15:20 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 28 February 2018

All14:1514:4515:2015:5016:2516:55

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 2m 4.49s

(1)

King Kevin^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 75| CD

8/11

Three of his four career wins have been over C&D and he has shown improved form this winter. Thereabouts in defeats at both Chelmsford and Lingfield lately and despite another 3lb rise he can't be ruled out at this track.

Form: 121-122

(6)

Echo Brava¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: R Winston| T: J & S Best| OR: 73| C

12/1

Without an All Weather win since scoring here over 1m6f in 2014 from a 5lb higher mark. No question that all his best form has been over further than this and recent form leaves him a fair bit to do despite latest 4lb drop.

Form: 524/777

(4)

Perceived²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 63

15/2

0-10 on All Weather but placed four times and wasn't far off causing a 33-1 upset over C&D last month from today's mark. Dipped below that level at Newcastle last time, but if she can step up again she has each-way claims.

Form: 8205-33

(5)

Golconda Prince¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: F Norton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 62

3/1

14-race maiden, placed on eight occasions on turf. Made AW debut at Lingfield last time when 3½L ninth over a similar trip on first start post-wind surgery. 2lb drop should help and market check advised.

Form: 32238-9

(7)

Sword of The Lord^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 61

28/1

The last winning he did was in a Perth novices' chase in 2016. Back on the All Weather in recent outings and has dropped 9lb for those two runs, when well held. Others preferred.

Form: 1282/89

(3)

Thecornishbarron¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 60| D

100/1

First start for this trainer and goes into this 3lb lower than when last seen on All Weather at Kempton in September. Career-best came over this sort of trip at Chelmsford in 2016, but form has tailed off and fitness also to prove.

Form: 705300

(2)

Blue Rocks⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 52| C

40/1

Scored here over 5f last spring from 5lb lower, though has not been able to match that form since. Has much more of a sprint pedigree than one for middle distances and not sure he will have the stamina for this.

Form: 5379-97

Forecasts

King Kevin (8/11), Golconda Prince (3/1), Perceived (15/2), Echo Brava (12/1), Sword of The Lord (28/1), Blue Rocks (40/1), Thecornishbarron (100/1)

Golconda Prince is interesting here on his second start after wind surgery and his return run was respectable enough. Support for him may prove to be significant, though the suggestion is to stick with the in-form KING KEVIN. Ed Dunlop's four-year-old has improved during the winter months and although he is up another 3lb after being beaten, you couldn't confidently rule out him finding the necessary. Perceived and Sword Of The Lord should be able to join battle for some prize money.