16:25 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 28 February 2018

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 14.21s

(8)

Afandem¹⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87| D

8/1

Former French Group 3 winner and beaten less than 2L in the 2016 Flying Childers when with Hugo Palmer. Gelded prior to this debut for another top yard. On recent form, he is not easy to fancy, but the market might help with signs of any revival.

Form: 808900-

(3)

Nautical Haven^p1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 83| D

9/4

Won a 6f York maiden in 2016. Has so far been unable to add a handicap to that and is proving frustrating for followers this winter. Tries this surface/cheek pieces for first time today and would not be winning out of turn. Claims.

Form: V72-222

(6)

Upavon³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: A W Carroll| OR: 83| D

6/1

You have to go back to April 2015 for his latest AW success, though he has enjoyed several turf wins since. Arrives in good recent form from narrow defeats at Lingfield and Chelmsford but 2lb nudge up demands even more from him.

Form: 583-832

(7)

Rose Berry^h¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Josephine Gordon| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 81

7/2

Sole AW win was at Lingfield (5f) in 2016 and was beaten just ½L there from only 1lb lower in November. Has made the frame over C&D and may be capable of doing so again if she can return to her form of two starts ago.

Form: 36552-9

(2)

Espresso Freddo^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 81| C

6/1

Scored here over 7f in a maiden 13-months ago and has added two handicaps over that trip at Newcastle/Chelmsford since. Just 1lb higher today than a ½L defeat at the latter venue last month, though a bit to prove over this shorter trip.

Form: 504-129

(1)

Bahamian Dollar¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 81| D

8/1

0-5 on the All Weather so far. This is his first start here, though some encouragement from his 2L second on Tapeta at Newcastle (6f) last year. Fitness to prove after four-month break and one to watch unless market vibes very positive.

Form: 355630-

(5)

Union Rose^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: R Harris| OR: 79| C

14/1

All four wins have been over the minimum trip, so will need to break that stat if he is to succeed today. Scored here when 2lb higher in December. Not disgraced elsewhere since and back on a good mark, though record over this far not ideal.

Form: 016-735

(4)

Jacob's Pillow¹²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 77| D

25/1

Returns fresh after a break since October and is 11lb higher than when last seen on the All Weather. Best form in this sphere has largely been at Southwell. Has to prove himself on this surface and probably one to watch until we know more.

Form: 203225-

Forecasts

Nautical Haven (9/4), Rose Berry (7/2), Upavon (6/1), Espresso Freddo (6/1), Afandem (8/1), Bahamian Dollar (8/1), Union Rose (14/1), Jacob's Pillow (25/1)

Frustrating though he has proved to be of late, NAUTICAL HAVEN is given another chance to win his first handicap in the hope that cheek pieces will help to nudge him home in front. Check the market for signs of a revival from the former Group 2-placed Afandem on his first outing for Mark Johnston, as he would be very well treated on that sort of form. Upavon may again have to settle for minor honours, with Rose Berry and Union Rose others of interest, though also with questions to answer.