19:45 Wolverhampton

Monday 5 March 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Betway Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 2m 37.43s

(5)

Soldier In Action¹⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| C| D

4/1

Has a 50% strike rate on AW surfaces, one of his wins coming on this one. Underlined his stamina with a 2m Kempton win in November. Up 2lb for that and no major concerns over return to this trip, so should be capable of a bold showing.

Form: 105641-

(1)

Port Douglas³²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Raul Da Silva| T: P & O Cole| OR: 100

18/1

Without a win since taking the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh as a juvenile. Has recently been competitive in Singapore and runs in his first British handicap on stable debut. Market check suggested to gauge confidence from reduced mark.

Form: 205/606-

(6)

Mount Tahan²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 100| C

13/2

Has run well on all four starts here, winning two of them over 1m1½f. Has been improving throughout the winter and as half-brother to a 1m4f winner, there is optimism that he can see out this longer trip and further progress not ruled out. Claims.

Form: P021-12

(7)

Celestial Spheres^p³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: M Harley| T: C Appleby| OR: 95| D

11/8

Arrives for his first run at this track chasing a hat-trick after winning twice over this trip at Lingfield. Has gone up 4lb for that, but probably had a little bit more up his sleeve as he did not appear to do lots in front. Short-listed.

Form: 1/5101-1

(3)

Al Hamdany^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 95| D

3/1

His wins have been at Chelmsford and Kempton, but he does act here and went close over C&D in December when 2lb lower. 7lb claimed off his back today, which could help and given that he has been competitive recently, that again looks likely.

Form: 5122-44

(4)

Diodorus^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 91

14/1

Won a Dundalk maiden (1m2½f) for Aidan O'Brien in July before joining current trainer, for whom he has run well on both starts. Gets this trip and acts at the track, so he looks interesting in headgear from 1lb lower mark.

Form: 2/4314-4

(2)

Baz^p1⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-5| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 80

100/1

Sees out 1m3f and most wins have been over slightly shorter than that, while he has yet to fully prove himself over this far. Was not in sparkling form in France in the autumn and a watching brief looks best on debut for this stable.

Form: 5/59335-

Forecasts

Celestial Spheres (11/8), Al Hamdany (3/1), Soldier In Action (4/1), Mount Tahan (13/2), Diodorus (14/1), Port Douglas (18/1), Baz (100/1)

Unquestionably the best race on the card and in which SOLDIER IN ACTION gets the vote. It may be significant that Adam Kirby, who rode Al Hamdany on his latest start, switches to the Mark Johnston-trained runner this evening and even without that information, the five-year-old has some very solid form and acts at the track. Celestial Spheres has it to prove on the surface, but if he goes on it then he would be feared, while Mount Tahan and Diodorus are others with claims in a good contest.