16:25 Wolverhampton

Saturday 10 March 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 1m 13.55s

(6)

Lancelot Du Lac^h³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 107| D

11/4

Winner of the Stewards Cup at Goodwood in August (6f soft), and a seven time winner in 16 starts on synthetics, so heads the weights with good reason. Not far off the principals at Lingfield latest (sixth). First start on Tapeta.

Form: 40150-6

(5)

Suzi's Connoisseur^h,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: P J McDonald| T: S C Williams| OR: 94| D

12/1

Very capable horse who mixes it in competitive handicaps on each and every racecourse appearance. Finished down the field in a 7f handicap at Newcastle won by Straight Right latest, which was a race he'd won in 2017.

Form: 0703-50

(7)

Naadirr^v⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| BF| D

5/1

Dual Listed winner for previous trainer Marco Botti, but yet to strike in six starts for new connections. Beaten just a couple of necks when third to Perfect Pasture at Doncaster (6f) on his penultimate start in late October.

Form: 700836-

(8)

Swift Approval^b¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: S C Williams| OR: 93| D

6/1

One of a trio of stable representatives. Enjoyed a profitable winter campaign winning from a 2lb lower mark at Lingfield (7f) in January, beating Early Morning by ¾L. Disappointing at Newcastle latest and possibly vulnerable over this shorter trip.

Form: 29-2120

(1)

Erissimus Maximus^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: J Fanning| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 90| D

10/1

In fine fettle at the back end of the turf campaign notching a trio of successes at Yarmouth, Thirsk and Ascot (all over 5f). Up the weights and in grade, but hasn't had an overly taxing winter on the AW, so arrives fresh.

Form: 12119-3

(4)

Mickey^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: F Norton| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 89| C

7/2

Fairly lighted raced for his age after just ten career starts, with his sole success coming here in a 7f maiden in May 2016. Generally thereabouts, but handicapped accordingly, and was caught close home by Eljaddaaf at Lingfield (7f) latest.

Form: 227/0-42

(10)

Human Nature^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Milly Naseb⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 89| D

12/1

One of a trio of stable representatives. Beat Nautical Haven by 1¼L at Chelmsford in December (7f) and there's not much between the pair on revised terms. Also proved impossible to split dead-heating for second behind Eljaddaaf latest (6f).

Form: 221-562

(3)

Nautical Haven^p¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: K A Ryan| OR: 83| BF| D

10/1

Won just the once in 12 career starts, at York (6f) in July 2016, but regularly on the premises on the AW this winter and extremely closely matched with Human Nature. Saddle slipped over C&D latest, so that's safely ignored.

Form: 72-2228

(9)

Hammer Gun^v⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 82| D

16/1

AW regular (6 from 19), but strongest on Fibresand, as demonstrated when a neck winner of a 6f Class 4 Southwell handicap latest. Competes in a stronger contest from 4lb out of the handicap.

Form: 0014-71

Non-Runners

(2)

Udontdodou⁵⁰

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: R C Guest J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lancelot Du Lac (11/4), Mickey (7/2), Naadirr (5/1), Swift Approval (6/1), Udontdodou (7/1), Erissimus Maximus (10/1), Nautical Haven (10/1), Suzi's Connoisseur (12/1), Human Nature (12/1), Hammer Gun (16/1)

A competitive contest, but not a race in which a strong opinion can be formed with Stuart Williams saddling 33% of the field (3 from 9), and a number of the runners having shown their best form over either shorter (5f) or longer (7f) trips. Mickey is less experienced than most after just ten career starts, yet the handicapper still seems to have a decent handle on him, whilst Stewards Cup winner Lancelot Du Lac heads the weights with good reason. However, we'll have a go with the Kevin Ryan trained NAADIRR. He's not won for a while, but is a two-time Listed winner, appears to handle the AW, and we know that 6f is his optimum trip.