19:45 Wolverhampton

Thursday 29 March 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Handicap

Off time: 20:14 | Winning time: 1m 59.25s

(8)

Dutch Uncle^b²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 82| BF| CD

7/2

Has gone close last three runs (all at Lingfield) over similar trip to this. Last win came over C&D in February 2017 off a 2lb higher mark and should be thereabouts granted the run of the race.

Form: 07-4223

(2)

Illustrissime²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: I Furtado| OR: 81| D

18/1

Ex-French gelding who didn't show a great deal on first start for current yard at Kempton earlier this month, although that was his first outing since last June. Entitled to strip fitter now but has something to prove.

Form: 1835/0-0

(4)

Copper Baked¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 79

33/1

Won twice for current trainer then sent to race in France before returning to original handler after just one start. Races off 10lb higher mark than last British handicap so doesn't look particularly well in but not discounted despite that.

Form: 442120-

(10)

King Kevin^b⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 78| CD

7/2

0-6 on turf but has been a revelation on AW this winter scoring five times, including three over C&D. Narrowly beaten off 3lb higher mark last week, so remains feasibly handicapped if exertions don't take their toll.

Form: 122312

(1)

Manchego^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: J A Osborne| OR: 73| CD

6/1

Won Wolverhampton maiden for Hugo Palmer last season before joining current handler in February. Not run badly in two starts since move and is now 9lb lower so a bold show would not surprise.

Form: 0090-54

(5)

Rubensian²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 73| CWS

14/1

Won twice in 2016 over 12f, including at this track, but had a poor time of things and was regressive last term. First run now since wind operation so may bounce back off reduced mark. Jockey booking takes the eye.

Form: 9/44567-

(3)

Tan Arabiq⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M Appleby| OR: 68| CD

5/1

Scored over C&D in January 2017, and again showed liking for this track when landing 12f handicap here in December. Drops back in trip now and has claims if running to best mark. Yard remains in decent nick.

Form: 812-853

(7)

My Fantasea^p1³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 67| CD

7/2

Scrambled home over course and distance last month after being well supported. Runner-up has won twice since so form looks solid. 7lb higher now so has to improve and has been fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 407-821

Non-Runners

(6)

Mouille Point¹⁸⁰

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: R Hannon J: Tom Marquand

(9)

Woodukheleyfit⁴⁵⁸

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: S Kirk J: Edward Greatrex

Forecasts

My Fantasea (7/2), King Kevin (7/2), Dutch Uncle (7/2), Tan Arabiq (5/1), Manchego (6/1), Rubensian (14/1), Mouille Point (14/1), Illustrissime (18/1), Woodukheleyfit (25/1), Copper Baked (33/1)

This is an interesting event in which narrow prefence is for MOUILLE POINT whose pedigree suggests she might well take to this surface. King Kevin is an obvious danger having been in tremendous form this winter and he is expected to run well again, as should top weight Dutch Uncle. The handicapper may have the measure of My Fantasea, but Rubensian and Copper Baked are both feasibly weighted and may not be far away.