15:20 Yarmouth

Wednesday 16 May 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:2518:00

norwichinns.com 'The Sign Of Excellence' Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 2m 6.07s

(4)

Raven Banner¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 62| BF| D

13/8

Dual Haydock winner over this trip (soft/good to firm) in 2016, the latest of those from 5lb higher. Went close over C&D (soft) last time out (front pair 4½L clear). Up 3lb for that with claimer now up and should be therebouts.

Form: 4/00-922

(6)

Bartholomew J⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 60| CD

7/2

Scored over both 1m4f at Lingfield and here over C&D (good to firm) last year, the latter from 6lb lower. Was beaten just 1L back here from 6lb higher than today later in the season, so if he can get back to that level he would have claims.

Form: 6885-53

(10)

Calm Charm¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: C F Wall| OR: 57

8/1

Hasn't shown a huge amount so far, including when last of six, beaten 11½L over C&D recently. Drops 3lb for this second handicap start, but plenty to do on that evidence.

Form: 885-6

(1)

Right About Now^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 55

9/2

Has dropped a total of 10lb after being uncompetitive in three recent starts, including one of those with the champion jockey up. Not easy to make a case for her, though optimism that longer trip could help her improve a bit.

Form: 200-805

(2)

Steel Helmet¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Bethell| OR: 48| D

10/1

1-21 and yet to make the frame on turf. Won a class 6 event at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) from 2lb lower last month. Well held from this mark at Wolverhampton over shorter last time but couldn't rule out a better effort.

Form: 055210

(9)

Street Art^b,t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: M Murphy| OR: 48| CD

16/1

Won the only previous running of this race last year (good) when 3lb higher and after a short break. Has failed to get within 11½L of the winner in six starts since then. Obvious claims if he can bounce back but clearly carries risks.

Form: 55600-0

(5)

Rebel Sky¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Gina Mangan⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 46

66/1

Won a Chelmsford maiden (1m, Polytrack) in 2016 but hasn't managed to get competitive in handicaps in five starts this calendar year. 5lb drop won't harm and step up in trip should be fine but we need to see more.

Form: 1/97087

(3)

Careyanne^p,t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 45

25/1

Showed nothing in maidens or handicaps for Brian Baugh and it was as you were on her debut for this trainer at Thirsk last time. Step up in trip worth a try but lots to prove.

Form: 9879-90

(7)

Zarkavon⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

66/1

Made the frame for the only time in 15 attempts in a Newcastle handicap (1m2f, Tapeta) in February, albeit being a 7L second. Has been unable to build on that in two more runs and others are preferred.

Form: 7-99258

Non-Runners

(8)

Freewheel¹⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 8

T: N Tinkler J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Raven Banner (13/8), Bartholomew J (7/2), Right About Now (9/2), Calm Charm (8/1), Steel Helmet (10/1), Freewheel (10/1), Street Art (16/1), Careyanne (25/1), Rebel Sky (66/1), Zarkavon (66/1)

Very moderate fayre here and RAVEN BANNER looks to have a good opportunity for record a third career win. She is proven over C&D, on the forecast ground and although up 3lb for her latest effort the opposition does not look strong. Bartholomew J has claims if he can return to the best of last year's form, with Steel Helmet and Right About Now not ruled out. Last year's winner Street Art is on a dangerous mark if in that form again, but it is hard to get too excited about his chance on what we have seen since.