14:10 Wolverhampton

Monday 9 July 2018

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:1516:5017:2017:55

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Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 1m 15.80s

(1)

Champagne Bob²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Price| OR: 60| D

8/1

Successful three times in 2017, but operating a notch or two below his best at present. Excuses for latest effort at Chepstow (hampered), and drops in grade now, but others preferred.

Form: 16-6076

(8)

Charleston Belle⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: M Wigham| OR: 59

9/2

Runner-up on racecourse bow at Windsor for Giles Bravery, but yet to build on that effort. Probably needed run when eighth of 14 to Viola Park in handicap at Kempton for new yard in May, though, so may yet do better.

Form: 25453-8

(13)

Racquet²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 58| D

20/1

Best efforts for current yard on easy turf, and won in the mud at Wetherby in April. Well below form in subsequent starts, however, and opposable on balance of form.

Form: 0-71708

(12)

Langley Vale³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 58| CD

14/1

Successful on two of his four starts over C&D (in 2016), and latest win at Bath in September. Best effort this year when fifth of 13 to Vincenzo Coccotti at Bath last time, and has fallen to a tempting mark.

Form: 718-065

(6)

Unnoticed²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: A Mullen| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 56| C

4/1

Record in handicaps reads 0-34, and he is not one to trust in a battle. Ran well when third at Thirsk in May, but not so good since, and easy to oppose as a rule.

Form: 233300

(9)

Spin Top⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: W R Muir| OR: 55

9/1

Went close on debut for current yard at Chelmsford in November, and some respectable efforts since. Better than result after a break at Lingfield last time, but needs to raise his game to be competitive.

Form: 327-655

(5)

Spenny's Lass¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Fahy| T: J Ryan| OR: 60

8/1

Standout effort to date when second at Yarmouth last month, but she's inconsistent, and followed that with a poor run at Windsor. Percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 33-8528

(4)

Diamond Pursuit^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: J Hughes| OR: 58| C

7/1

Won a 7f nursery here in November, and back to form when fourth of 10 to Harrison Stickle at Brighton last time. Needs to prove she can build on that, although refitting of blinkers could help.

Form: 468094

(7)

Liamba²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 57

7/1

Signs of ability in maiden and novice company but hasn't really stepped up since going handicapping on last two starts. Still early days, though, and half-brother Philba improved markedly for switch from turf to AW.

Form: 5-5455

(11)

Bee Machine^t³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Carroll| OR: 54| BF

10/1

Back with a bang when staying on from an unpromising position to win at Catterick (7f) in April, and coped well with drop to 6f when beaten in tight finish there last time. Should remain competitive.

Form: 056-183

(3)

Sir Geoffrey^b³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 8-10| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 46| C| D

16/1

Won at Southwell in January, but has struggled to make an impact since, and behind Bee Machine when eighth at Catterick last time. Return to AW may help, but others may have the legs of him again.

Form: 564708

(10)

Henrietta's Dream^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Nathan Evans| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

66/1

Almost sprung a huge shock in a 6f maiden at Redcar in the autumn, but that effort seems to flatter her, and she's been soundly beaten in handicaps since.

Form: 0420-08

(2)

Rojina⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 45

100/1

Poor maiden on balance, and temperamental to boot, planting herself at the start here on penultimate outing. Best avoided.

Form: 608-605

Forecasts

Unnoticed (4/1), Charleston Belle (9/2), Liamba (7/1), Diamond Pursuit (7/1), Spenny's Lass (8/1), Champagne Bob (8/1), Spin Top (9/1), Bee Machine (10/1), Langley Vale (14/1), Sir Geoffrey (16/1), Racquet (20/1), Henrietta's Dream (66/1), Rojina (100/1)

Langley Vale has a decent record here, winning twice over C&D from four tries. He hinted at a revival last time, so must be high on the shortlist in what is a weak race for the numbers. Bee Machine has improved in handicaps, and is best not judged on his previous run on Tapeta, but the final vote goes to LIAMBA, whose half-brother Philba is much better on AW than turf, and David O'Meara's unexposed filly has shown enough to suggest she can win handicaps from her current mark.