18:15 Wolverhampton

Monday 30 July 2018

All17:1017:4518:1518:5019:2520:0020:3021:00

John Jones Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:19 | Winning time: 1m 14.27s

(13)

Katheefa¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 74| BF| D

9/2

1lb higher than latest solid display when runner-up over C&D two weeks ago and a similar effort should see this grey gelding go close once again.

Form: 065252

(10)

Delilah Park¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: David Probert| T: C G Cox| OR: 74| BF| C

12/1

Won maiden over 7f here in November and didn't seem obvioulsy to benefit from the drop back to this trip last time out when fourth at Kempton in April. Returns from a break and represents good yard so worth a market check for any confidence.

Form: 641-424

(9)

Lexington Times³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 74| D

10/1

Probably better at 7f and has a poor strike rate of just 3-53 to date. Makes debut for new yard here and has been dropped 2lb since last outing.

Form: 072905

(1)

The Amber Fort²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: A Mullen| T: M Herrington| OR: 73| CD

8/1

Both career wins have come over this course and distance so has to be considered having failed by just a short-head at Pontefract on penultimate start. Modest effort back there latest run but at this venue has a fair chance.

Form: 212926

(6)

Kamra^b1,t⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: H Spiller| OR: 72

11/1

On 19-race losing streak and hopes rest on a change of scenery bringing about some improvement as he makes his debut for a new yard. On balance others are preferred.

Form: 433830

(4)

Varsovian^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 72| CD

10/1

Going for a four-timer after wins in two sellers and a claimer, the last two coming over this C&D. Only 2lb higher than last handicap success so, given current form, has to be a major player.

Form: 404111

(8)

Central City^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: H Palmer| OR: 75| CD

13/2

Three-year-old taking on older horses, won over C&D last September off identical mark and wasn't disgraced here last time off 2lb higher. Should be thereabouts.

Form: 2-27005

(12)

Our Man In Havana¹¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: R J Price| OR: 74| CD

25/1

Two of three career wins have come at this venue and returns now from a break having been gelded in April. Not out of it on best form but is drawn wide so will do well to win from there.

Form: 425346

(11)

Royal Connoisseur²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68| CD

20/1

Seven-time winner including last time when hacked up over course and distance. 8lb higher but a repeat of latest run would still give him leading claims.

Form: 5-04781

(7)

Nibras Again²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: I Mohammed| OR: 67

6/1

Jockey booking catches the eye but will do well to break his maiden here at the 16th attempt despite a fair run on turf at Nottingham last time out.

Form: 7-20593

(2)

Invisible Storm¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W Stone| OR: 69| CD

7/1

Still unexposed three-year-old filly who won on her third career start in novice event over C&D last time. This is tougher but there could be better to come and has to be on the short list.

Form: 471

Non-Runners

(3)

A Sure Welcome¹⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: J L Spearing J: J Quinn

(5)

Jorvik Prince¹⁴

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: K Tutty J: Gemma Tutty

Forecasts

Katheefa (9/2), Nibras Again (6/1), Central City (13/2), Invisible Storm (7/1), The Amber Fort (8/1), Varsovian (10/1), Lexington Times (10/1), Kamra (11/1), Delilah Park (12/1), Royal Connoisseur (20/1), A Sure Welcome (20/1), Jorvik Prince (20/1), Our Man In Havana (25/1)

A tricky contest in which a narrow vote goes to A SURE WELCOME who is 4-6 at this track and can bounce back from a luckless run last time. The filly Invisible Storm did it well in novice company ove course and distance recently and isn't overburdened for her handicap bow so could be dangerous, as too could Royal Connoisseur, who hacked up here last time. Top weight Katheefa and the in-form Varsovian are others with claims in an interesting contest.