16:00 Wolverhampton

Friday 31 August 2018

All15:2516:0016:3017:0517:3518:0518:3519:05

Renault Clio Handicap

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 1m 14.37s

(8)

Strictly Carter^t,v³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 54| CD

11/1

Fair placed efforts on turf this summer, but is fully effective on the AW and handicap mark is feasible. Each-way prospects once again.

Form: 063343

(2)

Compton Prince^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: J M Bradley| OR: 54| CD

50/1

Winner of nine races, but not getting any younger and recent efforts have been underwhelming, Needs to stage a revival.

Form: 970690

(1)

Alqalsar^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: J M Bradley| OR: 53

50/1

Has shown very little since joining current trainer from Brian Meehan. Drops in trip off much-reduced handicap mark, but has questions to answer.

Form: 2-80590

(9)

Athassel⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Gina Mangan⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 52| CD

6/1

Enjoyed a fruitful 2017, but has drawn a blank this year and is on a long, losing run. Hinted at a return to form over 7f at this venue last time and warrants respect.

Form: 007862

(12)

Fairway To Heaven⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: L Carter| OR: 52| D

5/1

Enough decent efforts this year to suggest that the flame still burns. Two good recent runs at this venue give him each-way prospects under the champion jockey, but wide draw a concern.

Form: 502636

(5)

John Joiner^v⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: S L Keightley| OR: 52

22/1

Best run in three attempts for current trainer when third of seven in a first-time visor over 5f at Goodwood. Bit to prove stepped up in trip on this return to the AW.

Form: 439-693

(7)

Amberine^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: M S Saunders| OR: 49| BF| D

10/1

Winner at Bath in July, but has been held in two subsequent starts off higher marks. Failed to shine on previous run on the AW, but that was over 7f.

Form: 637136

(3)

Monsieur Mel^h²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 48

13/2

Maiden after 13 starts, but shaped well when a close third over C&D last time. Has gone up 2lb, but can figure if replicating that recent display from handy draw.

Form: 530833

(11)

Asheena^b,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J F Egan| T: P W D'Arcy| OR: 50

12/1

Bit hit and miss, but ran respectably when fourth of 11 over 5f at Yarmouth earlier this month. Effective over this trip and ran quite well on only outing at this track.

Form: 602684

(4)

Ancient Astronaut^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁷⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 45| D

7/4

Irish raider who ran quite well, despite a troubled passage, on the AW at Dundalk a fortnight ago. Can go well off a 1lb lower mark from decent draw.

Form: 595705

Non-Runners

(6)

Pillar²

Weight: 9-12| Age: 5

T: A McGuinness J: Non Runner

(10)

Beau Rocko²⁰

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: A McGuinness J: Non Runner

(13)

Kyllukey⁴³

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: J M Bradley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ancient Astronaut (7/4), Fairway To Heaven (5/1), Pillar (5/1), Beau Rocko (11/2), Athassel (6/1), Monsieur Mel (13/2), Amberine (10/1), Strictly Carter (11/1), Asheena (12/1), Kyllukey (14/1), John Joiner (22/1), Compton Prince (50/1), Alqalsar (50/1)

Ancient Astronaut looks the best of three Irish challengers and can hit the frame, but this may be fought out by MONSIEUR MEL and Asheena, who both give the impression they have more to offer and are proven on this surface. Athassel may be ready to return to last year's form and is one to note in the betting.