17:35 Wolverhampton

Friday 31 August 2018

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

Dacia Logan Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 1m 29.17s

(8)

Smugglers Creek^p³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 66| D

4/1

Has been running with credit on turf, particularly when winning at Ayr last month. Won on the AW when trained in Ireland and would of interest if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 440145

(6)

Newstead Abbey⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: M Harley| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 65| CD

12/1

Good recent form at this venue when trained by Michel Herrington, latterly when second in a 6f claimer. Starts out for a new trainer and is worthy of consideration.

Form: 128742

(9)

Grey Destiny^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 63| CD

6/1

Two C&D successes at the back end of last year and latest efforts suggest he is approaching his peak again. Up 4lb for finishing third of 11 last time, however.

Form: 760523

(10)

Stringybark Creek⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 63| C| D

7/1

Back-to-back wins at Beverley and Nottingham and was not disgraced off a higher mark at this venue two starts ago. Should be thereabouts again, but handicap rating may find him out.

Form: 341136

(1)

Viola Park^p³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: R Harris| OR: 61| CD

8/1

Good run at Lingfield three starts ago, but last two efforts at this track have not been of the same standard. Plenty to do despite falling mark.

Form: 210340

(2)

Sarangoo⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: M S Saunders| OR: 60| D

22/1

Experienced mare who has been a good servant to connections, but has not won since 2016. Likely to come up short again.

Form: 278640

(7)

Herm⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: P D Evans| OR: 59| CD

10/1

Both wins have come in C&D handicaps, but he paid the penalty for those successes and is without a win in five starts since. Behind Viola Park last time.

Form: 129345

(5)

Christmas Night²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 63| D

13/8

Only win in 17 starts came on turf. Recent efforts at Leicester and Catterick have been encouraging and he will not lack assistance from the saddle.

Form: 333623

(4)

Fossa^h²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Liam Jones| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 45| CD

66/1

Without a win in six runs this year and was last of 13 at this venue last time. Plenty to prove despite plummeting rating.

Form: 795360

(3)

Portrush Storm²⁹³

Age: 13| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: R E Peacock| OR: 45| C

100/1

Veteran performer who has done nothing in the last couple of seasons to suggest she is up to winning a race of this nature.

Form: 95/9759-

Forecasts

Christmas Night (13/8), Smugglers Creek (4/1), Grey Destiny (6/1), Stringybark Creek (7/1), Viola Park (8/1), Herm (10/1), Newstead Abbey (12/1), Sarangoo (22/1), Fossa (66/1), Portrush Storm (100/1)

Grey Destiny likes this C&D and would have been of serious interest but for his 4lb weight rise. He should still go well, a remark which also applies to the likes of Smugglers Creek and Stringybark Creek but, in a tight contest, the vote goes to NEWSTEAD ABBEY, who has been running well at this venue and may have been freshened up by a change of stable. Christmas Night, Viola Park and Herm are others to consider.