18:35 Wolverhampton

Friday 31 August 2018

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

Sun Racing Handicap

Off time: 18:35 | Winning time: 1m 58.84s

(7)

Rock Icon²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: J Hughes| OR: 82| CD

13/2

Consistent sort who has three wins, including one at this track, to his name this year and ran up to his best at Brighton last time. Handicap mark continues to rise, but he goes well for his 7lb claimer.

Form: 313132

(2)

Universal Gleam³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: M Harley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 81| BF| D

13/2

Won a novice contest at Ayr in June and two subsequent efforts, latterly in handicap company, at that venue have been pleasing. Has to prove himself on the AW, but is so lightly raced that he surely has improvement in him.

Form: 4123

(5)

Glendun^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ryan Tate| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 72

14/1

Kempton AW winner last October, but has been struggling on turf this year. Down to a lenient handicap mark if this return to an artificial surface has a beneficial effect.

Form: 163-945

(1)

Parting Clouds²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 78| CD

11/10

First run in a handicap saw her land a C&D contest at the beginning of this month. Up 6lb, but has few miles on the clock and very useful claimer takes off 3lb.

Form: 3441

(4)

Thawry⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 77

33/1

French import who is 0-6 and makes his debut for a trainer with a decent record at this venue. This may well be a scouting mission and a watching brief is advised.

Form: 84-3244

(9)

The Throstles¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: K Frost| OR: 77| CD

7/2

All three wins have been recorded at this track, including over this distance on his last two runs. Has gone up a total of 16lb for those two successes, but he is on the upgrade and has to enter calculations.

Form: 954811

(6)

Ice Canyon^h⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Jones| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 68

28/1

Chester winner three starts ago, but has been held off this mark at that venue on his last two outings. Record of 0=9 on the AW is a worry, but he is not without hope.

Form: 707137

(3)

Flood Defence¹²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: I Jardine| OR: 68

16/1

Handicap wins at Doncaster and Sandown for Chris Wall last season, but flopped on his return to action at Windsor and has his first run for a new trainer. Jockey booking suggests he is fancied to go well.

Form: 13419-8

(8)

Rebel Cause¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Ffrench| T: J R Holt| OR: 67| CD

18/1

Decent efforts on turf this year give every optimism that return to the scene of his only success could see him make a bold bid. Each-way claims off lenient mark.

Form: 78-6434

Forecasts

Parting Clouds (11/10), The Throstles (7/2), Rock Icon (13/2), Universal Gleam (13/2), Glendun (14/1), Flood Defence (16/1), Rebel Cause (18/1), Ice Canyon (28/1), Thawry (33/1)

Flood Defence should do better this time and The Throstles has to go on the short list in his bid for a C&D hat-trick, but both are taken on with REBEL CAUSE, whose only win came at this track. He can add to that success off a lenient mark following some sound efforts on turf. Others who can make their presence felt include Rock Icon, Universal Gleam and the unexposed Parting Clouds, who may be worth opposing at a short price.