18:45 Wolverhampton

Saturday 6 October 2018

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

bet365 Handicap

Off time: 18:47 | Winning time: 1m 12.25s

(7)

Polybius¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 93| D

8/1

Generally frustrating but enjoyed first win for over three years when getting up on the line at Kempton. Up 4lb but he needs everything to fall right and be delivered as late as possible.

Form: 655421

(2)

Major Partnership⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 94| BF

4/5

Won two in a row following wind surgery after defeat on debut. Has been sent off favourite on all four starts and just pulled too hard over a mile at Newmarket. Progressive but first crack at a sprint distance.

Form: 2113

(9)

Squats⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Georgia Cox⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90| D

12/1

Held in four starts since winning at Newbury for the second year in a row. Remains 3lb higher than that mark and drop in trip is a query. Yet to place in nine runs on an AW surface.

Form: 610078

(4)

Tashaaboh⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 88| D

4/1

Has led for both wins but only just failed when running on well from behind at Lingfield. More required on handicap debut but he's progressed on all four starts and the manner of his Doncaster success suggests he could be better than this level.

Form: 61-21

(1)

Hammer Gun^v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 84| D

25/1

Comes here off the back of four poor runs. Has proven well suited by Southwell's fibresand and looks best watched till he returns there.

Form: 218800

(3)

Highland Acclaim^h⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 76| D

14/1

Gained career win number eight with latest Epsom success. Makes a quick reappearance under a 6lb penalty and likely to find life tougher, however drop in trip is a plus.

Form: 257491

(6)

King Robert^v⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: F Norton| T: B Smart| OR: 80| CD

10/1

Sole win on turf came way back in 2015. Hasn't raced badly on last two starts but this looks a tough ask upped in grade.

Form: 344846

(8)

Kodiline¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 79| CD

25/1

Up 6lb after a powerful late burst to win over this C&D and remains feasibly weighted. However needs a strong pace and everything to fall right and this is a much tougher race from 1lb out of the handicap.

Form: 084661

Non-Runners

(5)

Reputation¹²

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: J & S Quinn J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Major Partnership (4/5), Tashaaboh (4/1), Polybius (8/1), King Robert (10/1), Reputation (10/1), Squats (12/1), Highland Acclaim (14/1), Kodiline (25/1), Hammer Gun (25/1)

Reputation can lead but with generally hold up performers in opposition who often need a strong pace to be seen at their best, this could be a good opportunity for TASHAABOH to dominate from the front once again. He looked a smart sprinter in the making when winning at Doncaster and he's tactically versatile which is an added plus if taken on for the lead. Polybius can't be guaranteed to follow up his Kempton win but is likely to be thereabouts again while Major Partnership has speed in his pedigree and has been progressive so has to be respected for his powerful connections.