16:45 Wolverhampton

Tuesday 30 October 2018

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 38.84s

(2)

Roc Astrale^p1,t³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: L Morris| T: P S McEntee| OR: 70

25/1

Third of four on debut for this yard at Chelmsford over 2m but no improvement when dropped back to 1m5f there last time out, and drops further in trip. Slipping in weights, and cheekpieces tried now, but not convincing.

Form: 3-45938

(4)

Saumur^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: D J Coakley| OR: 68| D

7/1

Almost always giver her running, and good second over C&D in July. Placed on all three starts since, albeit no match for easy winner at Bath last time, and her consistency makes her vulnerable.

Form: 4-72332

(11)

Let's Be Happy^b⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Stronge| OR: 68| CD

33/1

Dual C&D winner in the summer, and 4lb higher than for last win. Has run poorly on last two starts (once over hurdles), but return to this track and trip gives her a degree of hope.

Form: 561129

(7)

Vivernus⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: A Mullen| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 68

22/1

Returned to form with a shock 20/1 win over 1m2f at Newcastle in September, beating Exclusive Waters by 1¾L. Excused latest defeat there after meeting trouble in running, and has shaped as if worth a try at this trip.

Form: 385010

(3)

Arabic Culture¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 67

7/2

Looks to be getting his act together having been patiently handled, finishing well over shorter here on penultimate start before winning over 1m3f at Kempton. Likely to have more to come, and one for the shortlist.

Form: 4-8061

(8)

Enmeshing¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 64| CD

12/1

Won off this mark over C&D in June, and back to form ridden aggressively over 1m3f at Kempton last time, finishing 1½L third of 12 to Arabic Culture. Should remain competitive.

Form: 138633

(9)

Blue Reflection²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 69| D

7/1

Took a couple of goes to get to grips with handicaps, but much improved when winning over 1m4f at Kempton last time, and third home has won since, suggesting the form is very solid. One to keep on side.

Form: 403441

(5)

Verdigris¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 69

10/1

Third at Chelmsforf (1m) in August, but yet to build on that in handicaps, although caught the eye over 1m1½f here last time, and breeding suggests she could do better at this trip.

Form: 82395

(6)

Show Of Force⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 67

50/1

Won over 1m2f at Cheptow (good to firm) in July but not shown much under revised marks since, with latest effort a backward step. Plenty to prove all of a sudden.

Form: 451688

(1)

Warofindependence⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Kate Leahy⁽⁷⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 57| CD

50/1

Off the mark at the 16th attempt over C&D in May, and generally respectable efforts since, but well below best last time, and easy enough to oppose on overall record.

Form: 134444

(12)

Buckland Boy^p⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 62| BF

2/1

Heavily supported at Kempton (1m4f) last time, and showed much improved form, pulling 6L clear with another improver. Clearly well treated off the same mark, and much respected despite a wide draw.

Form: 057492

(10)

Raven's Raft¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: D Loughnane| OR: 59| C

18/1

Improved when winning weaker handicap over 1m1½f here early this month, and confirmed that progress when third over same trip here last time. May well stay further, but this looks much tougher.

Form: 442413

Forecasts

Buckland Boy (2/1), Arabic Culture (7/2), Saumur (7/1), Blue Reflection (7/1), Verdigris (10/1), Enmeshing (12/1), Raven's Raft (18/1), Vivernus (22/1), Roc Astrale (25/1), Let's Be Happy (33/1), Show Of Force (50/1), Warofindependence (50/1)

BUCKLAND BOY is ahead of his mark having pulled well clear of the field when a close second at Kempton last time, and he can strike while the iron's hot. Blue Reflection and Arabic Culture are recent winners with the scope to improve further, so look the main threats to the selection.