14:50 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2515:5516:2516:55

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 1m 58.31s

(2)

Court House²⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: N Mackay| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105

5/4

Dawn Approach colt was progressive early in the year, winning on the AW at Newcastle and Lingfield. Last spotted finishing second in competitive Epsom handicap (1m2f, good to soft) in June. Should be more to come.

Form: 2-11222

(4)

Pactolus^h,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 99| CD

7/2

Footstepsinthesand gelding, better than ever at the age of seven with wins at Yarmouth and Kempton (AW) over a mile in the autumn. Poor in hat-trick attempt in November, stays this far now upped in trip after short break.

Form: 228110

(6)

Mythical Madness^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| CD

14/1

Remains on a quite a high mark but would go close if reproducing his second at Lingfield three starts back. Bit disappointing since but could bounce back.

Form: 307265

(3)

Ventura Knight⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98

9/1

Not the most consistent, but is a talented performer on his day (as a couple of quick wins in Scotland during the month of July testify); remains fairly unexposed on the AW (0-4); could have a challenge in him.

Form: 143005

(5)

Nonios^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: F Sweeney| T: D M Simcock| OR: 95| CD

9/1

Improved performer on the AW this year, showing particular good form at Chelmsford in the summer. Good second at Lingfield (1m2f) this month off a break, failing to match easy winner. In the mix from the same mark.

Form: 172442

(1)

Contrast¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Nathan Evans| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 89

20/1

Now dropped below previous winning mark for Richard Hannon before leaving for 24,000 gns but has never got involved in three starts for current yard. Others preferred.

Form: 977066

(8)

Mr Top Hat⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 90

9/2

Very consistent turf handicapper, just 1-18 but placed a further 11 times. Worth noting switched to the AW, for all that this sort of trip asks a question of stamina (win was over 6f).

Form: 527224

Non-Runners

(7)

Calling Out¹³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: D M Simcock J: George Bass

Forecasts

Court House (5/4), Pactolus (7/2), Mr Top Hat (9/2), Calling Out (9/2), Ventura Knight (9/1), Nonios (9/1), Mythical Madness (14/1), Contrast (20/1)

COURT HOUSE could be hard to beat here if fully wound up on first start since June. A dual AW winner earlier in the year for John Gosden, the Dawn Approach colt chased home Old Persian in Listed fare at Newmarket before running an excellent second at Epsom in a strong handicap. Mr Top Hat will be a threat if handed the controls from the front while Pactolus has to be respected if forgiving his tame run at Kempton last month. David Simcock's Nonios will be fitter here and should have place claims alongside Chelmsford winner Calling Out.