17:45 Wolverhampton

Saturday 19 January 2019

All16:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 1m 0.6s

(1)

It's All A Joke^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽⁷⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 75| D

8/1

Form looks in and out but he finished lame last time and 6f looked too far here three runs ago. Scored with some authority in between when suited to a fast run 5f. Regular rider on board and respected from a good draw.

Form: 51201-8

(6)

Rockies Spirit^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Danny Brock| T: D P Quinn| OR: 72| CD

16/1

Took advantage of a career low mark for a C&D success in November. Well held since and plenty to find with It's All A Joke on Lingfield running.

Form: 63417-7

(2)

A Sure Welcome^b⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Winston| T: J L Spearing| OR: 72| CD

5/1

Gained due reward for his consistency last time to increase his track record to 5-14. Better at 6f and has never won off a mark above 70.

Form: 75252-1

(3)

Katheefa^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 70

12/1

His best four runs out of his last ten have all come here so there is a good chance he will rebound from recent efforts. On the downside the drop to 5f could be an issue.

Form: 2020-68

(7)

Union Rose^p⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 70| CD

11/2

Five-time winner who goes well for this rider and has scored over C&D. Others look better treated and he has a bit to find with Rockies Spirit on running here in November.

Form: 658194-

(10)

Look Surprised⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 68| D

10/1

Dual turf winner in the summer who has shaped well here in the past. Closely matched with It's All A Joke on latest form and respected under a capable young rider.

Form: 113735-

(5)

Golden Salute¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 68| D

7/1

Hit a purple patch in the summer but not at her best during the colder months and looks held by It's All A Joke on last month's Lingfield run.

Form: 12/004-5

(8)

Midnightly^b1,t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Fran Berry| T: Rae Guest| OR: 67| CD

14/1

Four AW wins including two over C&D. Nicely weighted, but she has not looked a winner in waiting this winter and blinkers are applied to rectify that.

Form: 54469-9

(11)

Brandy Station^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Kevin Lundie⁽⁵⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 66| CD

7/1

Had the race set up nicely for him over C&D last time when getting up on the line. In better company here from a tougher draw.

Form: 314741-

(9)

Becker^h¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 66| D

6/1

Closely matched with the topweight on Lingfield running, but that rival had plenty in hand and is better drawn here.

Form: 37642-4

(4)

Entertaining Ben^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Nicola Currie| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 64| D

8/1

Made a bold bid from the front in weaker company last week and in danger of setting this race up for one of his rivals.

Form: 20790-2

Forecasts

A Sure Welcome (5/1), Union Rose (11/2), Becker (6/1), Golden Salute (7/1), Brandy Station (7/1), It's All A Joke (8/1), Entertaining Ben (8/1), Look Surprised (10/1), Katheefa (12/1), Midnightly (14/1), Rockies Spirit (16/1)

With Entertaining Ben likely to ensure a good gallop, then there are few reasons to oppose IT'S ALL A JOKE who scored with more authority than the winning margin suggested at Lingfield and he holds Becker, Rockies Spirit and Golden Salute on that form. True he did finish lame last time, but his trainer is unlikely to risk him if there are any doubts. Look Surprised is the main danger having not enjoyed the best of runs last time when behind the selection and in receipt of a good pull in the weights.