19:45 Wolverhampton

Saturday 19 January 2019

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

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 2m 37.70s

(10)

Rail Dancer^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Liam Jones| T: S L Keightley| OR: 60| D

16/1

His four victories in this country came in the first half of 2017. Has suffered a sharp decline since and hard to recommend at present.

Form: 080009-

(4)

Qayed^p1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S W Kelly| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 60

20/1

Didn't go on from debut promise for David Simcock, and yet to show enough for new yard to suggest he could play a significant role here. Cheekpieces on this time.

Form: 4/9698-0

(8)

Music Major^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Liam Keniry| T: M J Attwater| OR: 57

4/1

Has improved since his mark dropped below 60 and for moving up to this trip. Will be a big player if cheekpieces unlock a bit more.

Form: 078752-

(5)

Wallflower¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Fran Berry| T: Rae Guest| OR: 59| D

6/1

Hit hard by the handicapper having landed a gamble in emphatic style at Kempton and the fifth has won twice since. Beaten in France subsequently but back in calmer territory now.

Form: 25231-0

(2)

Iley Boy^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Joey Haynes| T: J Gallagher| OR: 56| CD

7/1

Has produced two big runs on his last two ventures in this grade. Scored at Kempton in November and finished a good fourth here a month ago when denied a clear run.

Form: 790174-

(9)

Tetradrachm^p,t1⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: R Menzies| OR: 55| D

25/1

Has been around a few trainers and owners in a career spanning just 16 races. Debuts for new yard over the trip which brought his only success, but the consensus since is that he wants 2m.

Form: 93/7060-

(11)

Apex Predator^b,t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: S Durack| OR: 57| CD

7/2

On a hat-trick having landed poor races here and at Kempton. A 3lb rise for his latest win, which looked comfortable, seems generous.

Form: 95771-1

(6)

Blue Skimmer⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: M M Monaghan| T: A Ralph| OR: 54

20/1

0-29 under both codes, but he produced a good run at Newcastle last winter over today's trip off 7lb higher. That performance gives him an each-way shout and he should be fitter after his first two runs for this yard.

Form: 3006/0-4

(3)

Warofindependence^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 53| CD

7/1

Off the mark at the 16th attempt over C&D in May and generally respectable efforts since. Looks held by Apex Predator on latest form.

Form: 444053-

(1)

Sosian^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 51

8/1

14-race maiden for whom blinkers had a positive effect here two weeks ago. Tackles a new trip here and not guaranteed to stay given her pedigree.

Form: 63550-5

(7)

Demophon³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: S Flook| OR: 47

12/1

14-race maiden who is held by Apex Predator on Kempton form two weeks ago. Lacks a bit of pace and, with no promise of a strong gallop, he may be found wanting again.

Form: 2504-48

(12)

Onda District¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 45

20/1

C&D third in the summer but has not reproduced that kind of effort in four runs since and he is without a win since 2015.

Form: 73898-4

Forecasts

Apex Predator (7/2), Music Major (4/1), Wallflower (6/1), Iley Boy (7/1), Warofindependence (7/1), Sosian (8/1), Demophon (12/1), Rail Dancer (16/1), Qayed (20/1), Blue Skimmer (20/1), Onda District (20/1), Tetradrachm (25/1)

The handicapper has been generous to Apex Predator but that probably reflects the low quality of the opposition he has faced. This looks stronger with Iley Boy having performed well on his last two runs at this level and WALLFLOWER bolting up at Kempton and the form being franked by the fifth since. Music Major has been in better form lately and is another for the shortlist, whilst Blue Skimmer and Onda District fall into the "capable on their day" category.