18:55 Wolverhampton

Monday 21 January 2019

All16:1516:5017:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:55 | Winning time: 2m 37.3s

(9)

Smiley Bagel¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 72| CD

8/1

Has won over C&D but well held off this mark lately and more now required. Still faces a stiff test under top weight even though the rider's 7lb claim can help.

Form: 32140-4

(5)

Stormy Blues^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D C Costello| T: N J Hawke| OR: 72

20/1

Behind Smiley Bagel on his return to the Flat at Lingfield last time out and has a good bit of work to do if he's going to reverse the form. Others more appealing.

Form: 020/6

(6)

Star Ascending^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: J Candlish| OR: 70| CD

11/2

Likes this course and shown signs of a revival of late. Positive jockey booking boosts his cause today but has form to reverse with Ice Canyon and needs to rise to the challenge.

Form: 74475-3

(3)

Brexitmeansbrexit²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 72

10/1

A winner on turf from a 2lb lower mark in August but form on the AW has been hit or miss recently. May be best watched on his first start on the Tapeta.

Form: 124696-

(1)

Ice Canyon^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: E J Walsh| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 68| CD

11/4

Ran on strongly to win here last time and left the impression he's one to keep on the right side for the time being. A 9lb higher mark means he has a stiff test to fend off Star Ascending but his attitude may well see him through.

Form: 90042-1

(7)

Carp Kid^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: J L Flint| OR: 70| C

6/1

Landed a handicap at Windsor from a 2lb lower mark last August and was gelded straight after. Might have needed the run when he was brushed aside at Kempton but more like his old self last time. One to bear in mind.

Form: 042194-

(8)

Sellingallthetime^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 65| D

12/1

Effective over this trip and has some placed form to his name at this course. Poor effort last time needs to be forgiven but the return to Dunstall Park is in his favour. Not discounted but does lack consistency.

Form: 33952-8

(4)

Champarisi¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 67| CD

5/1

C&D winner at the start of December and retained her form since. Sound claims on a literal reading of that previous course form and dangerous to omit form the betting plans. Well worth considering.

Form: 35414-2

(2)

Flood Defence²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 62

7/1

Not much to find to get involved in the shake-up here and well drawn to gain a handy position if forcing tactics are employed this time. Another to bear in mind even though she's yet to win a race on the All Weather tracks.

Form: 257543-

(10)

Fearaun¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 60

50/1

Irish form left a lot to be desired and was much the same story in the gelding's first start for her current trainer at Newcastle earlier this month. Hard to recommend on that performance.

Form: 74800-9

Forecasts

Ice Canyon (11/4), Champarisi (5/1), Star Ascending (11/2), Carp Kid (6/1), Flood Defence (7/1), Smiley Bagel (8/1), Brexitmeansbrexit (10/1), Sellingallthetime (12/1), Stormy Blues (20/1), Fearaun (50/1)

Bits and pieces of form tie a few of these together and the likes of Ice Canyon, Star Ascending and Flood Defence all merit a check in the betting. However, the in-form CHAMPARISI has plenty going for her and she may well be capable of adding to her tally over this C&D if she runs true to form.