18:15 Wolverhampton
Tuesday 29 January 2019
All16:3517:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15
Betway Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 6f 20y | Standard | 12 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 18:16 | Winning time: 1m 13.07s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Without an AW win (0-5) but was beaten just a head and a short-head on his sole previous Wolverhampton outing (5f) in March 2017; blinkers applied on return from a 91-day absence.
Two years on from his last success (over C&D) he's fallen 17lb in the weights; slowly away but stayed on to finish 4½L third to Dark Alliance (runs earlier) in a 7f classified claimer here latest; drawn wide in stall 13.
Winner of a 6f classified claimer at Windsor in October (good to soft) he again excelled in that grade latest when finishing runner-up to Dark Alliance (today's rival Fast Track third); 6f is his optimum trip.
Speedy filly who boasts an unbeaten record at this track - going 3-3 for previous handler Lee Smyth; low-key in a couple of runs for this trainer and now steps up in trip wearing a newly-applied hood; handily drawn.
Former Aidan O'Brien inmate who was a C&D winner (novice stakes) on debut for Henry Spiller in December 2017; boasts bits and pieces of reasonable form since - mainly over 6f; also declared to race here on Monday (7.55pm).
3-13 on the AW although is yet to score beyond 5f; made much of the running until deep inside the final furlong when finishing a close-up fourth of five to Aguerooo in a 6f Class 5 handicap at Lingfield ten days ago.
Firmly in the shake up on a couple of occasions of late, including when a staying on third to Deeds Not Words at Lingfield (6f); probable that he's capable of winning off this mark (67), although could prefer a shorter trip.
Been with a few trainers in his time and perfectly fair to state that we're still awaiting lift-off for the very capable Archie Watson; 1-25 on the AW so the percentages alone favour others.
Notched a second C&D win in the space of three months when making all to gamely fend off The Establishment by a short-head in December; off for 43-days since; reappears off a 2lb higher mark for a new handler having left the care of Ian Williams.
Struggled for form throughout much of 2018 and it was a similar scenario on debut for this trainer at his much favoured Newcastle last week; eye-shields now applied seeking a revival.
Versatile type in terms of trip with all three of his AW wins coming on Tapeta at Dunstall Park (5f, 6f and 7f); 1lb higher than when beating Red Stripes by ½L over the minimum trip here in November; more modest since.
2019 has already proved to be a good year for this mare and she seeks the hat-trick following a pair of Class 6 C&D wins; 3lb higher than when clinging on to beat Always Amazing by a neck 15-days ago.
Non-Runners
9
(12)
Tavener3
Weight: 9-2| Age: 7
T: D C Griffiths J: M Dwyer
NR
Forecasts
Mount Wellington (7/2), Independence Day (7/2), Santafiora (5/1), Zapper Cass (9/1), Fast Track (10/1), Big Time Maybe (12/1), Van Gerwen (14/1), Ty Rock Brandy (14/1), Our Man In Havana (18/1), Letmestopyouthere (20/1), Tavener (20/1), Turanga Leela (25/1), Rock Warbler (33/1)
A devilishly difficult looking handicap with the only certainty being an abundance of early pace. Both Santafiora and Turanga Leela have shown recent productive Wolverhampton form, whilst the Irish-raider Ty Rock Brandy is 3-3 at this track (all over 5f) for former trainer Lee Smyth. Independence Day should prove capable of winning a race from his current mark (67) although that could come over the minimum trip, so we'll chance the more versatile OUR MAN IN HAVANA in hope of a return to form and reward at potentially tasty odds.
- Our Man In Havana
- Independence Day
- Santafiora
Prize Money
1st: £3,752.002nd: £1,116.003rd: £558.004th: £400.005th: £400.006th: £400.007th: £400.008th: £400.00
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