17:45 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 30 January 2019

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Classified Claiming Stakes

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 2m 36.01s

(10)

Raashdy^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Hiatt| OR: 61| CD

28/1

Running just respectably in handicaps here this winter, and while this represents an easier task on paper, he won't find it easy conceding weight all round.

Form: 555065-

(5)

Your Band^p1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 69| BF| D

15/8

Hold-up performer who is in a fine vein of form at the moment, and was unsuited by the steady pace when third to Blazon over 2m here last time. This trip suits, and he ticks plenty of boxes. Cheekpieces added now.

Form: 222-213

(9)

Dream Magic²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: E J Walsh| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 62| CD

9/1

Won this corresponding contest a year ago, and respected on that basis. Hasn't been competitive in handicaps for some time, but easy enough to see him being revived, and market should reveal more.

Form: 58980-5

(7)

Epitaph^b²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 60| D

12/1

Often looks a hard ride and has just a solitary win to his name. Not badly treated on pick of his form, but remains reasonably easy to oppose for win purposes.

Form: 94556-7

(2)

Spring Dixie⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss N L-Beavis| OR: 35| D

300/1

Just a modest performer at best, and largely out of sorts at present, so hard to see her getting involved here.

Form: 9080-78

(8)

Gravity Wave¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: S Kirk| OR: 69| CD

10/3

Not at his very best of late, but this C&D winner looks very well treated by the conditions of this race, and he ought to go close if anywhere near peak form.

Form: 57076-8

(6)

Tha'ir¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 55| C

100/1

A very useful performer in his younger days, but now a shadow of his former self, and makes only limited appeal, even at this lowly level.

Form: 49000-0

(1)

Brigadoon²⁰³

Age: 12| Weight: 8-4| J: Liam Jones| T: M Appleby| OR: 67| D

14/1

Veteran who hasn't been spotted since winning at Bath in the summer. Well weighted on that evidence, but no sure to be in the same form, and he has a mixed record fresh.

Form: 383761-

(3)

Hussar Ballad⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 8-4| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁷⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 56| CD

7/1

Last win came over 1m6f here in October 2017. Patchy form last year, but caught the eye at Newcastle on last start, and is weighted to play a big part in this modest affair.

Form: 530504-

(4)

Pike Corner Cross¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁷⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 59| C

13/2

Won over 1m at Kempton in October, and not beaten far when third over 1m1½f here last month. Has stamina to prove at this trip, but respected in terms of current form.

Form: 21653-6

Forecasts

Your Band (15/8), Gravity Wave (10/3), Pike Corner Cross (13/2), Hussar Ballad (7/1), Dream Magic (9/1), Epitaph (12/1), Brigadoon (14/1), Raashdy (28/1), Tha'ir (100/1), Spring Dixie (300/1)

Gravity Wave ought to very close at these weights and is considered, as is C&D winner Hussar Ballad, who caught the eye on his latest start, but the vote goes to YOUR BAND, who is in a rich vein of form, and can continue his good run in first-time cheekpieces.