18:45 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 30 January 2019

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 1m 13.41s

(7)

Billyoakes^p⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: C Wallis| OR: 60| BF| C| D

7/1

Scored off 3lb lower mark at Lingfield last month, but just respectable efforts since, and looked rather idle when fourth at Chelmsford on latest start.

Form: 98916-4

(1)

Knockout Blow^p1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 60

15/2

Best recent effort when third in a 6f claimer at Lingfield earlier this month, and excuses when dropped in trip last time. Cheekpieces added now, and return to this trip ought to help.

Form: 8067-34

(3)

Cuban Spirit⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Nicola Currie| T: H Candy| OR: 59| CD

11/8

Well beaten on handicap bow here, but much improved when landing a C&D handicap last month, albeit helped by way race unfolded. Remains unexposed, and capable of defying a 4lb rise.

Form: 06981-

(8)

Precious Plum^p,h¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: C Wallis| OR: 58| C

66/1

Couple of good efforts on turf in the autumn for Chris Dwyer, but not at her best recently, including starting out for a new yard last time.

Form: 62958-7

(11)

Fantasy Justifier^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 57| CD

11/1

Back in the groove over C&D on last two starts, beaten 1L when fourth of 11 to Santafiora last time. Draw could have been kinder, but respected in current mood.

Form: 05742-4

(2)

Coastal Cyclone¹¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 55| D

10/1

Has ability, but record of 1-21 is disappointing, and while he shaped better than the result after a break at Kempton in October, another hiatus since that outing doesn't inspire confidence.

Form: 080065-

(9)

Indian Affair^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: J M Bradley| OR: 55| CD

14/1

Has become well treated, but yard has been consistently out of form for some time now, and hard to support until seeing signs of a protracted revival.

Form: 8409-68

(5)

Dodgy Bob^v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 48| D

10/1

Back to form this month, building on C&D third when second of 12 to Taceec in apprentice event over 7f here last time. Will benefit from a return to sprinting, and shortlisted.

Form: 4098-32

(10)

Le Manege Enchante^v¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 48| C| D

25/1

Not beaten far when fourth at Leicester in August off current mark, which was the highpoint of a low-key 2018. Back to form when second at Chelmsford on penultimate start, but failed to build on that last time.

Form: 448-625

(6)

Isabella Ruby^h¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 46

16/1

Ran well to be placed a couple of times over C&D last month, but disappointing at Kempton last time. May well bounce back returned to this venue, but more required to shed her maiden status.

Form: 08423-7

Non-Runners

(4)

Brockey Rise¹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: P D Evans J: Non Runner

(12)

Tiger Lyon⁶³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: P W D'Arcy J: J F Egan

(13)

Skyva¹³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: B Ellison J: Callum Rodriguez

Forecasts

Cuban Spirit (11/8), Brockey Rise (3/1), Billyoakes (7/1), Knockout Blow (15/2), Skyva (8/1), Dodgy Bob (10/1), Coastal Cyclone (10/1), Fantasy Justifier (11/1), Indian Affair (14/1), Isabella Ruby (16/1), Tiger Lyon (16/1), Le Manege Enchante (25/1), Precious Plum (66/1)

CUBAN SPIRIT is unexposed in handicaps and is taken to follow up his C&D win in December. He may have most to fear from a back-to-form Dodgy Bob, although Fantasy Justifier and Knockout Blow are others to bear in mind.