19:55 Wolverhampton

Monday 4 February 2019

All16:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:25

Ladbrokes Handicap

Off time: 19:56 | Winning time: 1m 1.55s

(4)

Pink Flamingo¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 63

11/4

Returned to being given a prominent ride last time over 5f at Newcastle but showed very little improvement in her form. Consistent enough in handicaps and her mark is edging down (career-low here); still looks vulnerable to an improving sort.

Form: 2550-53

(9)

North Korea¹²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: B P J Baugh| OR: 62| D

40/1

Given quite a tough season as a juvenile when with David Evans (showed improved form to win a 5f turf nursery in July). Below form on her only outing for this yard and now returns for her Tapeta after a break; others appeal more.

Form: 145545-

(1)

Alban's Dream^b²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 62

9/2

Has looked vulnerable late on in her last two runs over 6f here and looks likely to appreciate this first try at 5f. Went with plenty of zest last time and looks nicely drawn to take advantage of her early speed; leading player.

Form: 77062-3

(5)

Hanakotoba^t¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S C Williams| OR: 62

2/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark on handicap debut over 6f at Kempton off a 2lb lower mark. Has run with credit without winning again since, the last twice over 5f; can race freely and looks a little quirky but should go well in this grade.

Form: 7144-23

(2)

Awake In Asia^v1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C Wallis| OR: 62

8/1

Previously with David Evans; not really progressed at all as yet over 5f/6f finishing well held and last on his most recent outing. Best form (such as it is) has come over 5f; now visored for the first time but not one to have much confidence in.

Form: 36704-0

(3)

Brother Bentley¹²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 60

16/1

Given three quick runs over sprint trips in order to gain a handicap mark as a juvenile he showed very little on his debut in that sphere (Kempton 5f nursery). Back from a break it's hard to make a case for him with his best run having come over 6f.

Form: 7689-

(11)

Carla Koala³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: Miss N L-Beavis| OR: 57

125/1

Handicap debutante having shown little so far in three maidens (made her debut over this trip). Tried at 6f/7f since and now back down in trip for her first run in this sphere; wide draw doesn't make life easy though; others appeal more.

Form: 560-

(7)

Not So Shy⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 56

12/1

0-12 so far with most of her runs looking of moderate quality and she was well beaten over 6f on the Fibresand last time. Often goes from the front (form here reads 437); hard to construct a solid case for; beaten off this mark the last twice.

Form: 3777-26

(8)

Thegreyvtrain¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: R Harris| OR: 53

12/1

Ran one of her better races last time (well positioned) but has a rather inconsistent profile (0-12 overall). Best form has come at 5f and this will be easier than taking on her elders last time; does need to improve on previous runs though.

Form: 25007-4

(6)

Oxygenic²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 53

50/1

Finished an unconvincing last of 11 on her most recent start (2nd handicap start) having been given a fairly stiff mark to start with. Now down 8lb from that opening mark but needs to show more before being considered betting material.

Form: 8546-0

Non-Runners

(10)

Swiss Chime¹⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: D K Ivory J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

Hanakotoba (2/1), Pink Flamingo (11/4), Alban's Dream (9/2), Awake In Asia (8/1), Not So Shy (12/1), Thegreyvtrain (12/1), Swiss Chime (12/1), Brother Bentley (16/1), North Korea (40/1), Oxygenic (50/1), Carla Koala (125/1)

Early three-year-old handicaps are always hard to get a handle on and this one is now different. ALBAN’S DREAM looks a speedy sort and worth try back at 5f having been caught close home the last twice. Pink Flamingo is another who has shown good speed in her races but she does have to give weight away to the entire field and could be vulnerable to those lower down the weights. Hanakotoba has been running consistently well of late and did score of just a 2lb lower mark at Kempton late last year. Not many of the others make much appeal but Thegreyvtrain should appreciate a return to racing against her own age group with her best form having come at 5f.