17:55 Wolverhampton

Monday 25 February 2019

All17:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 17:56 | Winning time: 1m 0.74s

(3)

Pea Shooter²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: B Ellison| OR: 77| D

7/1

Veteran has hit form with a win and a close second over this distance at Newcastle. Well-drawn for prominent racing style but up another 3lb and form here hasn't been quite as good in the past.

Form: 3235-12

(9)

Drakefell^b1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 77| CD

16/1

Two wins from 11 starts includes a C&D success but yet to score in handicap company. Had been racing in a higher grade and not disgraced in a decent claimer over 7f last start. Claims in first-time blinkers.

Form: 9937-63

(2)

It's All A Joke^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽⁷⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 76| D

6/1

Has form over this C&D and heads here off the back of a career-best success over this trip at Lingfield. Down in grade for an in-form trainer and jockey and well drawn. Should go close again off just 2lb higher.

Form: 01-8341

(5)

Amazing Grazing²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 75| C| D

6/1

Remains 5lb higher than last winning mark but has run well last twice. All wins over further but ran right up to his best over this distance at Newcastle two starts back and could be involved again.

Form: 002-525

(7)

Gift In Time¹⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 74| D

50/1

Left James Given for 6,500gns and although entitled to come on for his stable debut following a 239-days absence, that was at his favoured Southwell and likely best watched.

Form: 4/13430-

(10)

Tathmeen¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 72| D

12/1

Has turned his form around for new stable with a win and similar effort when a close third again over this trip at Newcastle. Wide-draw a negative but remains competitively handicapped if transferring form to this track.

Form: 668-813

(11)

A Sure Welcome^b⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: J L Spearing| OR: 71| CD

6/1

Five-time course winner (once over this trip) and 1lb higher than his win over 6f here in January. Draw a negative but is proving very reliable and looks likely to be competitive again.

Form: 52-1235

(8)

Gamesome²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 66

20/1

Frustrating sort and has won just one of 45 career starts which was back in 2013. Needs to find plenty on two well beaten return efforts.

Form: 3344-86

(1)

Warrior's Valley^p,t³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 66| D

3/1

Front-runner has shown improved form the last twice with a Southwell win and a Chelmsford second. Well-drawn to attack and should have more to offer. Rates a leading contender.

Form: 59-4512

(4)

Secret Potion¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 63| CD

10/1

Infrequent winner but remains on last winning mark which came over this C&D. Ran on strongly when back to form here last start but this is tougher still.

Form: 10568-2

(6)

Mansfield²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 61

16/1

Sole win came over 7f on turf back in 2015 and well beaten when upped to this grade at Newcastle. Hard to fancy down in trip.

Form: 76634-8

Forecasts

Warrior's Valley (3/1), Amazing Grazing (6/1), A Sure Welcome (6/1), It's All A Joke (6/1), Pea Shooter (7/1), Secret Potion (10/1), Tathmeen (12/1), Drakefell (16/1), Mansfield (16/1), Gamesome (20/1), Gift In Time (50/1)

Warrior's Valley couldn't be better drawn, is still improving and has an eye-catching jockey booking in what is a very open race. IT'S ALL A JOKE gets the narrow preference from a likewise good berth and can build on a career-best win. There's plenty of others to consider but A Sure Welcome is consistent and on a good run of form.