15:55 Wolverhampton

Thursday 28 March 2019

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:05

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 1m 13.33s

(3)

El Hombre¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 92| CD

11/4

Ended a losing run of over a year when winning over this C&D in December and has raced to a similar level in his latest two solid efforts here. Respected back down to winning grade.

Form: 313-824

(7)

Reflektor³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 89| CD

12/1

Front-runner who won over this C&D off 3lb higher early last year and potentially nicely handicapped. Couldn't lead from wide last time and draw hasn't been kind again. Stable won this last year.

Form: 1547-48

(5)

Areen Heart¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88

6/1

Only three career wins but regularly placed over 7f and his consistency means he receives little respite from the handicapper. Can never be dismissed but trip a query on a belated first try at sprinting.

Form: 5-23532

(6)

Bungee Jump¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: H Crouch| T: G Harris| OR: 83| D

50/1

Twice a winner over this distance so drop in trip not a worry, however remains in the grip of the handicapper and well-beaten in a weaker grade on recent return. Others preferred.

Form: 23527-9

(2)

Shining Armor⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 92| CD

8/1

Enjoyed a tremendous run of form at the end of last year with four wins and a second. Ran twice in Meydan and set a tough ask when unlucky on return at Lingfied over 5f. 7lb higher than last win but dropped 4lb and in grade. Can go well.

Form: 121-500

(9)

Fares Kodiac^t1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 88| D

9/2

Won two of first four and ran to a similar level when pulling too hard on handicap debut over this C&D. Likely has improvement to come if settling better but more required off current mark.

Form: 1341-6

(4)

Coolagh Magic^p³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| BF| D

4/1

Posted back-to-back successes at Newcastle and Southwell in January and showed he could still be ahead of the handicapper when blowing the start but still getting third over this C&D and in this grade last month. Lightly-raced and a leading hope.

Form: 022-113

(8)

Sandridge Lad¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: B A Curtis| T: J Ryan| OR: 80

16/1

Last two wins have come on the fibresand and up 5lb to a career-high mark following this month's latest success. Much tougher now up in grade and hasn't previously convinced at this far.

Form: 122-441

(1)

Punjab Mail¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 77

16/1

Gelded and then sold for 38,000gns following two seconds for Charlie Hills last year. New stable do well with their imports and off this opening mark and a good draw could well be involved on seasonal debut.

Form: 022-

Forecasts

El Hombre (11/4), Coolagh Magic (4/1), Fares Kodiac (9/2), Areen Heart (6/1), Shining Armor (8/1), Reflektor (12/1), Punjab Mail (16/1), Sandridge Lad (16/1), Bungee Jump (50/1)

Punjab Mail has the potential to make up into a smart sprint handicapper and market support for his shrewd new yard would be interesting. It may pay to stick with the three-year-olds with Coolagh Magic taken to improve again following a tardy getaway here last time while SHINING ARMOR got no luck in the run in a tough race on his return and is likewise open to plenty of progress.