19:45 Wolverhampton

Tuesday 16 April 2019

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 3m 39.93s

(4)

Alabaster^v²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 77

5/2

Three-time AW winner in 2017 before having to take a 19 months absence. Not the easiest to train and has returned to action with a mixed bag of form (looked a little less quirky last time; firs-time visor); still not the most convincing sort.

Form: 755352

(3)

Seinesational^v¹⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: W J Knight| OR: 77

11/4

Winner of four races last year (two turf/two AW) the final one over today's trip; gave his running in most of his starts although he ended on a down note. Best with a break between races but hard to know if he's primed for this; market to guide.

Form: 414317-

(6)

Lopes Dancer⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: H Bethell| OR: 73

4/1

Four-time Flat winner who last success came when dropping down to 1m4f at Newcastle under a positive ride. Clearly had the run of the race there (always best ridden positively); had every chance last time; chance if staying this trip.

Form: 012-414

(1)

Country'n'western¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 71

4/1

Relished the Fibresand when winning over 1m6f last December off a 6lb lower mark (not really in the same form in two subsequent starts there). Ran with credit back on turf last time (1m4f; first-time hood); makes Tapeta debut, chances if he stays.

Form: 612-527

(5)

Uncle Bernie^p⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 68| CD

20/1

No stranger to success here (four-time course winner; three C&D); but had a very long time off before his return here over 1m6f. Far too free last time (slowly away); this run should reveal far more about how much ability remains.

Form: 61606/5

(2)

Black Noah³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: J Farrelly| OR: 68

20/1

Placed on his first four Flat starts for Gordon Elliott (including on AW at Dundalk) he remains a maiden. Offered little on his first run for this yard at Southwell over 1m4f, upped in trip now by 4f with something to prove on another new surface.

Form: 3332-70

(7)

Knight Commander^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Raul Da Silva| T: S Flook| OR: 56| D

8/1

Maiden on the Flat (0-21), has won over hurdles (2-19) but 3lb out of the handicap here having his second run back from a wind op. Not seen to best effect last time (2m, Lingfield); needs more emphasis on stamina and an easier grade.

Form: 3/08-434

Forecasts

Alabaster (5/2), Seinesational (11/4), Country'n'western (4/1), Lopes Dancer (4/1), Knight Commander (8/1), Uncle Bernie (20/1), Black Noah (20/1)

Staying contest where proven stayer Alabaster will be popular but he’s never looked an easy one to keep sound and his latest form leaves a little to be desired with his attitude also under the microscope. Seinesational has won over this trip in the past although he’s yet to prove himself off this sort of break but would enter the equation if he was ready to rock and roll. Joe Fanning has a 2-4 record on LOPES DANCER and is often noted for his prowess on front-runners which is certainly the way that Harriet Bethell’s charge likes to be ridden. Country’N’Western met some late trouble at Doncaster last time and may appreciate a return to an AW surface.