17:30 Wolverhampton

Friday 31 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:5517:30

smartvetmeds.com Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 1m 49.07s

(9)

Windsorlot¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 55| CD

18/1

Returned after a break on turf last time over a trip that stretched his suspect stamina and he'll be much happier back over this extended 1m. Has won here before and entitled to come on for the run; needs others to perform below-par.

Form: 72460-0

(8)

Misu Pete^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Morgan Cole⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 55| C| D

16/1

Two 7f course wins to his name back in 2016 he's won a further five races since then the latest in February aided by the run of the race and a reduced mark. Well below form on his last two turf runs; may well be suited by a return to the AW.

Form: 8-81290

(1)

Perfect Soldier^p³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁵⁾| T: S L Keightley| OR: 55| D

9/1

Bounced back to some sort of form around here over further last time shaping as though he would be better for the run. Cheekpieces return (worn for only win); well treated on his old form and worth noting any market positivity.

Form: 080-096

(13)

The Third Man⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁵⁾| T: H Spiller| OR: 55| CD

40/1

Not totally straightforward but he is a course winner and has been known to travel comfortably through his races at this level. Well held when last seen on the AW but his earlier form makes him worth a second glance in this off a reduced mark.

Form: 48455-0

(6)

Snooker Jim^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Toby Eley⁽³⁾| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 54

4/1

Long-standing maiden (0-11) but has shown that he is capable of winning a race of late when all the chips fall his way. Operating off a lowly mark now and sound claims if he can back up his second at Nottingham last time returned to the AW.

Form: 865-662

(2)

Tha'ir^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Hogan| T: P J McBride| OR: 53| BF| CD

3/1

Four-time course winner whose latest win came in a weak affair on his second run for this yard. Has remained in good form in two further starts here although the 7f trip was too sharp last time; will appreciate a return to this distance; leading play

Form: 090123

(12)

Imperial Act¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 51| BF

4/1

Broke her maiden with ease in a weak Chelmsford event over 1m; failed to run to the same level back on turf at Brighton. Had every chance in that contest; may well be that a return to the AW will see her in a better light returning to handicaps.

Form: 057214

(4)

Break The Silence^b²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Theodore Ladd| T: S Dixon| OR: 51

5/1

Spent most of the winter and the early part of this year running with credit for the most part on Fibresand but on a losing run that continues to mount. Ran with credit on turf last time; now has his second try on Tapeta with more needed.

Form: 474333

(7)

Pact Of Steel^t³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: William Cox| T: F Birrane| OR: 50

22/1

A winner on the AW over 1m2f when with Harry Dunlop off a 10lb higher mark he's yet to show anything like that form for his current yard despite a declining mark. Ran poorly again (weak in betting) when last seen; revival is needed.

Form: 50-9600

(11)

Soldier Blue⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Kieran Schofield⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 47

14/1

Various headgear worn on his last eight outings is now removed as he steps up 2f in trip; fared poorly in blinkers last time here over 6f (selling handicap). Looks in need of a return to this sort of trip; form is underwhelming though.

Form: 72-4856

(5)

Bullseye Bullet^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Isobel Francis⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 46

66/1

Shaped as if amiss on both starts since returning from a significant absence even tried on turf last time and dropped to 6f. Always behind and soon detached he can't be of any interest here on the evidence of his recent starts.

Form: 6903/09

Non-Runners

(3)

Glenmoore³²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 5

T: F Birrane J: Aled Beech

(10)

Aljunood²⁰

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: J R Norton J: Harry Russell

Forecasts

Tha'ir (3/1), Imperial Act (4/1), Snooker Jim (4/1), Break The Silence (5/1), Perfect Soldier (9/1), Soldier Blue (14/1), Misu Pete (16/1), Aljunood (16/1), Glenmoore (16/1), Windsorlot (18/1), Pact Of Steel (22/1), The Third Man (40/1), Bullseye Bullet (66/1)

A relatively strong event for the grade with one or two that will see this as a way to either break their maiden or return to form. Snooker Jim would certainly fit neatly into the former category having not been beaten far at Nottingham; he’s allowed to compete off the same mark. Perfect Soldier nestles on an attractive mark and he’s one to watch in the market with this race giving him a good chance to regain the winning thread. Imperial Act failed to impress last time and more is needed from her to regain the winning thread while The Third Man is an interesting sort. Course specialist THA'IR will be suited by a return to this trip and this former useful sort can add another course victory.