15:15 Wolverhampton

Tuesday 23 July 2019

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Black Country Handicap

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 1m 14.81s

(9)

Wild Edric⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 74| CD

11/8

Won over this C&D on just his second ever start and last time when posting a career best. Made all and quickened away in good style. Going to be the one to beat under a 6lb penalty in a weaker contest.

Form: 409651

(4)

Laubali^p¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73| CD

16/1

Three-time winner over sprint trips last year all at this track (twice over C&D); now just 1lb above his last winning mark but needs to revive after two below par runs.

Form: 7814-75

(7)

Baby Steps¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: D Loughnane| OR: 75

5/1

Yet to win a handicap but has gone close the last twice at Windsor and Chester which were right up to his best. Chance if transferring that level to the AW, however stable form a worry and didn't go well on previous visit here.

Form: 5-75023

(2)

Lucky Lodge^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 70| CD

16/1

Six of his eight AW wins have come here including one over this distance and had been a consistent performer on an AW surface until a poor latest run. However ran off a slow pace and unfavourable terms in a claimer here and could bounce back.

Form: 237725

(6)

Our Lord²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M J Attwater| OR: 69| D

66/1

His last success came at Bath (5½f) in September 2017 and on what he has shown so far this season, it suggests he is a long way off ending that losing sequence. Remains an AW maiden and not as effective as on turf.

Form: 5900-78

(8)

Creek Harbour¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: J M Bradley| OR: 68| C| D

25/1

Won a Lingfield seller on his final start for Richard Hughes which was close to his best form but below that level when third in a C&D claimer. Faces competition for the lead and may find this tougher.

Form: 547313

(5)

Poeta Brasileiro⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Raul Da Silva| T: D H Brown| OR: 63| CD

5/1

Looked progressive when winning over this C&D in December but his form has gone steadily backwards since. Makes debut for his new stable and probably best watched until signs of a return to form.

Form: 1-44595

(3)

Painted Dream⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 68

33/1

Shaped well and to a similar level in all her first three starts but then struggled on turf and handicap debut. First run here and although a return to the AW may help there's plenty more required.

Form: 42-30

(1)

Take Fright^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 68

4/1

Remains a maiden following six starts but her best run so far came on the AW at Lingfield over this distance. Went close to that level and a first success when second over 7f here and the drop in trip may help. Rates a leading contender.

Form: 53-4552

(11)

Secret Potion²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 62| C| D

25/1

Now 1lb lower than last win which came over this distance at Kempton in April. A winner off that same mark over 5f here and not disgraced the last twice on turf. Should go well.

Form: 531855

Non-Runners

(10)

Astrospeed¹⁰⁹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: J R Fanshawe J: George Wood

(12)

Swiss Pride²⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: R Hughes J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Wild Edric (11/8), Take Fright (4/1), Baby Steps (5/1), Poeta Brasileiro (5/1), Astrospeed (13/2), Swiss Pride (8/1), Laubali (16/1), Lucky Lodge (16/1), Creek Harbour (25/1), Secret Potion (25/1), Painted Dream (33/1), Our Lord (66/1)

The penalty is unlikely to stop WILD EDRIC and he's going to be a hard horse to pass based on his latest win in a stronger contest. Take Fright looks the main danger and this drop back in distance should see her kick on again. Secret Potion is vulnerable to an improving type but is in good enough form to be involved. The last run of Lucky Lodge is best forgotten and he's taken to be in the mix once again. The AW record of Swiss Pride is very good so far so he's hard to dismiss.