14:35 Wolverhampton

Friday 2 August 2019

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:50

Golden Equinox Racing Are Always Touring Handicap

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 3m 2.82s

(3)

Distant Chimes^p1⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 75| C

8/15

Without doubt the one to beat. Still remains unexposed, despite being raised 7lb for narrow victory at Lingfield (1m4f; standard). Step up in trip should bring about more improvement and he is the standout contender in the race.

Form: 7992-11

(5)

Houlton^p,t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 76| D

9/1

Better off at the weights with The Blues Master after finishing just behind that rival at Newcastle (1m4f; standard to slow). Entitled to reverse the form but perhaps not open to as much improvement as that horse.

Form: 224173

(9)

Willyegolassiego^t,v1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: S Donohoe| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 72| CD

100/1

Returns to the flat for the first time in 506 days. In and out of form over hurdles during the winter. In decent heart when last seen in this code, competes off a fair mark and will be fit so is the dark horse in the race.

Form: 121/144-

(11)

Bird For Life^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 68| C

14/1

Maintained good run of form to score by six-lengths here over 2m last month. Another 7lb higher for that success but has coped with rise in the weights before, so could be successful in the follow-up bid.

Form: 551521

(8)

Rail Dancer^v²³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: S L Keightley| OR: 67| C

33/1

Hasn't looked an obvious sort over this trip in two previous tries over C&D. Hasn't been able to live with recent 6lb rise for latest success at Yarmouth (1m2f; good). Others have a much more solid look to them.

Form: 281160

(1)

The Blues Master³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: A King| OR: 67

8/1

Pushed a tough Mark Johnston inmate all the way on return from long layoff when a good second in a higher grade at Newcastle (1m4f; standard to slow). Been given time to get over that and should hold leading claims if progressing.

Form: 37563/2

(2)

Raven's Raft³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D Loughnane| OR: 62| C

20/1

Win over 1m4f at this track back in April was overshadowed when she was pulled up next-time-out. However, she wasn't disgraced in a warm affair at Chester (1m4f; good to firm). Step up in trip could unlock some more improvement.

Form: 430-1P4

(6)

Taurean Dancer^b1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 62

50/1

Stamina to prove after finishing last in a five-runner affair on first go beyond 1m4f at Newbury (1m5f; good to firm) recently. 2lb below last winning mark, but a watching brief is advised on second attempt at the trip.

Form: 21-7405

(7)

Enmeshing⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 61| C

25/1

Returns to the track after a short break. Never involved at Chepstow (1m2f; good to firm) on his most recent outing, and wasn't in sparkling form prior to that disappointment so can only be watched.

Form: 249020

(10)

Fern Owl^e/s¹⁰^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: Joey Haynes| T: J Butler| OR: 54| C

14/1

Followed up promising runner-up effort at this track when going one place better last month over 1m4f. Steps up in trip and is evidently in good heart so should remain competitive in what is a hot race.

Form: 979421

(4)

More Harry⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Isobel Francis⁽⁷⁾| T: C Ellam| OR: 45

250/1

Has failed to complete or failed to beat a single rival on each of his last three starts. Has shown nothing in any of his nine career starts and subsequently competes off a basement mark. Impossible to fancy.

Form: 76-900P

Forecasts

Distant Chimes (8/15), The Blues Master (8/1), Houlton (9/1), Bird For Life (14/1), Fern Owl (14/1), Raven's Raft (20/1), Enmeshing (25/1), Rail Dancer (33/1), Taurean Dancer (50/1), Willyegolassiego (100/1), More Harry (250/1)

A well-contested stayers handicap which looks set to go the way of the hat-trick seeking DISTANT CHIMES. He steps up to 1m6f for the first time after scoring by a neck over slightly shorter last time which should allow him to improve further and cope with a 7lb rise in the weights for his latest victory. His trainer excels with such types and it is highly likely he could rack up a sequence of victories. The Blues Master and Houlton renew their rivalry after meeting at Newcastle on Northumberland Plate Day. The former was narrowly in front of the latter then and can confirm that form given that was his first run for over a year.