16:05 Wolverhampton

Saturday 31 August 2019

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

Avoid Back Pain Buy Deskstor Chairs Silk Series Lady Riders' Handicap

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 1m 48.31s

(6)

Regal Director⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 80

11/8

Won under this rider in a similar race at Redcar last week and a 5lb higher mark looks fair given the manner of his 3L defeat of a 73-rated rival. That was his debut run for this yard and it's very possible there's more to come. Shortlist material.

Form: 45/0-361

(7)

Stringybark Creek⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss M Mullineaux⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| CD

16/1

Won over this trip at Beverley earlier in the campaign but well held three times since. Dropped 2lb since his latest start but still looks weighted to the limit at present.

Form: 821976

(1)

Alfa McGuire¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 76

12/1

Experiments with headgear sandwich his win at Ayr last month and noteworthy applications are omitted this time. Couldn't get competitive in this grade at Thirsk last time, though, and his lack of experience on the AW (0-2, Newcastle) is off-putting.

Form: 477718

(9)

Inner Circle^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 73

12/1

Won a weak claimer as expected at Beverley earlier in the month (odds 4/6) and respected now he's rediscovered what it takes to win a race. However, this is tougher and a mile seems to stretch him to the limit. Needs to match his best at this trip.

Form: 641441

(10)

Robero^e/s¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 73| CD

15/2

Ran well in a claimer at Lingfield in May but failed to match that twice since; has won over the extended mile here but most of his better efforts have been over 7f. Still, he's now well handicapped and can get competitive if breaking on terms.

Form: 540245

(8)

Noble Prospector²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78

11/4

Ran well to finish third at Redcar over 1m2f last time out (both the winner and second home have won again since) and the form looks solid. He's a half-brother to AW winners and the drop in trip shouldn't be too much of an issue. Big player.

Form: 433423

(3)

Burguillos^h,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Miss Alice Haynes⁽⁷⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 68

28/1

Won two races for Alan King earlier in his career but couldn't deliver for Stuart Williams; nor could he muster a challenge on debut for his new yard when finishing just over 3L behind Robero at Newmarket last time. Others stronger have claims.

Form: 794968

(4)

Brandy Spirit^h²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Joanna Mason⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 74

9/2

Ran well on several occasions but doesn't look the easiest of rides and can take some stoking along from the stalls. However, he's got ability when he gets on an even keel and would be dangerous to overlook as he's on a very workable mark just now.

Form: 32-3249

(2)

Sinfonietta^p1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Kate Leahy⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 65

66/1

Hasn't won since April 2016 but lightly raced over the last two season. He's dropped to an attractive mark but two starts this year have been poor at best and he makes very limited appeal in the first-time headgear.

Form: 7080-00

(5)

Any Smile⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Shelley Birkett| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 60

33/1

1lb out of the weights but he's unexposed at the trip and has handled this track well before. But a poor effort on his final start for Michael Bell is disconcerting and he might be best just watched for the time being. (Debut for a new yard.)

Form: 430778

Non-Runners

(11)

Fuwairt¹⁴⁵

Weight: 10-5| Age: 7

T: D Loughnane J: Laura Coughlan

Forecasts

Regal Director (11/8), Noble Prospector (11/4), Brandy Spirit (9/2), Robero (15/2), Alfa McGuire (12/1), Inner Circle (12/1), Stringybark Creek (16/1), Fuwairt (16/1), Burguillos (28/1), Any Smile (33/1), Sinfonietta (66/1)

This might boil down to a scrap between NOBLE PROSPECTOR and Regal Director, who look the pick of the bunch in a modest handicap for the grade. The first named has more scope for improvement and, with his latest start looking a solid piece of form, Richard Fahey's gelding edges preference for selection on this occasion. Decent enough odds permitting, Brandy Spirit and Robero are a couple of others worth considering for places in the frame.