19:15 Wolverhampton

Thursday 3 October 2019

All17:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Come To Oktoberfest This Saturday Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 2m 37.77s

(4)

Moans Cross^v1⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 53

16/1

Been in good form over hurdles and noteworthy he's been placed when tried on the Flat before now. The gelding acts well on an artificial surface but there has to be the suspicion this trip is short of his best. The visor preferred to cheekpieces now

Form: 873330-

(2)

Born To Frolic²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: Debbie Hughes| OR: 53

7/1

Ex-Irish whose best form in his homeland was posted over an extended 1m1f; has run respectably over this trip since arriving on these shores earlier this year but looked short of pace on recent debut for his current yard. More needed.

Form: 826-354

(1)

About Glory^t,v⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: I Jardine| OR: 53

11/2

Landed a brace on turf at Bath last month but his winning run came to an end behind a surprise winner at Newcastle last time; this is his grade but he's 0-3 on the AW and was a disappointing favourite when last tried here.

Form: 700114

(3)

Alpine Peak⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: N Lupini| OR: 52

11/1

One-time Godolphin-owned gelding who has gone the wrong way since he was introduced at this course in October 2017; he's still a maiden after 16 previous attempts and makes limited even though he travels over from Ireland for this.

Form: 700-087

(10)

Midnight Mood²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: G Mosse| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 52

8/1

Taken time to come to hand this year but ran one of his better races when third of 15 at Chelmsford last month; given a chance from 1lb lower and likely to run his race. All previous wins at 1m2f, though.

Form: 6-78653

(9)

Ember's Glow³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 50| CD

18/1

Goes well here and is a previous C&D winner; probably needed the run when down the field at Kempton last time and dangerous to underestimate with fitness topped up. Stable's form a concern but the gelding could provide some respite.

Form: 593409

(11)

Shovel It On^b,t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Raul Da Silva| T: S Flook| OR: 49| CD

25/1

Ran well in the face of a stiff test over C&D last month and respected on the pick of his efforts. The jockey knows him well but the fact his only win in the last two years came in a seller dents the confidence.

Form: 170753

(8)

Holy Hymn^p1,t¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K Frost| OR: 55

16/1

Fewer miles on the clock than most but his form has been ordinary up to press (started his career in Ireland but two starts for Joseph O'Brien were poor efforts). Cheekpieces are now tried but they need to have a dramatic impact.

Form: 0-5878

(6)

Final Attack^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 48| C

50/1

Form this year is very much a mixed bag and he's been more miss than hit; yet to be tried over this trip and makes limited appeal on this occasion.

Form: 234708

(7)

Homesick Boy^v¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 54

9/2

No wins registered so far and has looked short of pace on a number of occasions. That said, the trip is within his compass and he's certainly been given every chance by the handicapper. Looks one to be wary of all the same.

Form: 074563

(5)

Capla Huntress¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: C F Wall| OR: 54

2/1

Lightly raced three-year-old with a nice pedigree, but she was just behind Homesick Boy when upped to this trip at Kempton last month and has a lot to find on a literal reading of that form. Others more appealing.

Form: 8064

Non-Runners

(12)

Born To Reason¹⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: Alexandra Dunn J: Harrison Shaw

Forecasts

Capla Huntress (2/1), Homesick Boy (9/2), About Glory (11/2), Born To Frolic (7/1), Midnight Mood (8/1), Born To Reason (8/1), Alpine Peak (11/1), Holy Hymn (16/1), Moans Cross (16/1), Ember's Glow (18/1), Shovel It On (25/1), Final Attack (50/1)

There is risk attached but MIDNIGHT MOOD could be hard to beat in this weak company if his stamina holds out to the line. Embers Glow looks the best alternative, while About Glory and the feasibly treated Homesick Boy are others to consider in a race where minimum stakes would be the recommended staking policy.