19:45 Wolverhampton

Thursday 3 October 2019

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

Grand Theatre Wolverhampton Handicap

Off time: 19:46 | Winning time: 1m 58.78s

(5)

Celtic Artisan^b,t⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 65| CD

11/1

Five-time winner at this course and is a reliable yardstick for a race of this nature (his latest start on turf was poor, so that does need to be forgiven, though). A good run from Street Poet in the 6.45 race would boost the worth of his form.

Form: 731320

(2)

Manfadh²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: K Frost| OR: 64| CD

5/1

Won over C&D for Mark Brisbourne in January and has steadily been finding his way back for his new yard. Wasn't beaten too far in his latest outing and the return to Dunstall Park is in his favour. One to bear in mind.

Form: 855306

(11)

Destinys Rock²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 63| CD

50/1

Came good at Nottingham (1m2f, good) in July but below par both times since. AW strike rate is 1-13 and that win came in a C&D apprentices handicap last December. Can be slowly away and the balance of form suggests a few of the others have an edge.

Form: 892150

(4)

Deleyll⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J Butler| OR: 62| CD

11/1

Won over C&D last March but only raced twice since; well held both times but never been at his best when fresh. Not much to find if bouncing back and another to bear in mind under favourable conditions. (Handy draw, too.)

Form: 9101-88

(6)

King Oswald^p,t⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: J W Unett| OR: 62| CD

12/1

Form to reverse with Enzo and faces a stiff test to do so at the weights. However, he's a previous C&D winner so will be suited by the return to Wolverhampton and respected from just 4lb above his last winning mark. (Rated a better horse on the AW.)

Form: 012684

(3)

Pilot Wings^p,t1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: David Dennis| OR: 62

20/1

Tries a tongue tie after three below par efforts since his return to action in April; might have needed the run last time out but he dropped out tamely when headed and now has a lot to prove.

Form: 225-000

(12)

Better Than Ever³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Botti| OR: 64

9/1

Relatively unexposed in handicaps but has gone the wrong way lately; winners have come out of his last two races but the gelding has form to reverse with Canasta and, therefore, has a bit to find.

Form: 432387

(7)

Global Rock⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: G Mosse| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 64

10/1

Gelded since posting a more encouraging effort at Yarmouth and has scope to improve now trying handicaps. Down in grade and is one to monitor in the betting.

Form: 804

(1)

Elena¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 62

7/1

Ran above market expectations when third of 11 at Leicester last time, which bodes well for her over this sort of trip. As a half-sister to a Listed winner on the Dirt in the UAE, as well as Belle Diva, an AW maiden winner, the Tapeta should suit.

Form: 723493

(8)

Canasta⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 62

5/2

An improving filly who seems to be getting better with each run; she was third to a well backed favourite over C&D on her penultimate start and also caught the eye last time. A strong contender here.

Form: 754433

(13)

Chinese Alphabet^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: W J Knight| OR: 62

5/1

Gone close twice recently but latest start was a step backwards. Needs to bounce back but the pick of his turf form reads well and he's another with a live chance if he takes to racing on this type of synthetic surface.

Form: 455325

Non-Runners

(9)

Enzo²⁶

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: J Butler J: Joey Haynes

(10)

Highwaygrey¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: T D Easterby J: D Allan

Forecasts

Canasta (5/2), Enzo (7/2), Manfadh (5/1), Chinese Alphabet (5/1), Elena (7/1), Better Than Ever (9/1), Global Rock (10/1), Celtic Artisan (11/1), Deleyll (11/1), King Oswald (12/1), Highwaygrey (12/1), Pilot Wings (20/1), Destinys Rock (50/1)

An open handicap where the betting can be a good guide to a handful of these. CANASTA is going the right way and is less exposed than a good number of the rest, so heads the shortlist; closely followed by the equally lightly weighted Chinese Alphabet who be be a player if handling the surface. Enzo is also highly respected and still has room to move from his current mark. Highwaygrey and Elena are others to monitor closely in the market.