20:15 Wolverhampton

Thursday 3 October 2019

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

Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 1m 48.58s

(9)

Steal The Scene^p,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K Frost| OR: 55

25/1

Form has taken a dip as 2019 has rolled on and his 'will to win' has crumpled when he's been put under pressure. Missed out last month so might just be raring to go again after a little lay-off but others look more reliable types in a finish.

Form: 550847

(2)

Zero To Hero¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Adam J McNamara| T: A Watson| OR: 55

50/1

Former point-to-pointer who makes her handicap debut after three moderate outings on the Flat; she was beaten 36L by the winner when last of three at Bath last month, so already has improvement to find. Hard to recommend just now.

Form: 663

(6)

I Think So^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁵⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 55

12/1

Likes to get on with things and is a candidate for setting the tempo. The filly does need to show more determination than she did last time out but it's still relatively early days for her as she missed her juvenile season. The betting can guide.

Form: 876025

(1)

Pact Of Steel^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 54| CD

6/1

Beat Enzo (runs in the previous race) by 1L over the extended mile here last month and would have serious claims if able to build on that performance. Needs to better the form of his latest outing, though. (New yard still getting to grips with him.)

Form: 600518

(11)

Cwynar⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 54

11/1

Dropped in the ratings after an unsuccessful spell with Rebecca Curtis but has some ability locked away and is on handy mark. One to note with interest on debut for a new yard but possibly not from a betting perspective this time.

Form: 08-2589

(4)

Sooqaan^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 54| CD

50/1

Best form on the AW posted at Southwell before now but of he has won over an extended mile here in the past so has little to fear from the surface. Form has taken a dive recently, though.

Form: 635996

(7)

Caledonia Laird^e/s⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 53| C

25/1

Experienced handicapper with five AW wins to his name (four at this course over 7f); ran well when placed over C&D in July but was never in contention in either of his starts since. Another with a bit to prove.

Form: 880257

(12)

With Approval^b³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Gemma Tutty⁽³⁾| T: K Tutty| OR: 52

12/1

Can make the running and not unfeasible to think he can use that early speed to combat the wide draw; he stays further than this so the test might just bring the best out of him. Poor wins-to-runs-ratio but not out of this if he breaks alertly.

Form: 093053

(3)

Mr Sundowner^p1,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Herrington| OR: 50| D

20/1

Yet to capture his best for his current yard and cheekpieces fitted for the first time in a bid to stop the rot. The gelding is now lowly rated but he hasn't won since September 2017 and recent efforts haven't suggested he's about to turn a corner.

Form: 6-60600

(10)

Pike Corner Cross^t,v1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 50| CD

9/1

A game performer at this sort of level and very possible the fitting of a visor will perk him up after a rare below par run last time out. His best form is at Kempton but he's a previous course winner who cannot be ruled out in this company.

Form: 334330

(13)

True Colors¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M Pattinson| OR: 50

100/1

Lightly raced for his age and missed the whole of last season before making an inauspicious start for his current yard at Kempton last month. He was entitled to need that run but now has to start rewarding the faith shown in keeping him in training.

Form: 39980/0

(8)

Poetic Legacy⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 54| BF

6/4

Set for a 2lb rise in future handicaps and, while she's not the most outstanding 'well in' filly you'll ever see, she appeals strongly in a poor race like this. Not much to find to back up last month's Chelmsford win if she takes to the Tapeta.

Form: 5-85312

(5)

Mac Ailey¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 54

4/1

0-11 so far but has gone close a couple of times; posted a good effort when placed over 7f here last July; not returned to this course since and the yard has more obvious contenders elsewhere on the card but no surprise a bold bid from this fellow.

Form: 696585

Forecasts

Poetic Legacy (6/4), Mac Ailey (4/1), Pact Of Steel (6/1), Pike Corner Cross (9/1), Cwynar (11/1), I Think So (12/1), With Approval (12/1), Mr Sundowner (20/1), Caledonia Laird (25/1), Steal The Scene (25/1), Sooqaan (50/1), Zero To Hero (50/1), True Colors (100/1)

POETIC LEGACY is the obvious starting point and, with in-form Danny Tudhope back in the plate after a near miss with her at Newcastle last month, the youngest filly in the line up gets the nod as the one to be on again. With Approval has been done no favours by being handed a wide draw but has enough stamina to try and make this a good test; he is rated as big threat to the selection. Pike Corner Cross is more consistent than most and is another to bear in mind now that he sports a new headgear application. I Think So also likes to race prominently and could be good value for an each-way punt.