17:15 Wolverhampton

Thursday 24 October 2019

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 1m 0.69s

(9)

Equally Fast^p1,h³¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: R Brotherton| OR: 65| CD

20/1

Been off since last December and form dipped towards the end of 2018; debuts for a new yard and has a lot to prove from 3lb higher than his last winning mark. Has won over C&D but below par on his last visit to this course. (Now in cheekpieces.)

Form: 513009-

(4)

Dark Side Dream^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 65| CD

17/2

Won over an extended 5f at Yarmouth on his penultimate start and still respected despite being on a higher mark now he's back on the AW; rated a better horse in this aspect of the game and dangerous to underestimate.

Form: 007915

(8)

Angel Force^t1,v1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 65| D

18/1

Had a busy October already and was adrift of Shepherd's Purse when they met over C&D last week; no standout reason as to why she should be able to reverse the form; first time visor and tongue tie need to really perk her up.

Form: 609408

(5)

Amor Kethley^p,t³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 64

11/2

Back to form at Chelmsford last month, so respected despite dropping back in trip and having to shoulder a 4lb higher mark; also ran well on her only previous visit to this course. Gets on well with the rider whose 5lb claim is a further bonus.

Form: 397031

(10)

Red Invader¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: J Butler| OR: 63| CD

50/1

Landed a brace here and at Southwell in April/May but struggled under revised marks since; last two starts were poor efforts. Also a worry that he refused to race here in August. The wide draw forces a conclusion that others hold stronger claims.

Form: 118R09

(1)

Shepherd's Purse^b⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 58| CD

15/8

1lb well in despite his penalty for a smooth win here last week but this is a tougher ask at the weights and he's never won back-to-back races before now. Also worth bearing in mind that he's only 1-23 on the AW before accepting any skinny odds.

Form: 096531

(2)

Coronation Cottage³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M S Saunders| OR: 60| D

25/1

Was a surprise winner (odds of 20/1) at Windsor in April but rarely looked like emulating the feat since; dropped to a handy mark but both previous attempts on the AW were very modest displays. Another with a stiff test in front of her.

Form: 298660

(7)

Kath's Lustre^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 60

16/1

She's well handicapped on face value but has to be noted that she's been out of form lately and lacks experience of a Tapeta surface; has also never really been convincing over 5f, so looks one to be wary of just now.

Form: 6-45677

(3)

Aquadabra¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: C Mason| OR: 59| CD

11/1

Finished just behind Angel Force here last time but might have done better with a clearer passage inside the final furlong. Still, as a previous C&D winner with a low draw, she's worth considering for a place in the frame with a 7lb claimer booked.

Form: 316925

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 25p in the pound

Non-Runners

(6)

Longroom⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 7

T: N Wilson J: Phil Dennis

(11)

Great Suspense⁸

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Shepherd's Purse (15/8), Amor Kethley (11/2), Great Suspense (6/1), Longroom (7/1), Dark Side Dream (17/2), Aquadabra (11/1), Kath's Lustre (16/1), Angel Force (18/1), Equally Fast (20/1), Coronation Cottage (25/1), Red Invader (50/1)

Shepherd's Purse won with authority over C&D last week and has to be respected. However, a chance is taken that a 5lb turnabout in the weights can assist LONGROOM is his bid to reverse the form with Ruth Carr's gelding. This will be the third time the pair have encountered each other in the last month and the terms of the race give the selection a good chance of coming out on top this time. Aquadabra is an interesting one to bear in mind from the foot of the handicap while a bold effort from Amor Kethley would also be dangerous to rule out. The unexposed Great Suspense adds further spice to Wolverhampton's curtain raiser.