20:15 Wolverhampton

Thursday 24 October 2019

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

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap

Off time: 20:17 | Winning time: 1m 56.9s

(1)

Elhafei²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| BF

7/1

Yet to win but held his own at a similar level on turf in the summer. Despite this consistency, the gelding now finds himself on a career lowest mark; but he's 0-3 on the AW and needs to run considerably better than he did at Southwell last time.

Form: 333328

(8)

Abel Tasman⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: R Brotherton| OR: 70

50/1

Was never competitive on debut for his current yard when last of seven at Kempton in September; hard to recommend on that evidence given the way his form tailed off for his previous yard.

Form: 3450-07

(4)

Redgrave³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Tuite| OR: 70

7/1

1-6 on the AW and was unlucky not to keep his head in front at the line when he last raced at this course. Not been the most consistent individual since then but is on a handy mark and his latest run was respectable. Not out of this by any stretch.

Form: 365593

(5)

He's Our Star⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Stronge| OR: 69

33/1

0-3 on the AW and has bit to prove in terms of effectiveness at this particular course. Does have C&D experience but off since August as his form on turf took a dive in the summer.

Form: 40-1508

(3)

Ruby Gates³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 68| CD

22/1

Goes well here and respected despite this being a stronger race than the C&D claimer she won in August. Not so effective on the Fibresand since but raises her game at this course. Not without a chance of at least making the frame.

Form: 603918

(7)

International Law³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 68| CD

9/1

Another with good course form to his name and has gone close over C&D before now. On a handy mark and not much to find on recent evidence.

Form: 156064

(2)

Spirit Of Sarwan^v¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 67| D

25/1

Solitary win on the AW posted at Lingfield in February 2017 but has been in good form with three wins on turf this year. Not particularly well handicapped as a result and will be lucky to get away with a slow start on this course.

Form: 140015

(6)

Memphis Bleek^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Nolan| T: I Furtado| OR: 70

14/1

Not many miles on the clock but has something to find with Roving Mission judging by their encounter at Epsom last month and looks opposable back in trip and first time on Tapeta.

Form: 634535

(11)

Hermocrates^b¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 70| CD

11/2

Kept on well to score at Brighton earlier in the month but this is a step up in class and the gelding has a 5lb higher mark to contend with. Has won over C&D before but a personal best is now required.

Form: 633641

(12)

Stormbomber¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 70| BF

2/1

Not had luck on his side since going into handicaps but been placed on six occasions and is due a change of fortune. He's fully effective in this grade and his latest start reads well in the context of this race. Nudged up 1lb but still a player.

Form: 223232

(13)

Smiley Bagel¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Kevin Lundie⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 66| C

80/1

Handles this course well but was brushed aside over 1m4f here earlier in the month (on his return from a break since May) and is hard to recommend on that evidence.

Form: 602450

(9)

Roving Mission²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 70| BF

5/1

Finished ahead of Memphis Bleek when third at Epsom last month and is going the right way. First start in a handicap on the AW but the drop in trip should suit. Unexposed and one to bear in mind.

Form: 9423

Non-Runners

(10)

Baashiq²¹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: P W Hiatt J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

Stormbomber (2/1), Roving Mission (5/1), Hermocrates (11/2), Redgrave (7/1), Elhafei (7/1), International Law (9/1), Baashiq (12/1), Memphis Bleek (14/1), Ruby Gates (22/1), Spirit Of Sarwan (25/1), He's Our Star (33/1), Abel Tasman (50/1), Smiley Bagel (80/1)

Interesting to see how Roving Mission gets on now he's dropped in trip and switched to the AW for his debut run in a handicap but STORMBOMBER has fewer questions to answer and is the preferred option in an modest finale. Ruby Gates, who loves this course, and Baashiq, who likes to make the running and has also won here before now, are others to consider.