17:15 Wolverhampton

Monday 2 December 2019

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 3m 2.89s

(1)

Cross Step^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Mark Crehan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Moore| OR: 60

20/1

Winner of one of his nine Flat starts on turf but without success in a number of AW starts for various handlers. Not disgraced at Dundalk on debut for new yard last time, and this is easier, but he still needs to step up, and is unproven at 1¾m.

Form: 050-897

(6)

Bob Maxwell⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: L Morris| T: R Dickin| OR: 60

66/1

Failed to win for David Barron, and hasn't pulled up any trees over hurdles for his new yard. Beaten 25L in a modest handicap at Stratford last time, and makes little appeal back in this sphere.

Form: 366980-

(11)

Lafilia⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Toby Eley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Fierro| OR: 59

40/1

Placed earlier in the year for Archie Watson, but below form on debut for new yard over C&D last time. Entitled to have needed that run, but she has a bit to prove nonetheless.

Form: 323235

(7)

Calvinist⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jane Elliott| T: K Frost| OR: 57| C| D

6/1

Scored over C&D last year, and one or two creditable runs over hurdle since, but well beaten on handicap debut at Worcester in October, and no threat back on the level here last time. Others appear stronger again.

Form: 2520-76

(13)

Herm²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 56| C

8/1

Pretty consistent on this surface, and added to win in Guernsey when landing a 1½m handicap here last month. Unproven beyond that trip, but could go well if his stamina lasts here.

Form: 645181

(10)

Homesick Boy^v¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 60| D

4/1

Improved for step up to 1¾m when winning at Chelmsford in October, and better form when runner-up over the same track and trip last time. Should continue to give a good account, and a strong pace would increase his chances.

Form: 635912

(5)

Lyford^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: A C Whillans| OR: 54

9/1

C&D winner last year, and bounced back to form when runner-up over 1½m here on penultimate start. Failed to match that last time, and his inconsistency is a concern.

Form: 440028

(2)

Estrela Star^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Stronge| OR: 57

3/1

Lightly raced in handicaps, and produced his best effort when 1½L second of 12 to Foresee in an apprentices handicap over 1½m here last time in blinkers. Stayed on well on that occasion, and may do better still up in trip.

Form: 80-3452

(12)

God Has Given^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 54

16/1

Unreliable individual who has left Ian Williams and still has to register a victory. Not discredited at Kempton on debut for new yard, but hasn't built on that since, and opposable again.

Form: 767559

(9)

Falls Creek^v³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 45

13/2

Best effort when runner-up over C&D in January, and ran respectably on both starts after a break in October. Needs more to lose maiden tag, but ought to be on the premises from basement mark.

Form: 527454

(4)

Sinndarella^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Raul Da Silva| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 46

7/1

Often in the money, but yet to win. One of her better efforts when third of 13 to Vibrance in a 2m handicap at Kempton last time, and she's entitled to be in the mix on the balance of her form.

Form: 324533

Non-Runners

(8)

King Athelstan⁴²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: H Crouch

(3)

Good Man²³⁵

Weight: 8-10| Age: 6

T: Karen McLintock J: C Lee

Forecasts

Estrela Star (3/1), Homesick Boy (4/1), Calvinist (6/1), Falls Creek (13/2), Sinndarella (7/1), Herm (8/1), Lyford (9/1), King Athelstan (12/1), God Has Given (16/1), Good Man (16/1), Cross Step (20/1), Lafilia (40/1), Bob Maxwell (66/1)

ESTRELA STAR is out of a mare who stayed 2m, and he's been shaping up as if in need of a stamina test of late. He covered a lot of ground when runner-up over 1½m here last time, and if he's ridden to save ground here under a change of rider, he's well enough handicapped to shed his maiden status. Homesick Boy is another who appeals, and a strong pace will bring him into play, while the lowly weighted Sinndarella caught the eye over 2m at Kempton last time, and can reward each-way support.