19:15 Wolverhampton

Monday 2 December 2019

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

Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 19:17 | Winning time: 1m 59.07s

(3)

Ballet Red¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Elisha Whittington⁽³⁾| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 62

6/1

Fair maiden who had a wind operation earlier in the year. Ran up to her best form when 4¼L sixth of 13 to Roller in a 1m½f handicap here last time, and drops in class now, so reasons to believe she could be competitive in a modest contest.

Form: 7-54336

(4)

Elena⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tyler Saunders⁽³⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 61

13/2

Inconsistent maiden who was short of her best when fifth of 11 to Canasta in a C&D handicap last time. Needs to step up on that to break her duck, but pick of her form puts her in the picture,

Form: 234935

(12)

Star Talent^v1⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Toby Eley⁽³⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 60

13/2

Does most of his race over further, and creditable efforts over 1½m here on his last two starts. Tried in a first-time visor now, and possibilities if the headgear sharpens him up appreciably.

Form: 436734

(10)

Storm Eleanor⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Dylan Hogan| T: H Morrison| OR: 59

7/2

Form has a rather patchy look, but she took a step back in right direction when 4¾L third of 10 to Colonel Slade over shorter here last time. Return to this trip will suit, and she's high on the shortlist.

Form: 054563

(9)

Strict^p²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Angus Villiers⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 58

16/1

Standout effort when third on handicap debut at Newbury in June, but he has regressed since, and latest tenth of 13 at Southwell does not inspire confidence.

Form: 956380

(7)

Triple Nickle^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Poppy Bridgwater| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 58

14/1

Not disgraced behind an easy winner (has scored again since) at Bath on penultimate start, and better than the bare result when sixth of 11 to Greengage over C&D last time. Could easily get involved with a bit of luck.

Form: 573746

(13)

Impressionable⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: W R Muir| OR: 57

9/2

Still a maiden, but has improved to post a pair of seconds in C&D handicaps the last twice. Creeping up the weights, but makes much more appeal than most here.

Form: 784422

(11)

Usanecolt³²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gavin Ashton⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 53

20/1

Has not shown a great deal in four starts, and failed to improve making handicap debut last time. Off since January, and possible he's improved for a lengthy break, but can't be backed on such suppositions.

Form: 780-9

(1)

Clovenstone¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 47

10/1

Nearer last than first in three runs on Tapeta at Newcastle this autumn, but did show more when 5¼L fifth of 15 to Red Gunner in a 1¼m handicap at Chelmsford last time. Needs to prove he can build on that back on this surface.

Form: 500005

(6)

Miss Green Dream^b1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 45

20/1

Placed four times in 17 starts, but form has slipped in recent starts, and the fitting of blinkers is unlikely to see this low-grade maiden turn things around.

Form: 237560

(8)

Daniel Dravot^p1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Aled Beech⁽³⁾| T: M J Attwater| OR: 45

40/1

Hasn't troubled the judge in eleven starts and, and an official rating of just 39 flatters him. Cheekpieces tried now, but makes no appeal.

Form: 888009

(2)

Margaret J^p⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁵⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 45

14/1

Seemed to show much improved form when 1½L third of 12 to Kerrera in handicap at Chelmsford last time, but perhaps helped by being held up in a strongly run race, and unwise to get carried away by that form.

Form: 675773

Non-Runners

(5)

Lady Morpheus²⁷

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: G & J Moore J: Louis Garoghan

Forecasts

Storm Eleanor (7/2), Impressionable (9/2), Ballet Red (6/1), Elena (13/2), Star Talent (13/2), Clovenstone (10/1), Triple Nickle (14/1), Margaret J (14/1), Lady Morpheus (14/1), Strict (16/1), Usanecolt (20/1), Miss Green Dream (20/1), Daniel Dravot (40/1)

Storm Eleanor ran one of her better races over a furlong shorter here last time, and with the return to this trip likely to suit, she deserves to be near the head of the market. Ballet Red takes a drop down the class ladder on her second start after a break, and is also considered, but a chance is taken at bigger odds on TRIPLE NICKLE, who has shaped better than the distance beaten on her last two starts, and looks capable of taking advantage of her current mark given a fair wind.