19:20 Wolverhampton

Saturday 7 December 2019

All16:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Betway Handicap

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 2m 39.08s

(6)

Francis Xavier¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: C Lee| T: K Frost| OR: 103| D

9/2

Returned to the AW for the first time in two years when scaling new heights in a tactical Class 2 handicap at Newcastle (1m4f), beating the reopposing Paths of Glory by ¾L; 4lb higher (2lb worse off).

Form: 705121

(2)

Island Brave¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: H Main| OR: 98| CD

8/1

6-17 on the AW (& fifth in the 2018 Northumberland Plate); very highly tried on turf during the summer months (including at Group 3 level) after beating the subsequent Old Newton Cup winner Kelly's Dino at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June.

Form: 660539

(3)

Paths Of Glory^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 98| BF| CD

6/4

Has improved beyond all recognition since the summer (rising almost 20lb in the handicap); lost his unbeaten AW record to Francis Xavier in a muddling affair at Newcastle (1m4f) 16 days ago; 2lb higher (2lb better off); can he extract his revenge?

Form: 101112

(4)

Getchagetchagetcha^p⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 98| D

11/2

Finished runner up to Jahbath in a 1m conditions race at Kempton (March) on his sole previous AW start; 3lb higher than when taking a similar contest at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft) in June; others make more appeal.

Form: 261843

(7)

Busy Street⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 93| D

14/1

A likeable AW handicapper (1m4f-2m) who may have just about reached the ceiling of his abilities from a mark in the low 90's; was a gallant ¾L runner up to Reshoun at Kempton (2m) on his penultimate start.

Form: 662823

(1)

Fire Fighting¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| D

40/1

A stalwart of 91 races (13 wins) who has amassed over £180,000 in prize money; sadly has struggled for form since the spring, finishing last of 14 (66-1) to the bang-in-form All Yours at Kempton (1m3f) 18 days ago; unlikely.

Form: 942600

(8)

Lunar Jet¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Toby Eley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Mackie| OR: 90

40/1

A four-time winner on turf, including in back-to-back renewals of a Cl 3 April handicap at Newbury (1m2f); 0-3 on the AW (does handle Tapeta) and has work to do with both Francis Xavier and Paths Of Glory on the basis of recent Newcastle form.

Form: 320667

(5)

All Yours¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Joey Haynes| T: S Curran| OR: 89| D

7/2

Placed in a competitive maiden here (1m1½f) in August but 3-3 on Polytrack at Kempton (1m3f-1m4f) since, rising from Cl 4 (78-rated) to Cl 2 (86-rated) handicaps; was always just holding the runner up Creationist and the third Good Tidings latest.

Form: 4/23111

Forecasts

Paths Of Glory (6/4), All Yours (7/2), Francis Xavier (9/2), Getchagetchagetcha (11/2), Island Brave (8/1), Busy Street (14/1), Fire Fighting (40/1), Lunar Jet (40/1)

A strong Class 2 handicap which features the fast-improving duo PATHS OF GLORY and All Yours. The selection lost his unbeaten AW record to the reopposing Francis Xavier in a messy tactical affair at Newcastle (1m4f) recently, and he's fancied to extract his revenge tonight on 2lb better terms. All Yours is 3 from 3 on the Polytrack at Kempton, and in receipt of 10lbs from the Hugo Palmer-trained runner could prove a worthy adversary, while it would also be foolish to rule out a positive showing from Heather Main's Island Brave.