17:50 Wolverhampton

Saturday 14 December 2019

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

Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap

Off time: 17:54 | Winning time: 1m 26.53s

(3)

Zafaranah²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 80| CD

12/1

Consistent filly on the AQ and having gained a deserved win at Chelmsford (1m) in September, has been runner-up in three outings since. 6lb above that winning mark but only beaten a neck last time and cannot be ruled out.

Form: 351222

(4)

Ginger Fox^p²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁵⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 79| D

4/1

Made a winning debut for this yard at Kempton (6f) 25 days ago. Up 4lb for that victory and his best form previously had been over this trip so should be able to get involved again with a rising apprentice in the saddle.

Form: 442491

(8)

Jackstar³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 79| BF| CD

13/8

Was highly tried for most of his starts on the turf this year but returned to the AW at Kempton (7f) he finished fifth after not getting a clear run. Won on his only previous start over C&D in March and could gain compensation.

Form: 809685

(1)

Howzer Black^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79| D

10/1

Form this year has an uneven look to it. Did manage to get his head in front at Carlisle (7f) off 2lb lower but has struggled off these higher marks generally. Never get involved at Newcastle (6f) last time and needs a career best.

Form: 704258

(9)

Reckless Endeavour³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T D Barron| OR: 78| D

10/1

Without a win since late 2018, but has fallen to a more manageable handicap mark as a result (eased some 16lb or so). Returned from 182 days off with two good efforts at Newcastle (6f) and a repeat of those would see him in the shake-up.

Form: 666724

(10)

Merricourt⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: I Jardine| OR: 78

14/1

Built on some earlier promise switched to the AW at Dundalk; he won over 1m before being beaten ½L conceding weight to a higher-rated rival last time. Joined this yard since and takes a drop in trip but has leading claims on that form.

Form: 6-53312

(7)

Self Assessment²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 78| CD

16/1

Appreciated the return to the AW and drop in grade when winning at Chelmsford (7f) two starts ago but couldn't follow-up back into Class 4 company at Kempton (7f) after a 5lb rise. May find this too tough once again.

Form: 462019

(6)

The Game Of Life¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: M Herrington| OR: 78

33/1

Won twice at Dundalk (both 1m) for Joseph O'Brien. Joined this yard for 11,000 gns recently but didn't get involved on his debut for them here (1m½f) two weeks ago. May need to drop further in the handicap before showing his true form.

Form: 180630

(5)

Human Nature^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: S C Williams| OR: 77| D

12/1

Took advantage of a reduced handicap mark and drop in class when winning at Chelmsford (7f) seven weeks ago. Back up 5lb but still lower than when winning at Yarmouth in August 2018 and his yard continue to be in good form.

Form: 855841

(2)

Nick Vedder²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: E J Walsh| T: R Brisland| OR: 77| D

50/1

Has won three times on this surface at Newcastle (6f/1m) and should appreciate the return to it here after three runs at Southwell. Didn't run too badly there but back on his favoured surface and 3lb below his last win, is worth a second look.

Form: 035876

(11)

Kupa River^h⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 76| C| D

20/1

Won three times earlier in the year but has been struggling to land a blow as a result in better races since the Summer. Ran a decent fifth at Newcastle (6f) two starts ago but disappointed back there last time.

Form: 133057

(12)

Barrington^v¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 75

40/1

Record on the AW is now 0-6 after a disappointing run at Lingfield (7f) 10 days ago. That was a better contest than this and he hadn't ran badly when beaten 2¾L over C&D two runs ago so has each-way claims.

Form: 0V4-558

Forecasts

Jackstar (13/8), Ginger Fox (4/1), Reckless Endeavour (10/1), Howzer Black (10/1), Zafaranah (12/1), Human Nature (12/1), Merricourt (14/1), Self Assessment (16/1), Kupa River (20/1), The Game Of Life (33/1), Barrington (40/1), Nick Vedder (50/1)

A fiercely competitive handicap where it is difficult to have great confidence but after an unlucky run at Kempton and now returning to this course, JACKSTAR gets the verdict. Human Nature returned to winning ways last time and is still feasibly handicapped for a yard that continue to go well whilst Zafaranah has been very consistent in recent weeks and is likely to give her running again.