20:00 Wolverhampton

Thursday 19 December 2019

All16:5017:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 2m 0.23s

(1)

Born To Reason^b⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 55| CD

10/1

Ran a stinker on penultimate start, but won here either side of that blow-out, and while he's facing a stiffer task under a penalty now, it would be folly to ignore him.

Form: 360101

(4)

Muraaqeb^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: J M Bradley| OR: 55| CD

4/1

Has won six times on AW this year, and no knocking his consistency. Ran well when runner-up at Chelmsford last time, and remains on a fair mark, so sure to give another solid account.

Form: 712132

(11)

Mamdood^t,v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S W Kelly| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 53

12/1

Won at Newcastle in October and similar form when placed here next time, but his form has tailed off on subsequent starts, and although he shaped a bit better last time, others make more appeal at present.

Form: 313689

(8)

Pike Corner Cross^t,v⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 52| CD

5/1

Now 1lb lower than when runner-up over C&D last month, and claims of running to that level again, but less encouragement to be drawn from more recent outings, and he's opposable on balance.

Form: 142567

(7)

Elena Osorio^b1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 54

9/2

Gradually improving since switched to handicaps, and ran with credit when third at Kempton last time. Needs a bit more to make a breakthrough, although blinkers could be the catalyst for that step forward.

Form: 784053

(13)

But I Like It^t,v²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: F Birrane| OR: 54

40/1

Placed twice in claimers in the summer, and while his more recent efforts don't read too well, he will probably find this easier than when facing higher rated rivals at Dundalk last time.

Form: 723600

(5)

Usanecolt¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 53

5/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Very good third of 12 in a C&D handicap early this month, and should come on for that outing having been off since January. One for the shortlist,

Form: 780-93

(2)

Necoleta^p1⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L P Keniry| T: S Kirk| OR: 53

7/1

Found things dropping right for her when winning at Kempton in October, but has found life a bit harder subsequently, albeit not disgraced. Needs to find some improvement for the fitting of cheekpieces.

Form: 321745

(9)

Sir Magnum^h¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Rob Hornby| T: A W Carroll| OR: 47

9/1

Runner-up twice this year, most recently in a minor event over C&D last time. Faces a stiffer task back in handicaps, and will do well to shed his maiden status in this contest.

Form: 270402

(6)

Mr Frankie^p²⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Siobhan Rutledge⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 45| CD

40/1

One creditable run in four starts this year for Roy Brotherton, and remains to be seen whether new yard can revive this gelding after a lengthy absence.

Form: 99-6378

(10)

Clovenstone¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: A C Whillans| OR: 46

20/1

Mot disgraced at Chelmsford on penultimate start, bit otherwise out of sorts this year, and not easy to see him turning things around here.

Form: 000050

Non-Runners

(3)

Tio Esteban⁴³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: W J Martin J: Non Runner

(12)

Molten Lava⁶

Weight: 8-12| Age: 7

T: S Gollings J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tio Esteban (7/2), Muraaqeb (4/1), Elena Osorio (9/2), Pike Corner Cross (5/1), Usanecolt (5/1), Necoleta (7/1), Sir Magnum (9/1), Born To Reason (10/1), Molten Lava (10/1), Mamdood (12/1), Clovenstone (20/1), But I Like It (40/1), Mr Frankie (40/1)

USANECOLT is unexposed, and ran his best race after a break here earlier in the month. If he can build on that, he should be hard to beat, although any slip-ups will present an opportunity to the prolific Muraaqeb, who is at the top of his game at present. Elena Osorio is going the right way, and is another to bear in mind now sporting headgear.