13:40 Wolverhampton

Thursday 26 December 2019

All13:4014:1514:5015:2515:5516:2516:55

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 1m 27.24s

(8)

Smokey Lane^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Laura Pearson⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 75

9/1

A five-time sprint winner on turf - best with give in the ground but has won on good to firm - but he's 0-9 on the AW and form over 7f is uninspiring. Ran well over 6f on Fibresand earlier in the month but up a furlong and has a bit to prove.

Form: 911053

(11)

The Game Of Life¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: M Herrington| OR: 75

25/1

Won over a mile (at Dundalk) when with Joseph O'Brien in Ireland but posted lacklustre efforts in both previous starts for his current yard. Down in class but still has a bit to find.

Form: 806300

(7)

Soar Above⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J Butler| OR: 75| D

8/1

Won twice on the Polytrack at Kempton in the summer but the handicapper seems to have assumed control since. Poor displays both previous runs on Tapeta and he's another who needs to bounce back from below par runs.

Form: 711708

(5)

Waqaas²⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 75| D

33/1

Has endured several long gaps between his races and has to be a concern that he's again been sidelined since March; on a handy mark by way of compensation and dangerous to rule out on that score. Worth a betting check nonetheless.

Form: 17085-0

(10)

Beryl The Petal^v¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 74| D

14/1

No problem with 7f and handles this course well enough; 0-7 on the AW but has been placed four times. Should strip fitter after returning over 6f here earlier in the month and no surprise to see a more accomplished display this time; shortlisted.

Form: 468608

(12)

Robero^e/s⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 73| CD

4/1

Has a C&D win to his name and dangerously well handicapped on the pick of his old form. Slight query as to whether a longer trip is more suitable these days but can be considered a player from 9lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 452920

(6)

Ghaith^e/s1⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 72

7/2

Less exposed than the rest and ran well in both previous starts in handicap company. Placed on his only other run on Tapeta and noteworthy an eye-shield is in place this time around. Highly interesting contender with a skillful 3lb claimer booked.

Form: 34323

(9)

Baltic Prince²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 70| CD

16/1

Readily overhauled at Kempton last time out and is another who seems to be below his best at present. He's won over C&D before and should have the race run to suit but needs to better recent performance. Wide draw not ideal.

Form: 044909

(1)

Roller^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 68| C

6/1

Won over an extended mile here last month but found out under a 7lb higher mark at Chemlsford a fortnight ago and seems to have reverted to type. He's 2-6 on the AW and is becoming harder to predict these days.

Form: 500015

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 25p in the pound

Non-Runners

(4)

Inaam³³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: J Butler J: Joey Haynes

(2)

Atletico¹³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 7

T: P D Evans J: Non Runner

(3)

Knowing Glance²⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: R A Fahey J: Barry McHugh

Forecasts

Inaam (15/8), Knowing Glance (3/1), Ghaith (7/2), Robero (4/1), Roller (6/1), Soar Above (8/1), Smokey Lane (9/1), Atletico (12/1), Beryl The Petal (14/1), Baltic Prince (16/1), The Game Of Life (25/1), Waqaas (33/1)

INAAM easily saw off threats from the likes of Knowing Glance here last month and, having gone well from this sort of mark before, he is a solid option to go in again. Ghaith has plenty of scope for improvement and appeals as a live danger, while Beryl The Petal and Waqaas are others in with very reasonable chances of at least making the frame, too. Any support for Robero would also be noteworthy.