15:25 Wolverhampton

Thursday 26 December 2019

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

betyourway At Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 1m 59.52s

(3)

Creative Talent²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: A W Carroll| OR: 60| CD

7/1

Won at Brighton in August on his return from a short break but three suns since have been below par; especially flat last time out and very possible the handicapper has him exactly where he wants him. Tough ask on these terms.

Form: 461770

(12)

Dark Devil^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S A Gray| T: P Morris| OR: 60

20/1

Lost his way towards the end of his time with Richard Fahey and there wasn't much of a spark on debut for his new yard/Tapeta bow last time; did finish in front of Creative Talent but was never near enough to pose a serious threat to the winner.

Form: 340488

(10)

Amor Fati¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Laura Pearson⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 60| CD

16/1

Back below his last winning mark after a series of modest efforts and is hard to recommend after being brushed aside in this grade the last twice. The fact he likes this course isn't redeeming enough factor at present.

Form: 600890

(5)

King Oswald^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: J W Unett| OR: 58| CD

11/1

Back on a winning mark and has been shaping as if he can get competitive at this sort of level again; dangerous to omit from the plans over a C&D which has been a happy hunting ground.

Form: 268476

(1)

Bell Heather^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P Morris| OR: 58| CD

10/1

Another who likes it around these turns and is on a potentially dangerous mark; needs to better her last two starts but no surprise if she raises her game under an in-form rider. Could be good value to make the frame.

Form: 850500

(11)

Sunshineandbubbles¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: P D Evans| OR: 56| CD

4/1

Won on debut for David Evans earlier in the month and also went close from this mark a week later. Interesting that the mare is being kept busy after her summer break and no surprise to see her in the mix from what is still a competitive rating.

Form: 730013

(6)

Necoleta^p⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L P Keniry| T: S Kirk| OR: 52| CD

9/4

Carries a 6lb penalty for an easy 3¾L win over C&D last week; a win which came on the back of a string of solid performances. Lots to like about the manner of that win and the filly could easily have a lot more to offer.

Form: 217451

(4)

Just Once²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 57

10/1

Gone close on turf on a few occasions but still to win a race and limitations exposed once more outpaced near the finish at Kempton last month; has a race within her but might be best watched on her first run at Wolverhampton.

Form: 823384

(13)

Seaforth¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: A Wintle| OR: 53| CD

10/1

Another with a fair record at Dunstall Park but most of his better efforts have been posted over a shorter trip and given that he was held off a 2lb lower mark last time out, this trip might beyond his best at present.

Form: 400615

(8)

Odds On Oli¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 52

12/1

Losing run is mounting up and the gelding has so far been unable to exploit a plummeting handicap mark. Held off this mark here ten days ago and he looks opposable at present.

Form: 6-06298

(9)

Valentine Mist¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: James Grassick| OR: 46

40/1

A long time since he started a race at single figure odds but he has a 100/1 win to his name and was also placed at a fanciful price here earlier this month. Risky for win only but the fact he's proved he can cause a shock is worth bearing in mind.

Form: 910003

(7)

Longville Lilly^b³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: T Wall| OR: 45

100/1

Well beaten in all starts so far (0-10) and has never yet shown much on Tapeta to merit consideration. Would be very surprising if she's good enough to win from just out of the weights.

Form: 880870

(2)

Another Approach¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: J F Egan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 45

16/1

Yard won this race last year but this filly lacks a convincing profile and needs a big step forward from her debut run for the stable (finished a modest fifth of eight here last time out). Others readily preferred.

Form: 898705

Forecasts

Necoleta (9/4), Sunshineandbubbles (4/1), Creative Talent (7/1), Just Once (10/1), Seaforth (10/1), Bell Heather (10/1), King Oswald (11/1), Odds On Oli (12/1), Amor Fati (16/1), Another Approach (16/1), Dark Devil (20/1), Valentine Mist (40/1), Longville Lilly (100/1)

NECOLETA is the one with the most scope for improvement and is taken to follow up last week's easy course win despite being set to carry a 6lb penalty. The cheekpieces brought her to life that day and, with the headgear retained, this looks teed-up for another big run. King Oswald likes it here and can make the selection work hard for her keep, while Sunshineandbubbles has been perked up by a recent switch in yards and, along with Valentine Mist, merits consideration as a more adventurous each-way option.