17:10 Wolverhampton

Friday 27 December 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1016:4017:10

Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:11 | Winning time: 1m 56.90s

(1)

Kaser²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: D Loughnane| OR: 83| CD

5/1

Three-time course winner, including over this trip in October, not beaten far over C&D last time out but requires a bit more to defy this rating.

Form: 167183

(2)

Scofflaw^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Laura Pearson⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 81| CD

16/1

C&D winner last month and since run well at Kempton having been raised 4lb for the win (was effectively up 11lb with claimer missing). Not discounted as Laura Pearson gets back on board now.

Form: 554513

(10)

Gabrials Boy²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

20/1

Low-mileage Ripon maiden winner, ran well enough on Tapeta bow over 1m4f here early in the month and possible could be more to come in the Marwan Koukash silks.

Form: 43104

(4)

Storm Ahead^b¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80| CD

13/2

C&D winner last month from 6lb lower rating, has twice run well since that and wouldn't be hard to imagine him in the frame again.

Form: 338123

(8)

Snow Ocean^h²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: P D Evans| OR: 80| CD

11/4

Seeking a hat-trick after wins at Southwell and over C&D. Remains unexposed over this trip and should go well again despite latest hike in the ratings.

Form: 892711

(11)

Classic Design⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 79| CD

7/2

Won a maiden over C&D last month, makes first start in handicap company and seemingly will have to improve again to double tally.

Form: 831

(9)

Red Bond²⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79| CD

12/1

Lightly-raced course winner, went close in a Doncaster handicap in March when last spotted. Well worth a market check on return from an absence and looks capable of further progress.

Form: 56-112

(3)

Paddyplex^p³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: T Davidson| OR: 76

11/1

Newcastle winner in 2017 but hasn't scored since, sports first-time cheekpieces on first run for new trainer and watching brief advised for now.

Form: 490-576

(7)

First Response^t³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 76

14/1

Winner of Classified Stakes at Newcastle in October over a mile; twice gone well in handicaps since and should be in the mix returned to Tapeta after failing to get into challenging position from the rear at Chelmsford last time.

Form: 265177

(5)

Motawaafeq¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 77| C

11/1

Finished fourth in three races in France earlier this year including at Compiegne (1m, good-to-soft) in September. Debuting for this yard when winning by ½L over 7f here 13 days ago. Interesting runner up in distance.

Form: 4441

(6)

Street Poet¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: M Herrington| OR: 71| CD

50/1

Rattled off a four-timer at this track earlier this year (7f-1m1½f) but handicapper more or less in control since and beaten 10L here recently. Opposable.

Form: 140470

Forecasts

Snow Ocean (11/4), Classic Design (7/2), Kaser (5/1), Storm Ahead (13/2), Paddyplex (11/1), Motawaafeq (11/1), Red Bond (12/1), First Response (14/1), Scofflaw (16/1), Gabrials Boy (20/1), Street Poet (50/1)

The hat-trick seeking SNOW OCEAN scored well over C&D last time and David Evans' gelding is capable of overcoming a 5lb ratings-rise, with plenty scope for better over this sort of trip. Laura Pearson gets back on board Scofflaw and they were winners around here last month. The claim ensures they have valid reasons to be considered again. Maiden winner Classic Design must improve again while Gabrials Boy is one that could do better and the returning Red Bond needs plenty scrutiny in the betting.