16:10 Wolverhampton

Sunday 19 January 2020

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4016:10

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 2m 38.50s

(11)

Ghost Serge^v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 69

28/1

Tricky customer who so far has refused to budge in his two hurdles outings for this yard. Capable of some fair form on the Flat and ran on well after blowing the start here (1m1½f) last week. Longer trip should help but risky proposition.

Form: 61505/7

(6)

Star Ascending^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: J Candlish| OR: 68| CD

3/1

Five-time C&D winner (four under Joe Fanning) and has ran on well on his last two outings here over an inadequate trip (1m1½f). Return to 1m4f will suit and is 2lb below is last winning mark and is one for the shortlist.

Form: 35343-4

(9)

Noble Fox^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 70

6/4

11-race maiden, but hard to knock his previous three efforts when placed over 1m2f/1m4f. Longer trip last time (beaten a neck) unlocked further improvement resulting in a career best and has leading claims if building on that.

Form: 86023-2

(4)

Tiar Na Nog³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: D J Coakley| OR: 67

40/1

Dual turf winner who is 0-9 on AW surfaces. Handles this track/surface and is on a competitive mark, but would like to have seen more from her recently after another poor run at Lingfield (1m4f) last month.

Form: 155705-

(7)

Zoffany Bay^v²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: A Stronge| OR: 65| D

28/1

No impression when back on the Flat the last twice and needs to up his game if he's going to figure here (yet to win on Tapeta).

Form: 126/707-

(2)

Hooflepuff^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 65| CD

6/1

Been in fair form in recent months, including two wins over C&D. Ran well in defeat at Newcastle the last twice (1m4½f) and should be bang there once again back at this venue.

Form: 14414-6

(5)

Henry Croft⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Phil Dennis| T: A W Carroll| OR: 62

6/1

First run for 13 months when second over C&D 54 days ago, beaten a neck by Hooflepuff. Small rise in the weights means he's now 5lb above his last winning mark but lightly raced for his age and yard have had a good start to the year.

Form: 85217/2-

(1)

California Lad^t,v³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: F Birrane| OR: 61

40/1

Has won three times over 1m2½f at Dundalk and probably stays this trip. Has been out of form since finishing third over C&D in May and is best watched until there is evidence of a revival.

Form: 730009-

(3)

Double Reflection^v¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Theodore Ladd⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 60

33/1

On a handy mark but is 0-7 on the AW and her regressive form towards the end of 2019 leaves the mare with something to prove just now. Poor effort last time over 1m4f also a persuasive factor in looking elsewhere.

Form: 30609-7

(8)

Fayetta^b²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: D Loughnane| OR: 61

12/1

Well beaten on her last two starts, including 31L over C&D. Currently 0-20 and would take a big effort from the filly for her to finally get off the mark.

Form: 546270-

Non-Runners

(10)

Global Express⁹⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: T J FitzGerald J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Noble Fox (6/4), Star Ascending (3/1), Hooflepuff (6/1), Henry Croft (6/1), Fayetta (12/1), Global Express (25/1), Ghost Serge (28/1), Zoffany Bay (28/1), Double Reflection (33/1), Tiar Na Nog (40/1), California Lad (40/1)

Hooflepuff and HENRY CROFT are closely matched on C&D form in November and preference is for the latter to reverse the form after a break in the intervening period. Star Ascending has a good record under Joe Fanning and over this course, and has good claims of making the frame whilst Noble Fox showed improved form over this trip last time out.