18:40 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 5 February 2020

All17:0517:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 1m 59.35s

(11)

Traveller^t,v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 59| CD

8/1

Posted only his second career win (first since February 2017) when a half-length winner over C&D last month. Been competitive on plenty of occasions off this mark, but unlikely to go in again. Vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 42539-1

(7)

Deleyll^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: J Butler| OR: 59| CD

2/1

Took advantage of a falling handicap mark to spring a minor surprise at Kempton (1m2f; standard to slow) in a way which suggested he could do with a step up in trip. Drop back to 1m1f is slightly concerning, but he has won over it before.

Form: 88994-1

(2)

Mr Carbonator^p1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: P A Kirby| OR: 59| CD

6/1

Took a step back in the right direction after a trio of lesser efforts to finish third on his first start of 2020 at Newcastle (1m2f; standard). C&D winner, but he hasn't tasted success in just over two years. Place claims.

Form: 22675-3

(12)

Natty Dresser^p⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: William Carson| T: Debbie Hughes| OR: 58

100/1

Well-beaten on his return from over a year off the track when fifth of six at Southwell (1m; standard) last month. That defeat took his overall record to 0-16. Hard to enthuse over and others seem much more solid.

Form: 93072/5-

(3)

Rock Up In Style²⁰³

80/1

Sole career success was achieved over C&D. However, on recent form he is impossible to fancy. Tailed off on two of his previous three starts, and the stable haven't had a winner in just over two years (46 runners in that time).

Form: 888009-

(5)

Thawry²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Russell⁽⁷⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 57

10/1

13lb below last winning mark, and he doesn't look ready to fully take advantage of reduced mark just yet. Not been disgraced the last twice, but poor strike-rate (1-30) would obviously advise caution.

Form: 84495-5

(1)

Apache Blaze^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: George Rooke⁽⁷⁾| T: R Brisland| OR: 56

14/1

Doesn't tend to win very often and she is 0-15 on the AW. Did post a much-improved performance when dropped back to this trip over C&D to finish second 12 days ago. In the mix if able to build upon that effort.

Form: 7445-82

(4)

Sunshineandbubbles^v¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: P D Evans| OR: 56| CD

12/1

Four-time C&D winner who drops back in trip after running a respectable race over 1m4f at this track last month. Remains 3lb above her last winning mark, but on previous form she doesn't look badly handicapped.

Form: 00137-3

(6)

Vipin^p1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 54

6/1

13-race maiden whose standout run on his CV came over C&D. However, that was seven starts ago, and he has been struggling since then. Failed to get seriously involved when only fifth in a seller last month.

Form: 6548-75

(9)

Kybosh^b1,t⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Theodore Ladd⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 49| BF

5/1

Turned out quickly again after failing to justify favouritism (was sent off 7-2f) at Kempton (1m; standard to slow) on Saturday. Quite a consistent sort, but is beginning to prove frustrating and his record now stands at 0-11.

Form: 335-353

Non-Runners

(8)

Red Gunner²

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: D M Loughnane J: Elisha Whittington

(10)

Archdeacon³⁷

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: D K Ivory J: Sophie Ralston

Forecasts

Deleyll (2/1), Kybosh (5/1), Vipin (6/1), Mr Carbonator (6/1), Traveller (8/1), Thawry (10/1), Red Gunner (10/1), Sunshineandbubbles (12/1), Apache Blaze (14/1), Archdeacon (25/1), Rock Up In Style (80/1), Natty Dresser (100/1)

A tricky contest to figure out, with the consistent but frustrating Kybosh likely to be fancied yet again despite failing to justify favouritism for the third time in his career when bumping into an in-form rival at Kempton recently. Apache Blaze is interesting if she manages to build upon her encouraging effort over C&D last time out, while Mr Carbonator rarely runs a poor race and with the services of Ben Curtis it would be a surprise to see him finish out of the frame. The vote is shaded in favour of SUNSHINEANDBUBBLES who is difficult to oppose when running at this track (three-time C&D winner) and proved his wellbeing when placed over 1m4f here last time out.