14:10 Wolverhampton

Saturday 7 March 2020

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 1m 13.02s

(6)

Desert Doctor²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 95| CD

10/3

Versatile on synthetics and not disgraced in two defeats on the dirt track at Meydan's Dubai Carnival in January/February; ran respectable here over C&D in a pipe-opener in December so merits consideration. (Won this race from 3lb lower last year.)

Form: 4812-25

(2)

Embour¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 95| D

4/1

Not seen since finishing a highly commendable fifth in the Ayr Gold Cup last September, which came on the back of a profitable 2019 campaign. He's 1-2 on the AW and would have solid claims if handling the Tapeta; one to monitor in the betting.

Form: 502365-

(8)

Katheefa¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 93| CD

28/1

A C&D winner back in December and held his form well since; latest win on Fibresand was a solid effort but now leaves the gelding on a career-highest mark. Best recent efforts stack up well against the rest; another for the shortlist.

Form: 81-1641

(7)

Concierge¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: D Loughnane| OR: 91| CD

7/2

Had to be switched when delivering his challenge last time and showed tenacity to get his head in front inside the final furlong. Eventually won with a bit in hand and the 6lb rise might not be insurmountable. Solid claims once more.

Form: 99-3231

(4)

Treacherous¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: E De Giles| OR: 90| D

6/1

Shot up in the ratings after a couple of wins at Kempton last month; taking his tally to seven victories at that particular course. Has also won on Tapeta (at Newcastle) but stern test to uphold recent form with Concierge on his Wolverhampton bow.

Form: 290-611

(10)

El Hombre¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 88| CD

8/1

Something to find with Concierge and Treacherous on recent Kempton/Chelmsford form but does go well here and can go close if a couple of his main rivals under performed or hit trouble in running. Needs luck on his side.

Form: 433-454

(5)

Hart Stopper^p,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Hayley Turner| T: S C Williams| OR: 87| D

16/1

Never got competitive after being bumped at the start at Newcastle last month but had previously landed a Class 4 handicap at that course in January. Needs a personal best on the AW this time.

Form: 32-7210

(3)

Wasntexpectingthat³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| BF| D

13/2

Shot up the weights after a profitable spell since being asked to tackle the AW surfaces; three wins at Newcastle have resulted in a 20lb rise. Not out of this if adapting to Wolverhampton but needs everything to go his way.

Form: 011-212

Non-Runners

(9)

Deputise⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: M Wigham J: F Norton

(1)

Kimifive⁴⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: J Tuite J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Desert Doctor (10/3), Concierge (7/2), Embour (4/1), Treacherous (6/1), Wasntexpectingthat (13/2), El Hombre (8/1), Deputise (10/1), Hart Stopper (16/1), Kimifive (16/1), Katheefa (28/1)

Treacherous undoubtedly merits an interest and is respected in his bid for the three-timer. However, he's up another 4lb and his lack of experience at this course could be a crucial factor. His old rival, CONCIERGE, on the other hand, won with a bit to spare over C&D last month and is fancied to turn around last month's Kempton form with Treacherous, so edges a slender vote of confidence. Embour has an absence since September to overcome but has the ability to figure, while Wasntexpectingthat has been flying on the AW and also shouldn't be underestimated.Katheefa and last years winner Desert Doctor are others worth bearing in mind.