18:10 Wolverhampton

Monday 9 March 2020

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:12 | Winning time: 1m 59.84s

(11)

Let Rip¹⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: David Probert| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 77

18/1

Makes seasonal/stable debut and has the services of the in-form Tom Marquand. This stable aren't readily associated with winners under this code. Is eased in grade on his return to action but was underwhelming when last seen. Market best guide.

Form: 21/5444-

(2)

Howzer Black^b¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 74

12/1

0-8 on AW. Slightly better off at the weights with Clem A after finishing a half-length behind that rival at Newcastle (1m2f; standard to slow). Unlikely to reverse the form, and looks vulnerable to rivals on the up.

Form: 586-544

(6)

Clem A³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: J Parr| OR: 73| CD

11/4

Still unexposed after just six starts on AW, and was not disgraced in hat-trick bid when third to a similarly progressive rival at Newcastle (1m2f; standard to slow). 1lb higher, and should make bold bid to regain winning thread.

Form: 4951-13

(7)

One To Go¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Adam J McNamara| T: A Watson| OR: 73

7/1

Going the right way and narrowly lost out to a well fancied sort at Lingfield (1m2f; standard) over slightly further last month. Joint career-high mark to contend with after recent good run of form, but has to feature high on the shortlist.

Form: 48-6132

(1)

Grey D'Ars¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: N P Littmoden| OR: 72

18/1

Yet to win since arriving on these shores. Record on the AW is concerning (0-8), and he has produced some woeful efforts in defeat of late. Dropped 3lb since latest run, but needs to show much more encouragement before faith is placed into him.

Form: 439-670

(4)

One Cool Daddy⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: M Dwyer| T: D K Ivory| OR: 72

10/1

Hasn't won a race since his debut at Kempton in early 2018. Looks like he is starting to get the hang of things in handicap company. Bounced back from recent low-key effort to finish fourth at Kempton (1m; standard to slow). Eased in grade now.

Form: 00258-4

(8)

Flying Dragon^h¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 71

15/2

Modest strike rate (1-19), and is yet to win on the AW (albeit only had two starts on this surface). Possibly had excuses when upped in trip recently. Claims on the strength of his penultimate start when second to a more experienced AW rival.

Form: 2325-26

(9)

Nearly Perfection²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 71

33/1

Makes her handicap debut after finishing in behind some decent rivals the last twice over C&D. Stable are having winners at present, and it will be interesting to see how well she copes with the switch to this sphere. Market check advised.

Form: 7-45

(5)

Keswick^b,t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: H Main| OR: 71| CD

10/1

Last taste of success came over this C&D, but losing run is mounting up and he failed to make any significant impression at Lingfield (1m2f; standard) last month when finishing down the field. Looks regressive, and can be opposed.

Form: 6534-59

(3)

Daafr³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 64| CD

4/1

Taken advantage of reduced mark to record two course victories in a row, the most recent of those over C&D. Now goes in search of a hat-trick, and still looks well-handicapped but is worse off at the weights with Guvenor's Choice. Major claims.

Form: 680-911

Non-Runners

(10)

Guvenor's Choice³

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: Grant Tuer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Clem A (11/4), Daafr (4/1), Guvenor's Choice (5/1), One To Go (7/1), Flying Dragon (15/2), One Cool Daddy (10/1), Keswick (10/1), Howzer Black (12/1), Let Rip (18/1), Grey D'Ars (18/1), Nearly Perfection (33/1)

There are a whole host of in-form rivals in this contest, which means this promises to be an entertaining horse race. The handicap debutante Nearly Perfection is interesting, as is Clem A whose third at Newcastle last time doesn't look too bad with the winner going in again since. One To Go is also considered given his current run of form. This can be fought out between the hat-trick seeking Daafr and GUVENOR'S CHOICE. The former beat the latter narrowly at the start of the month. However, with the promise of more to come from the latter given that was his first start in five months and the fact there is a 5lb swing between the pair, he can come out on top.