17:00 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 2 September 2020

All16:3017:0017:3518:1018:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 1m 26.95s

(10)

La Rav²⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 75| BF| D

25/1

Winless but in excellent form in 2019, signing off with unlucky second in 7f Newcastle handicap final run. Off 9 months but not ruled out if back in good nick.

Form: 0/00242-

(9)

Swiss Pride^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: R A Teal| OR: 73| C

5/1

Course winner. 5/1, good third of 11 in handicap at Chelmsford City (6f) 11 days ago, finishing well. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 673033

(11)

Turanga Leela^b³⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mackie| OR: 72| BF| C

100/1

Course winner but last of 9 in handicap here (6.1f when last seen out 10 months ago. Fitness a big concern on her return here.

Form: 082249-

(2)

Castle Quarter^b⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: S Spencer| OR: 71| D

11/1

Both his wins have come on AW at Newcastle and he shaped as if retaining his abilitly after 8 months off when last of 13 in handicap at Thirsk (7f) 65 days ago, weakening only last 1f. Considered.

Form: 18313-0

(7)

Fresh Snow³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 74| BF

11/4

Fair form when second both runs, though found less than looked likely in 11-runner maiden over C&D (2/5) latter occasion. Makes handicap debut off stiff mark so needs more.

Form: 22

(4)

Gold Zabeel¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 73

5/2

Form is on an upward curve, and excellent second of 12 in handicap over C&D 10 days ago, just touched off having raced very keenly from outside draw. Has more to offer so interesting off same mark.

Form: 62382

(8)

Colonel Slade^t²⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 67| BF| C

8/1

Enjoyed successfufl 2019, scoring twice, and signed off with good third at Chelmsford City (8f). Off 9 months but this course winner is not taken lightly.

Form: 921143-

(5)

Strong Steps^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 64

33/1

22/1, creditable sixth of 11 in handicap at Ayr (8f, good to soft) 9 days ago. Cheekpieces back on so respected.

Form: 100-706

(1)

Araifjan¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J Mitchell| T: R A Fahey| OR: 66

12/1

Still a maiden but has shown promise on several occasions, including when seventh of 11 in 6f handicap at Pontefract 19 days ago from worst of draw. Expected to be bang there if stamina holds out.

Form: 4-34367

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(3)

Dancing Rave⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: D Nolan

(6)

Street Poet¹⁰

Weight: 9-5| Age: 7

T: M Herrington J: D Nolan

Forecasts

Gold Zabeel (5/2), Fresh Snow (11/4), Swiss Pride (5/1), Colonel Slade (8/1), Dancing Rave (8/1), Street Poet (10/1), Castle Quarter (11/1), Araifjan (12/1), La Rav (25/1), Strong Steps (33/1), Turanga Leela (100/1)

Lots with chances but GOLD ZABEEL is a colt on the up and much better drawn on the inside here than when a fine runner-up over C&D last time so gets a confident vote. Araifjan also looks ahead of his mark and is greatly feared if his stamina holds out over this longer trip, while Colonel Slade and Castle Quarter are two others worth a second look in an intriguing handicap.