16:10 Wolverhampton

Saturday 2 January 2021

All16:1016:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:10

Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 2m 40.58s

(2)

Guroor²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Morgan Cole⁽⁵⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 84| CD

20/1

Two wins from 6 runs last year. Latest win over C&D in November. Well below best when last of 7 in handicap back here 4 weeks ago and he will need to bounce back here.

Form: 162917-

(1)

Battle Of Marathon¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Grace McEntee⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 84| C| D

12/1

Course winner who bounced back to form to score at Chelmsford (14f) in November. Best forgiven his latest effort here (paid price for big mid-race move) and no forlorn hope back down in trip.

Form: 975136-

(7)

Fair Star²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Russell| T: B Ellison| OR: 84| C

11/10

Lightly-raced dual winner on Flat. 9/4, creditable second of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 29 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Step back up in trip will hold no fears and he's a live player.

Form: 1122-

(8)

Inclyne³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carver| T: A M Balding| OR: 79| D

12/1

12/1, bit below form third of 6 in handicap at Chelmsford (10f) 30 days ago, needing stiffer test. Makes tapeta debut and this step back up in trip a plus.

Form: 4/13743-

(6)

Sula Island⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Miss Georgia King⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 78| D

12/1

Latest win at Chepstow in July. 13/2, creditable fourth of 11 in handicap at this C&D 50 days ago, the way the race unfolded not playing to her strengths. Sound each-way possibilities.

Form: 2/14324-

(5)

Lord Of The Alps¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 76| D

3/1

Opened his account at Beverley (12f) in June. Good second on first outing since at Kempton (12f) last month, squeezed out at a vital point but keeping on well. One to keep on side on that evidence.

Form: 26/5162-

(4)

Lopes Dancer²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Joanna Mason| T: W Bethell| OR: 73| D

33/1

Last of 9 in handicap (33/1) at Newcastle (16.2f) 21 days ago. Back down in trip and possible he will prove vulnerable to a couple here.

Form: 4/34249-

(3)

Madeeh^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 69| CD

15/2

Back to winning ways in a C&D event in October. Good placed efforts followed and probably best not judged too harshly on his latest display on the fibresand at Southwell.

Form: 951234-

Forecasts

Fair Star (11/10), Lord Of The Alps (3/1), Madeeh (15/2), Inclyne (12/1), Sula Island (12/1), Battle Of Marathon (12/1), Guroor (20/1), Lopes Dancer (33/1)

A winner at Beverley in June, LORD OF THE ALPS shaped encouragingly against race-fit rivals on return at Kempton last month, squeezed out at a vital point but noted keeping on for second. He's one to be interested in on that evidence and earns the vote in the hope this doesn't come too quickly. Dual-course winner Fair Star continues to go the right way and is feared, ahead of Inclyne.