18:30 Wolverhampton

Monday 15 February 2021

All16:2516:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:31 | Winning time: 2m 3.21s

(6)

Sky Defender¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103

13/2

Three wins from 15 runs last year. 3/1, 2¼ lengths third of 4 to Assimilation in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 19 days ago. May well come on for that (first run for 12 weeks) and couldn't rule out.

Form: 30226-3

(8)

Goring^p²⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 100

40/1

Running below form when pulled up in handicap at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm, 40/1) on latest start 8 months ago. 12 lb higher back on AW and cheekpieces refitted. Others make more appeal.

Form: 2/2416P-

(1)

Assimilation¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 99| CD

4/1

Course winner. 15/2, career best when winning 4-runner handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 19 days ago, conceding first run. In the form of his life and another bold show anticipated.

Form: 57D1-31

(4)

Power Of States^t,v¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 98| BF| CD

7/4

C&D winner. Five wins from 19 Flat runs. Three wins from 9 runs last year. 2¾ lengths last of 4 to Assimilation in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW, 11/8) 19 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 1113-14

(5)

Al Muffrih^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 91

6/1

25/1, fourth of 7 in handicap at this course (8.6f) 7 days ago, left poorly placed. Has slipped to a potentially handy mark, but will probably find one or two too good all the same.

Form: 0324-44

(2)

Crownthorpe¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91

10/1

Latest win at Southwell in January. Respectable fifth of 10 in handicap (9/1) at Kempton (8f) 12 days ago. 1 lb lower now and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 823-165

(3)

Fox Premier^t⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 91

16/1

Returning from wind op and last of 7 in handicap at Chelmsford City (10f, 13/2) 60 days ago, left poorly placed. Makes tapeta debut. Tongue strap back on. Bit to prove at present.

Form: 192/007-

(7)

Sarvan¹⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 85WS

6/1

Cheekpieces on for 1st time, last of 7 in handicap at Newmarket (9f, good, 8/1) when last seen in September. Now 3 lb lower and claims if able to bounce back following a break/wind surgery.

Form: 321957-

Forecasts

Power Of States (7/4), Assimilation (4/1), Sarvan (6/1), Al Muffrih (6/1), Sky Defender (13/2), Crownthorpe (10/1), Fox Premier (16/1), Goring (40/1)

A 3 lb rise for ASSIMILATION's ready success at Lingfield looks very fair indeed, and Ed Walker's charge is taken to enhance his fine all-weather strike rate, which currently stands at 6-20. Sky Defender was beaten 2¼ lengths into third in that race and, now 4 lb better off with Assimilation, he is entitled to finish closer this time. Sarvan will also be a threat if taking to this surface.