12:20 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 5 January 2022

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3515:0515:3516:08

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 1m 58.53s

(5)

Trusty Scout^t¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Laura Pearson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 60| D

40/1

Off the mark in a Hamilton seller (9f) for David O'Meara in September. Limited impact on Flat/over hurdles for present stable, albeit going off too hard at Market Rasen on Boxing Day.

Form: 859120-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Almufeed¹¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Grace McEntee⁽³⁾| T: S Curran| OR: 59

5/2

Lightly-raced maiden on Flat who wasn't disgraced when sixth in 14-runner Kempton handicap (11f) when last seen in September, despite hanging right. Less exposed than most so not ruled out.

Form: 07876-

(8)

Broken Rifle¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: H Bethell| OR: 59| BF| CD

6/1

Sole success from 27 starts came over C&D 11 months ago but arrives here in good order, again not seen to quite best effect when close up seventh over this trip 10 days ago. One to bear in mind.

Form: 574347-

(9)

Pilot Wings²⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Marco Ghiani| T: A W Carroll| OR: 59| CD

22/1

Quirky sort who was in good form when last seen, keeping on for third over 10f at Lingfield when last seen in April. Possible this run will be needed on the back of 8 months off.

Form: 5/15723-

(7)

The Game Is On^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 58| CD

5/2

C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2020. 5/1, creditable second of 12 in handicap at this C&D 16 days ago, headed final 1f but keeping on. Should continue in form from this sort of mark.

Form: 507032-

(1)

City Escape¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 57

7/2

5/1, stepped up on yard debut and looked unlucky when close-up sixth of 12 in C&D handicap 10 days ago, headway when short of room over 1f out. One of the likelier types here under Hollie Doyle.

Form: 359806-

(3)

Bonnie Lad^p⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 58

16/1

Latest win at Chelmsford (10f) in August. Good second of 14 in handicap back at that venue (10f) 44 days ago, helped by being held up in strongly-run race. Not taken lightly.

Form: 516702-

(10)

Qr Passion¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 57

12/1

Thrice-raced maiden who has ran to only a modest form in trio of novice events at around 1m to date. However, did hint at better at Kempton in August and he may do better now handicapping.

Form: 6/65-

(4)

Sir Taweel^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: N B King| OR: 57

33/1

Struggled over hurdles for this yard but did at least step up on his AW return in November when 4 lengths fourth in a C&D handicap last month. Each-way possibilities.

Form: 140004-

(6)

New Look^p¹⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Joanna Mason⁽³⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 45

125/1

Remains winless on these shores and operating below best when last seen during the summer. Others make greater appeal back from a 4-month break.

Form: 050668-

Non-Runners

(11)

It's A Love Thing³²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: J Butler J: S W Kelly

Forecasts

Almufeed (5/2), The Game Is On (5/2), City Escape (7/2), Broken Rifle (6/1), Qr Passion (12/1), It's A Love Thing (14/1), Bonnie Lad (16/1), Pilot Wings (22/1), Sir Taweel (33/1), Trusty Scout (40/1), New Look (125/1)

A competitive opener with the vote in favour of CITY ESCAPE. She remains a maiden but there was definite encouragement to glean from her close-up sixth in a C&D handicap 10 days ago and she is fancied to go well again from this sort of mark. Broken Rifle, who was just behind the selection then, and The Game Is On head the dangers, whilst Qr Passion requires a market check on handicap debut.