20:00 Wolverhampton

Monday 7 March 2022

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 20:00 | Winning time: 2m 38.42s

(6)

King Of The South^v³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 104| CD

7/4

Progressive in AW handicaps, winning 6 times, and lost little caste in defeat when runner-up in listed Winter Derby trial at Lingfield 4 weeks ago. Can go well again eased in class.

Form: 3711-12

(4)

Iberia^p1,t³⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: G Hanmer| OR: 97

33/1

Useful performer for Aidan O'Brien who landed a juvenile hurdle for John Halley at Gowran (2m) 12 months ago. Has changed hands again ahead of return and the betting may prove a useful guide.

Form: 532300/

(5)

Halimi^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 95| BF| D

14/1

Winless in handful of starts during 2021 but ran well in 3-runner minor event at Newcastle (10.2f) in January. Best not judged too harshly on latest Lingfield run and his mark has eased.

Form: 737-423

(2)

Pirate King¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 95| BF| D

17/2

11/4, 1½ lengths fourth of 7 to Celtic Art in handicap at Lingfield (12f, AW) 16 days ago, having every chance. Should give another good account from 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 480-644

(1)

Celtic Art¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J Scott| OR: 90| D

9/2

Bright start for present yard, making it 2 wins from last 3 starts when taking 7-runner handicap at Lingfield (12f) 16 days ago, having run of race. Handicapper applies a little more pressure now.

Form: 232-131

(3)

Clap Your Hands²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Hayley Turner| T: D M Simcock| OR: 88| CD

5/1

C&D winner. 10/1, good third of 7 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 29 days ago, doing well to lay down a challenge from an unpromising position/off steady gallop. One to consider.

Form: 115/3-33

(8)

Protected Guest¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: G G Margarson| OR: 88| D

11/2

Unreliable individual. Latest win at Lingfield in February. 9/2, good neck third to Celtic Art in handicap at Lingfield (12f) 16 days ago, best of those held up. Others preferred for win purposes.

Form: 23-2213

(7)

Bugle Major^h¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 85

12/1

15/2, 7¼ lengths last of 7 to Celtic Art in handicap at Lingfield (12f, AW) 16 days ago, not ideally placed. Needs to step up on recent efforts if he's to figure here.

Form: 5226-77

Forecasts

King Of The South (7/4), Celtic Art (9/2), Clap Your Hands (5/1), Protected Guest (11/2), Pirate King (17/2), Bugle Major (12/1), Halimi (14/1), Iberia (33/1)

A good quality contest with the vote in favour of CLAP YOUR HANDS. Back on his last winning mark, he did well to get bang into contention having been held up in a steadily-run race at Kempton 4 weeks ago and could be worth chancing to confirm the promise of that run. Halimi and King of The South are a couple of others fancied to feature.