13:00 Wolverhampton

Tuesday 5 July 2022

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Making Employment Thrive MET Handicap

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 1m 2.01s

(2)

Charming Kid^t⁵⁰

17/2

C&D winner last summer who hasn't been operating at the same level this year, last of 13 in handicap at Windsor (5.1f, good to firm, 50/1) 50 days ago. Has undergone wind surgery since and worth noting if market vibes are strong.

Form: 45-9850

(4)

Duke Of Firenze¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 9-8| J: Laura Pearson⁽³⁾| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 59| D

9/1

Veteran who showed a little more than previously this term (despite a poor draw) when seventh of 13 in handicap at Chester (5.1f, good to firm) 10 days ago, making some late headway. No forlorn hope down in class.

Form: 60-6607

(1)

My Joker⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Ray Dawson| T: M J Attwater| OR: 63

6/1

Ran up to best for this yard when third in a C&D handicap in May but proved to be a disappointment when last of 8 in handicap (10/1) at Windsor (5.1f, good to firm) 8 days ago, never travelling well. Bounce back possible.

Form: 733348

(8)

Dash For It²⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 63

15/2

Lightly-raced maiden. 14/1, seventh of 11 in nursery at Bath (5.7f, good) in September, no extra entering final 1f. Returns with yard in good form at least if a break has had positive effect.

Form: 06567-

(6)

Secretfact³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: M S Saunders| OR: 57| CD

14/1

C&D winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2020. 11/1, fifth of 8 in handicap at Chepstow (5.1f, good to firm) 39 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 5-74045

(3)

Scale Force^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 57| CD

4/1

C&D winner. Seventeen runs since last win in 2021. Ninth of 12 in handicap (14/1) at Yarmouth (6f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Return to AW rates a plus here.

Form: 745449

(10)

Sir Philip²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H Candy| OR: 61

11/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 25/1, sixth of 8 in minor event at Bath (5f, good) 24 days ago, never nearer. Makes handicap debut and interesting if market vibes are positive.

Form: 856

(5)

Munificent^p⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 53| CD

5/1

C&D winner in February. Seventh of 8 in handicap at Chelmsford (6f, 12/1) 68 days ago. However, drop back to 5f/return to this venue both likely positives back from a short break.

Form: 06-4127

(9)

The Tron^v²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: D Shaw| OR: 52| CD

10/1

C&D winner. 2 wins from 5 runs this year. 15/2, eleventh of 12 in handicap at Yarmouth (6f, good to soft) 27 days ago. That was his first start for 4 months and better showing anticipated back on AW.

Form: 2-11360

(7)

Billy Dylan^p⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: J Mitchell| T: Suzzanne France| OR: 50| D

11/1

Thirty five runs since last win in 2018. Creditable second of 10 in handicap at this C&D (28/1) 43 days ago, headed final 100 yds but keeping on. Respected with a repeat for all his losing run tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 99-8202

(11)

Country Charm¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 46| D

22/1

One win from 22 Flat runs. 12/1, eighth of 10 in handicap at Ripon (6f, good to firm) 19 days ago, never dangerous. Best efforts have come at 5f though, so this rates more suitable.

Form: 503448

Forecasts

Scale Force (4/1), Munificent (5/1), My Joker (6/1), Dash For It (15/2), Charming Kid (17/2), Duke Of Firenze (9/1), The Tron (10/1), Billy Dylan (11/1), Sir Philip (11/1), Secretfact (14/1), Country Charm (22/1)

A decidedly tricky opener and a chance is taken on MY JOKER. He needs to dispel a lesser effort at Windsor 8 days ago but his previous form reads well in the context of this race and it would come as no surprise to see him bounce back. Veteran Duke of Firenze wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester recently and is also worth a look. Munificent and Billy Dylan complete the shortlist.