19:00 Wolverhampton

Saturday 18 March 2023

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

Top Odds Every Day With BetUK Handicap (Rider Restricted Race)

Off time: 19:02 | Winning time: 2m 40.59s

(7)

Nolton Cross¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: H Palmer| OR: 88| CD

10/3

C&D winner in February. 5/2, creditable second of 6 in handicap at this C&D 12 days ago, having run of race. Solid each-way player.

Form: 824-112

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(2)

Protected Guest¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 87| D

7/1

Unreliable individual. Three wins from 15 runs last year. Confirmed return to form when third of 6 in handicap at this C&D (18/1) 12 days ago, missing break.

Form: 73-8923

(8)

Buxted Too¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| D

15/2

Seven wins from 27 Flat runs. 6/4, career best when cosily winning 5-runner handicap at Lingfield (12f, AW) 2 weeks ago, produced to lead final 100 yds. This is tougher but he's clearly thriving.

Form: 111131

(3)

Obsidian Knight¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Levi Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: T Kent| OR: 79| D

11/8

Latest win at Lingfield in January. 7/4, good 1½ lengths second of 6 to Zealot in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 16 days ago, conceding first run and pulling clear of rest. Back up in trip and could well regain the winning thread.

Form: 142-212

(4)

In The Breeze¹⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Theodore Ladd| T: M Appleby| OR: 78| D

14/1

Seventh of 9 in handicap at Nottingham (10.2f, soft, 20/1) when last seen 5 months ago. Others look stronger.

Form: 4U5257-

(1)

Whimsy¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox| T: A M Balding| OR: 77| D

17/2

Won twice at Salisbury last summer. 11/2, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Newmarket (12f, good). Off over 5 months and will need to hit the ground running.

Form: 411223-

(6)

Myboymax⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 75| C| D

20/1

Course winner. Three wins from 12 runs last year. Latest win here in December. 25/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at Southwell (12.1f) 44 days ago. Likely to come up short in this.

Form: 14461-7

Non-Runners

(5)

Zealot²

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: M Appleby J: Billy Loughnane

Forecasts

Obsidian Knight (11/8), Zealot (9/4), Nolton Cross (10/3), Protected Guest (7/1), Buxted Too (15/2), Whimsy (17/2), In The Breeze (14/1), Myboymax (20/1)

OBSIDIAN KNIGHT proved his new mark was clearly still handy enough when finding only the progressive Zealot too strong at Newcastle earlier this month. With a talented 7 lb claimer booked, he's fancied to turn the tables with that rival and notch career success number 4. Zealot would hold major claims if lining up (made it 7 wins from last 8 starts at Chelmsford on Thursday), while Buxted Too and Nolton Cross should also be in the mix.