15:40 Wolverhampton

Saturday 30 December 2023

All15:4016:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM 'Hands And Heels' Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 1m 53.85s

(4)

Graffiti⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Mr Oliver Timms⁽⁵⁾| T: G Brown| OR: 67| CD

9/2

Two wins from 4 runs this year. Career best when winning 9-runner handicap at this course (9.5f, 11/2) 43 days ago, soon clear. Up 6 lb but rider's claim helps in that regard and he's a key player.

Form: 43-2131

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(8)

Ellexis²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: Courtney Thomas⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 67

15/2

16/1, sixth of 9 in handicap at this course (9.5f) 26 days ago and likely to find a few too good once more.

Form: 092746

(2)

Verona Star^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Doughty⁽⁸⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 65

13/2

40/1, first run since leaving Archie Watson when seventh of 11 in handicap at this course (9.5f) 11 days ago, merely passing beaten rivals. Others preferred.

Form: 993907

(7)

Finn Russell²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Matteo Pinna⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 66| CD

5/4

C&D winner. Latest win at Lingfield in December. Creditable fifth of 9 in handicap (9/2) at Newcastle (8f) 2 days ago. Place possibilities.

Form: 701155

(9)

Give A Little Back^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁸⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 62| CD

10/1

Course winner. One win from 22 Flat runs. 11/1, ninth of 14 in handicap at Chelmsford City (10f) 23 days ago. Others make more appeal from a win perspective.

Form: 972879

(1)

Harbour Vision^t,v¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Pinna⁽¹⁰⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 60| CD

12/1

Three-time C&D winner, the latest in October. 14/1, eighth of 10 in handicap at this C&D 14 days ago, left poorly placed. Best to overlook that run and he's not discounted.

Form: 014558

(6)

High Court Judge²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tommie Jakes| T: H Spiller| OR: 59

12/1

7/1, seventh of 11 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7f) 23 days ago. Back up in trip for this tapeta debut and probably worth taking on.

Form: 0P7037

(5)

Awesome Spirit^p1,h1,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Archie Young| T: M Appleby| OR: 57

22/1

7/1 and visored for 1st time, below form fifth of 12 in maiden at Southwell (5f) 15 days ago. Significantly up in trip and cheekpieces/hood on for the first time. Not without each-way hope.

Form: 507675

Non-Runners

(3)

Prince Ali²⁰

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: D Faulkner J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Finn Russell (5/4), Graffiti (9/2), Prince Ali (6/1), Verona Star (13/2), Ellexis (15/2), Give A Little Back (10/1), High Court Judge (12/1), Harbour Vision (12/1), Awesome Spirit (22/1)

The vote goes to GRAFFITI, who did the job well over 9.5f here last time and neither this drop back in trip nor the 6 lb rise are likely to overly inconvenience him. Prince Ali was below par last time but he's otherwise been in good form in recent months and looks the main danger ahead of Harbour Vision and Finn Russell.