18:30 Wolverhampton

Friday 5 January 2024

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:31 | Winning time: 3m 3.75s

(1)

Vienna Girl^h⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: K Frost| OR: 54| BF

12/1

3/1, creditable fourth of 8 in handicap at Chelmsford City (16f) 69 days ago. Shouldn't be far away but others make more appeal from a win standpoint all the same. Hood refitted.

Form: 639734-

(9)

Black Smoke^b,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 54

6/1

18/1, creditable 1¾ lengths third of 12 to Footsy in handicap at this course (12.2f) 18 days ago. Live each-way chance if able to back that effort up.

Form: 796653-

(8)

Footsy¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Stephens| OR: 52| C

8/11

5/2, career best when winning 12-runner handicap at this course (12.2f) 18 days ago, well positioned. 2 lb nudge fair enough and another bold show is anticipated.

Form: 385531-

(6)

Looklikewemadeit^h1⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 53

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Last of 11 in handicap at this course (12.2f, 15/2) 52 days ago, hampered. Will need to improve for the fitting of a hood if she's to open her account in this contest.

Form: 0470-

(7)

Gerrots^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Gina Mangan⁽³⁾| T: D Faulkner| OR: 47| C

11/2

Won 9-runner handicap at this course (16.6f, 17/2) 20 days ago, driven out. Definite chance up 2 lb provided this drop back in trip doesn't inconvenience him.

Form: 755281-

(3)

Kitten's Dream^b⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 45| CD

33/1

Unreliable individual. C&D winner. Eighteen runs since last win in 2023. 4/1, eighth of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) 64 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 648658-

(4)

Raffles Rebel^b1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: P A Kirby| OR: 45

50/1

Remains a maiden after 22 Flat runs. 100/1, tenth of 12 in handicap at this course (9.5f) 18 days ago. Hopes pinned on this step up in trip/first-time blinkers sparking improvement.

Form: 220000-

(5)

New York Bay²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 45

11/2

Lightly-raced maiden. Fourth of 10 in handicap at this course (16.6f, 13/2) 20 days ago, slowly away. Needs to raise his game.

Form: 0064-

Non-Runners

(2)

Gentle Fire⁹⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 8

T: H J Evans J: Callum Hutchinson

(10)

Buford¹³⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 6

T: L Williamson J: Alex Jary

Forecasts

Footsy (8/11), New York Bay (11/2), Gerrots (11/2), Black Smoke (6/1), Vienna Girl (12/1), Gentle Fire (16/1), Buford (20/1), Looklikewemadeit (33/1), Kitten's Dream (33/1), Raffles Rebel (50/1)

Last-time-out winners FOOTSY and Gerrots should both be in the thick of things once again. The latter's breakthrough success was gained over 16.6f but he was runner-up over C&D in October and dropping back to this trip shouldn't be an issue. However, marginal preference is for Robert Stephens' charge, who has fewer miles on the clock and the booking of Rossa Ryan adds to his appeal. Black Smoke was a creditable third to the selection here and is third choice ahead of Vienna Girl.