17:00 Wolverhampton

Sunday 7 January 2024

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

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Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 2m 1.21s

(9)

Shaheen Saqaar⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 66| CD

11/4

Showed improved form when getting off the mark in 10-runner handicap at this C&D (5/2) 8 days ago, scoring in good style. May do better still so he's not taken lightly.

Form: 967361-

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(12)

Masqool¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁷⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 65| CD

13/2

Course winner. Not seen to best effect when seventh of 12 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f, 6/1) 16 days ago, keeping on when short of room final 1f. Capable of getting involved as he drops back down in grade.

Form: 355647-

(10)

Russian Virtue^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Menzies| OR: 65

9/1

Successful at Newcastle on last Flat run in March 2023. Has been in good form over hurdles, making it 3 wins from his last 4 starts when beating sole rival in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (17f, heavy, 2/5) 35 days ago. Major player.

Form: 374/141-

(4)

Rise Hall^v⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Russell| T: G R Oldroyd| OR: 64| BF

14/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2019. Run best excused when tenth of 11 in handicap (7/2) at Newcastle (8f) 54 days ago, no room around 2f out and shuffled back. Lurks on a dangerous mark with visor reapplied.

Form: P90750-

(1)

Prince Ali^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: D Faulkner| OR: 64| CD

12/1

Course winner. Drawn widest when sixth of 11 in handicap (10/1) at this course (8.6f) 28 days ago. Had been in good heart previously, so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 424226-

(3)

Franco Grasso^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 64

50/1

Stepped up on recent outing when fifth of 12 in handicap (50/1) at Southwell (11.1f) 17 days ago. Needs to build on his latest run with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 710605-

(5)

Verona Star^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A W Carroll| OR: 64

13/2

Did well under the circumstances when second of 8 in handicap (13/2) at this course (8.6f) 8 days ago, coming from further back than ideal. Remains early days with current yard, so he merits consideration back up in trip.

Form: 939072-

(8)

Further Measure^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 63| C

9/1

Course winner. Fared no better than on stable debut when ninth of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (8f, AW, 18/1) 33 days ago. Return to this longer trip should suit, but others still more persuasive at present.

Form: 337809-

(2)

Charlie's Choice¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 63

3/1

After 12 weeks off, still green when fourth of 11 in handicap (7/2) at this C&D 11 days ago, left poorly placed. Could still have more to offer.

Form: 355354-

(6)

Still Standing¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Finley Marsh| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 62

100/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2021. After a couple of below-par efforts over hurdles, ran poorly back on the Flat when ninth of 11 in handicap (125/1) at this C&D 11 days ago. Best watched.

Form: 653769-

(7)

Hotspur Harry⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Dylan Hogan| T: R Eddery| OR: 62

22/1

Fifteen runs since last win in 2022. Again below form when twelfth of 13 in handicap at Chelmsford City (10f, 22/1) 87 days ago, very slowly away.

Form: 946500-

Non-Runners

(11)

Tio Mio³⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: A French J: Gina Mangan

Forecasts

Shaheen Saqaar (11/4), Charlie's Choice (3/1), Masqool (13/2), Verona Star (13/2), Tio Mio (7/1), Further Measure (9/1), Russian Virtue (9/1), Prince Ali (12/1), Rise Hall (14/1), Hotspur Harry (22/1), Franco Grasso (50/1), Still Standing (100/1)

RUSSIAN VIRTUE has proved better than ever over hurdles of late, battling well when making it 3 wins from his last 4 starts at Carlisle in December, and he can score again from a workable mark back on the level. The main danger could be Shaheen Saqaar, who opened his account in good style at this C&D last time, with Verona Star another to note.