14:20 Wolverhampton

Friday 18 August 2017

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:00

Birmingham To Doha And Beyond Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 1m 13.77s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(1)

Gold Club^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: S Donohoe| T: Tom Clover| OR: 67| C| D

11/4

Top weight, but drops in grade as handicapper relents following a series of modest efforts in better company last three starts. Has claims though on good second over C&D in April off 8lb higher mark.

Form: 324668

(7)

Indian Affair^b,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: J M Bradley| OR: 63| CD

3/1

Three-time C&D winner went close on soft ground at Bath last time and return to happy hunting ground gives him every chance in an open contest. Top jockey replaces regular apprentice rider.

Form: 634452

(10)

Newstead Abbey^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: M Herrington| OR: 62| CD

9/2

One-time useful handicapper on a four-and-a-half year losing streak despite hurtling down the weights. This is his easiest task yet but jury still out on just how much ability he retains.

Form: 976600

(4)

Endeavour⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 64| D

12/1

Won Leicester seller and Brighton handicap last term for Richard Hannon but hasn't shone in three outings so far for new connections. Hasn't looked an A/W natural in five outings to date and others make rather more appeal.

Form: 611490

(9)

Red Stripes^b⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 61| D

9/2

Four A/W wins to his name but went closing to breaking duck on turf last time at Haydock. Similar effort here would make him a leading player so looks one for the short-list.

Form: 605562

(6)

Fleeting Glimpse¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Edward Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: P R Chamings| OR: 59| D

20/1

Landed Kempton handicap for Andrew Balding earlier in term but blew all chance at start on debut for new connections at Lingfield in June. Feasibly weighted on balance of form but has to do better at the start this time.

Form: 914690

(2)

Noble Act²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 58

50/1

Two wins at the minimum trip last term but has struggled over 7f of late and appears out of form. Off lowest mark yet however so hard to completely dismiss out of hand.

Form: 584900

(3)

Spike^b²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 49

8/1

Won 5f Pontefract maiden for David Barron last term but hasn't shone since joining current yard in April. Has dropped 16lb though, and claimer's further 7lb allowance gives him a chance if able to recover a little of his old dash.

Form: 674749

Non-Runners

(8)

Hipz⁸¹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: I Furtado J: Manuel Fernandes

(5)

Q Cee²⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: E Stanford J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gold Club (11/4), Indian Affair (3/1), Newstead Abbey (9/2), Red Stripes (9/2), Spike (8/1), Hipz (8/1), Endeavour (12/1), Q Cee (12/1), Fleeting Glimpse (20/1), Noble Act (50/1)

RED STRIPES is a tentative choice in a tight-knit affair having gone well last time on turf. A similar performance here might just be good enough. Course specialist Indian Affair has to be respected and ran well at Bath recently, while the first-time blinkers on Q Cee might prompt a better effort. Spike has tumbled down the weights and cannot be ruled out despite some poor runs this term, while top weight Gold Club may appreciate the drop in class and get involved.