20:40 Wolverhampton

Saturday 23 September 2017

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Hobgoblin Handicap

Off time: 20:41 | Winning time: 2m 43.22s

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Selected odds by:

(12)

Almutamarred^p1⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: T J Murphy| T: J W Unett| OR: 65| D

20/1

In no great form at present, although effort over this trip at Catterick wasn't a bad one, but it must be said that was a slowly run event and he went off a 50/1 chance. Bit to prove at present and others preferred.

Form: 199-838

(10)

Innish Man⁶⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S J Drowne| T: J Mackie| OR: 65| CD

17/2

Some while since he was last seen (January 2016) but has form on the surface and is a C&D winner. On the same mark as that win here and handicapper has given him a chance if fit. Yard going well and not ruled out.

Form: 37614/2-

(9)

Hayward Field²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Natalie Hambling⁽⁷⁾| T: N Wilson| OR: 65| D

17/2

Sprang an 80/1 surprise when winning at Thirsk in July and only 2lb higher here, but subsequent efforts make that look like a bit of a fluke and unless switch to Tapeta turns around his form, others look to have better claims.

Form: 3-66176

(1)

Hussar Ballad¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: William Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 65| CD

3/1

Came right back to form when winning over C&D last time out, coming wide in the straight and powering right away for an easy win. 5lb rise for that looks very fair, but rarely puts two good efforts together. Chances if he can.

Form: 330401

(11)

Captain Swift^p¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: J Mackie| OR: 64| C| D

9/1

Was running with great consistency when last seen but that was back in the spring but given he's no great record fresh, and trip looking on the short side, others preferred today.

Form: 61-2343

(8)

The Way You Dance^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: R Winston| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 63| C

7/2

Twice a winner here in the past but both wins over a shorter trip than today's. Worth another try at it after a staying-on effort over slightly shorter at Goodwood last time but yard look to have gone off the boil a little. Others preferred.

Form: 12/19-83

(7)

Gold Merlion¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 63

12/1

Like so many from the yard, seems a bit all-or-nothing and since a couple of good efforts in the summer (including a win in a seller) has gone right off the boil. No surprise if she bounced back but on balance, others preferred.

Form: 912978

(2)

Singular Quest⁴⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 59

10/1

Not seen out for over a year but first run for a yard that can ready them first time up (2-18 past 12 months) and of interest on that alone. Maiden after 15 starts but has form at the track and any market move needs heeding.

Form: 533674-

(5)

Mr Frankie³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: L P Keniry| T: J L Spearing| OR: 59| C

20/1

Winner here last year but that was over shorter and form at this trip is pretty uninspiring, to say the least. Gave up pretty quickly at Chepstow last time and can only be watched after that effort.

Form: 61-0427

(6)

Life Of Luxury¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: William Carson| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 58

25/1

In good form here in the summer but that was over trips shorter than today and he turned in a dreadful effort over C&D when last seen. Can't be entertained after that and others make far more appeal.

Form: 452350

(3)

Frozon^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 57| BF| CD

10/1

C&D winner here two starts ago but that was in a moderate race, and he couldn't follow it up when made favourite here last time out. Infrequent winner and needs to bounce back now, so others preferred.

Form: 8-55210

Non-Runners

(4)

Simply Clever¹⁵⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: D H Brown J: Aaron Jones

Forecasts

Hussar Ballad (3/1), The Way You Dance (7/2), Hayward Field (17/2), Innish Man (17/2), Captain Swift (9/1), Frozon (10/1), Singular Quest (10/1), Gold Merlion (12/1), Simply Clever (16/1), Mr Frankie (20/1), Almutamarred (20/1), Life Of Luxury (25/1)

If Hussar Ballad could be trusted to put it all in again, he'd look the natural selection here but he'd never followed up a win with another, and that's a concern. Singular Quest needs a look in the market as support would make him interesting, but a chance is taken on INNISH MAN being fit enough to do himself justice after his layoff as the handicapper has given him a chance if he is.