19:50 Wolverhampton

Saturday 11 November 2017

All16:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 19:52 | Winning time: 1m 47.97s

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(9)

Energia Flavio⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: P Morris| OR: 75

16/1

Just 2-34 but this strong traveller has appeared on a good mark around here lately but, as is so often the case, the gaps have not opened for him. Feared under this rider.

Form: 833-022

(3)

Chosen Character^t,v⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 75

50/1

Haydock specialist has dropped below his last winning mark following two poor efforts on heavy ground. Had previously gone close under this rider at Brighton, but hard to know what to expect on belated second AW start.

Form: 426288

(6)

Rock Warbler^h,t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 75| BF

10/1

Tapeta specialist who has landed four races at Newcastle. Has put up two good runs since off higher marks, but appears better suited to a stronger gallop than is promised here.

Form: 675166

(12)

Acrux^h⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73| CD

7/2

Closely matched with Rock Warbler on latest running but he has been outbattled in the closing stages. Should be thereabouts but others look more likely winners.

Form: 296433

(10)

Spiritual Star⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: L Carter| OR: 72| CD

20/1

Most recent success came in March off a mark of 67 over C&D. Rarely run a bad race on AW this year and not out of things on current mark. Latest run was subject of a stewards enquiry. Jockey booking looks interesting.

Form: 222P03

(5)

Luang Prabang¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle⁽³⁾| T: C F Wall| OR: 71| CD

5/2

Appreciated a strong pace when stepped up to this trip here last time. Up 4lb and no obvious pacemaker in the lineup.

Form: 044931

(13)

Rock N Rolla^v¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: A Mullen| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 74

12/1

Looked better in a visor last time over 7f here. Met trouble in running after a slow start there and can ill afford to miss the break from this draw.

Form: 629965

(4)

Dana's Present¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 68| CD

66/1

Soon in trouble on stable debut last time and currently looks a shadow of the horse that landed ten races in his prime.

Form: 555330

(1)

Black Dave¹⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Matt Cosham⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 67| CD

25/1

Has been kept busy, as usual, this year and made it 10 career wins when successful in a claimer at Lingfield in May. Fully exposed, however, and others make more appeal.

Form: 415625

(7)

Epitaph^v1¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 69

15/2

Still a maiden but promised to end the drought with two good runs over the past month. Drop in trip and fitting of a visor may mean he reverts to front-running tactics. That would set this up for his many rivals who are hoping for a decent gallop.

Form: 326723

(2)

Fire Diamond^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 66| C

6/1

Took advantage of a good draw and lenient mark to score over 7f here two weeks ago. All five of his wins have come over 7f and a 6lb higher mark makes this even tougher.

Form: 700081

(11)

Bell Heather⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: P Morris| OR: 66| CD

18/1

Winner of two races here this year under this rider. Took advantage of a labouring leader to pick up the latest of these.' A 5lb higher mark in a stronger race asks for a lot more.

Form: 316318

(8)

Doria Road²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 65

20/1

Opened her account last time in this grade at Newcastle. A 3lb rise seems more than fair given she ought to have gone up for an improved show at Kempton. Looks a less complicated ride than many of these.

Form: 363031

Forecasts

Luang Prabang (5/2), Acrux (7/2), Fire Diamond (6/1), Epitaph (15/2), Rock Warbler (10/1), Rock N Rolla (12/1), Energia Flavio (16/1), Bell Heather (18/1), Doria Road (20/1), Spiritual Star (20/1), Black Dave (25/1), Chosen Character (50/1), Dana's Present (66/1)

Many of these need to be ridden with the hope of luck in running. Energia Flavio, Spiritual Star and Rock Warbler are three of the leading contenders who will be hoping for a decent gallop. There is no obvious pacemaker although Epitaph, now wearing headgear and dropping in trip, may seek to do just that. Acrux has not convinced with his finishing effort lately, whilst Fire Diamond and Luang Prabang look vulnerable under their new marks. In contrast the handicapper has not been particularly harsh on DORIA ROAD who beat a good field at Newcastle last time when ridden prominently. This looks a race where it may pay to lie close to the pace she is taken to follow up.