14:15 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 13 December 2017

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:5016:2516:5517:25

Betway Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 1m 15.72s

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Selected odds by:

(10)

Dodgy Bob^v¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 64| D

11/1

Struggled since landing a turf double in August/September and his AW form overall (0 from 7) isn't quite as good as his form on turf.

Form: 211068

(4)

French^p³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 60| D

5/1

Won off a higher mark than this on turf although her recent AW form raises a few question marks. Her second here back in June would put her firmly in the mix but below that level since.

Form: 225077

(3)

Zenovia^p,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: A Watson| OR: 60| CD

7/4

Course and distance winner back in October but not built on that since off her present 5lb higher mark. Have been excuses however so could be more to come still.

Form: 581457

(6)

Jack Blane^p¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 55| C

9/4

Unsuccessful for this yard so far but he has put in several good efforts over 7f. Switch to 6f today is an unknown but he is on a workable mark so capable if he can stay handy enough early on.

Form: 094925

(7)

Snow Excuse^t⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S A Gray| T: B Smart| OR: 48

14/1

2½L fourth at Chelmsford two starts back in his first handicap was an encouraging effort. Pulled up next time out when encountering soft for the first time at Catterick. Bounce back possible for most topical tip.

Form: 8964P

(8)

Sir Harry Collins^v⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 46

10/1

Maiden of 11 races but he ran his best race since switch to this yard last time out when fourth at Newcastle. 2lb lower today but that how much he is out of the handicap. Could make a bold bid from the front.

Form: 079854

(2)

Dalness Express^t1³¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 45

150/1

Unsuccessful in seven starts to date, last five over 7f or 1m. Drop to 6f might actually suit but he is 3lb out of the handicap and barring first-time tongue-tie making a difference will struggle.

Form: 4880-70

(5)

Blistering Dancer^b⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: F Norton| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45| D

25/1

Unsuccessful in 16 previous attempts on AW and given that his recent form on turf has been poor that looks unlikely to change today, especially with him 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 070690

Non-Runners

(1)

Control Centre²³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: Mrs Marjorie Fife J: Harrison Shaw

(9)

Bobby Vee¹⁶⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: D K Ivory J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Zenovia (7/4), Jack Blane (9/4), French (5/1), Sir Harry Collins (10/1), Control Centre (10/1), Dodgy Bob (11/1), Snow Excuse (14/1), Blistering Dancer (25/1), Dalness Express (150/1)

In a very tricky contest indeed the vote goes to ZENOVIA who looked like one to stay on the right side of when winning in October. Things haven't gone to plan since but there is no obvious reason she won't go close here. Sir Harry Collins looks like he is building towards something since switching to the Mick Appleby team and he could go close despite being 2lb out of the handicap. Jack Blane could prove competitive if as effective over 6f.