16:05 Wolverhampton

Thursday 4 January 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Betway Sprint Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 1m 14.55s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Billyoakes^p⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Wallis| OR: 61| C| D

4/1

In good form recently (ran better than the form figure suggests last time out), and beat Strictly Carter at Lingfield two starts ago (slightly worse off at the weights now). Can't be dismissed lightly.

Form: 365315

(1)

French^b1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 60| D

11/1

0/6 on the AW but only narrowly behind Jack Blane here last time and clearly handles the Tapeta. Blinkers applied now and holds claims off the same mark.

Form: 250773-

(4)

Spin Top^v³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: W R Muir| OR: 60

7/1

Arguably not as good on the Tapeta compared to the Polytrack and only win came over 5f. Has gone well in similar races in the past but will probably find winning this a big ask.

Form: 540327-

(7)

Strictly Carter^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 58| CD

16/1

C&D winner last year off 3lb lower than this. Has also gone close the last twice, including when only narrowly behind Billyoakes on the AW at Lingfield last time out; not ruled out.

Form: 907032-

(9)

Jack Blane^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 57| CD

7/1

C&D winner last time out who has gone up just 2lb for that victory. Has a good record on the AW in general and could well have more to offer over this trip having done much of his racing over 7f.

Form: 949251-

(8)

Charlie's Dreamer¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 57

20/1

Nine-race maiden who has been seen to best effect over this trip in the past, but hasn't particularly impressed on the AW (Fibresand) in her last few starts.

Form: 335256-

(6)

Pulsating^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 56| BF| CD

2/1

All three wins have come over this C&D, having attempted it six times in total in her career. This is clearly the ideal test for her, then, having made a promising start for this yard so far. Also engaged Friday 6:45 Kempton.

Form: 007214-

(2)

The Hooded Claw^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: P Morris| OR: 54| D

8/1

Hasn't won since May 2014 (since when has changed trainers three times), slipping down the handicap but doesn't seem all that much closer to winning a race.

Form: 758585-

(3)

Stopdworldnletmeof¹³³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D Flood| OR: 45

22/1

Eight race maiden who is yet to show real potential and races from 4lb out of the handicap here. Others make far more appeal.

Form: 663649-

Non-Runners

(10)

Herm³³

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: P D Evans J: Fran Berry

Forecasts

Pulsating (2/1), Billyoakes (4/1), Jack Blane (7/1), Spin Top (7/1), The Hooded Claw (8/1), Herm (8/1), French (11/1), Strictly Carter (16/1), Charlie's Dreamer (20/1), Stopdworldnletmeof (22/1)

Having had all three of her career victories over this C&D (out of six attempts) PULSATING makes most appeal here. Archie Watson's filly should be on a workable handicap mark and has been running plenty well enough recently both here and at Chelmsford. Despite being a fairly short price last time she held excuses and put in a good performance in the circumstances, so is taken to see off the consistent Billyoakes and Jack Blane, who could improve further over this trip.