17:50 Wolverhampton

Monday 22 January 2018

All16:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:20

Betway Marathon Handicap

Off time: 17:52 | Winning time: 3m 3.93s

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(9)

Argent Knight^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: T J Murphy| T: C N Kellett| OR: 75| C| D

40/1

First start on the Flat since June 2016 but has been seen over hurdles recently. Comes here with plenty to prove, however, and faces a stiff test at the weights.

Form: 121577/

(7)

Lady Makfi¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: S Donohoe| T: J Farrelly| OR: 72| C

8/1

Form has been a mixed bag of late but did run encouragingly here over C&D earlier in the month. Just 1lb higher than for her last win but may still need to drop a few more pounds in the weights before she can be considered truly well handicapped.

Form: 84620-4

(4)

Willyegolassiego²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 70| CD

7/2

Really holding her form well just now and has tasted success under both codes of racing in the seven months. Now on a career highest mark on the Flat but still has to be respected given the manner of her C&D win at Christmas.

Form: 0/12121-

(2)

Sonnetist¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Fran Berry| T: P D Evans| OR: 73

3/1

Won well at Southwell in December before posting a decent effort over 1m4f at Kempton last time out. Runs form the same mark her and holds sound place claims once more if he gets this trip.

Form: 59461-2

(5)

Paddys Runner^p1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: L P Keniry| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 69

4/1

Still a maiden on the Flat but has dropped several hints that his turn might not be too far away. Good effort latest gives him sound claims here and has to be worth a betting check at least.

Form: 5458/2-3

(3)

Hussar Ballad⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 67| CD

10/1

C&D winner in October but did himself few favours in his follow up last time out by running a little too keenly. The return to a longer trip might help but his limitations are there for all to see and he needs to post a career best effort.

Form: 144610-

(6)

Gabrial The Terror^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: S W Kelly| T: P Morris| OR: 61| CD

14/1

Best effort for a while when second here at the start of this month. Claims if able to use that as a platform but his losing sequence has mounted up and is in danger of becoming a habit.

Form: 05375-2

(1)

London Glory^b²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: D Thompson| OR: 59

7/1

Didn't appear to like the surrounding an hurdles debut at Wetherby latest. but does have snippets of form that suggest the gelding can get competitive back on the Float. Support in the betting could be noteworthy.

Form: 012904-

(8)

Handsome Dan¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 56

25/1

Dual purpose performer but is 0-10 in the AW and has been expensive to follow. Place claims at best.

Form: 37808-4

Forecasts

Sonnetist (3/1), Willyegolassiego (7/2), Paddys Runner (4/1), London Glory (7/1), Lady Makfi (8/1), Hussar Ballad (10/1), Gabrial The Terror (14/1), Handsome Dan (25/1), Argent Knight (40/1)

Most of these come with risks attached but WILLYEGOLASSIEGO has a more consistent recent profile than many and just edges the nomination as the one to be on. Lady Makfi posted one of her better efforts last time and can make a good fist of things if she's in the same frame of mind once more, while London Glory has bits of past form that stand up to scrutiny and give him solid claims of at least making the frame.