19:25 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 7 February 2018

All16:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:25

sunbets.co.uk Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 19:27 | Winning time: 1m 52.1s

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(12)

Satchville Flyer¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: P D Evans| OR: 55

10/1

Simply doesn't win enough to be confident about his chances of winning, but tends to run his race over this C&D and went close off a 2lb lower mark here in December. May have to settle for the places again, but has chances.

Form: 24325-2

(10)

John Caesar^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 55| CD

16/1

Just the three wins in 41 starts but did hit a purple patch in the autumn of last year, and still on a fair mark despite those wins. Will strip fitter for a recent run after a break and as a C&D winner, has to be given some respect.

Form: 11537-8

(2)

Critical Thinking^t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: D Loughnane| OR: 54| BF

13/8

Just the one win in 19 starts but looks on the countdown to a second one if recent evidence is anything to go by. Beaten a neck here last time after looking all over the winner at the furlong pole, so drop back in trip may help. Obvious chance.

Form: 47963-2

(3)

American Patrol^p1³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 54| C

7/4

Has been out of form for a while but showed some signs that all wasn't lost at Kempton last time, staying on late into midfield. Last win came here, and is now back on a winning mark, so with good jockey booked, a better effort wouldn't surprise.

Form: 17000-7

(5)

Joyful Dream²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: J Butler| OR: 51

16/1

Recent form suggests he's going nowhere that fast, and the handicapper has been pretty slow in releasing his grip. Others come into this with far more pressing claims and she's hard to fancy.

Form: 58537-0

(1)

Blackthorn Stick²⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: B Forsey| OR: 51| C

66/1

Have to go back to 2016 to find the last time he got his head in front, and best form has come at 7f. Couple that with the absence he has to overcome tonight and it's not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 455776-

(7)

Ravenhoe⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 51| CD

9/2

Back to form when springing an 18/1 surprise over a furlong further here last week, but was allowed a very easy lead in front and he was able to set his own fractions. More to do here and won't get it as easy this time.

Form: 0756-91

(4)

Bassino^t1²³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Ryan Powell| T: J Bennett| OR: 47

33/1

Form has got progressively worse over the past year and he simply looks out of love with the game at present. Tongue tie given a try tonight and he's well enough handicapped should it work, but too risky to be put up as a solid selection.

Form: 670090-

(11)

Pipers Piping²⁸⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 8-12| J: K T O'Neill| T: Miss M E Rowland| OR: 46| CD

80/1

Pops up now and then but predicting when is a guessing game in itself. Conditions here fine and although he's not been seen since May, he has won fresh in the past. On winning mark and despite claims not being obvious, the shock can't be ruled out.

Form: 403759-

(13)

Spirit Of Gondree^v¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: J M Bradley| OR: 45| CD

66/1

Been around the block a few times and has won over C&D in the past, but very poor overall strike rate and recent form has taken a turn for the worse. Hard to fancy.

Form: 8677-66

(8)

Rock Of Monaco¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 45| C

50/1

One win in 13 starts but on the plus side, that did come here. Has been absent since August though, so likely to need this, and overall record suggests there are more likely winners anyway.

Form: 079609-

Non-Runners

(9)

Royal Hall²²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: S W Kelly

(6)

Lesanti⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: E De Giles J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Critical Thinking (13/8), American Patrol (7/4), Ravenhoe (9/2), Satchville Flyer (10/1), Royal Hall (14/1), Joyful Dream (16/1), John Caesar (16/1), Lesanti (16/1), Bassino (33/1), Rock Of Monaco (50/1), Spirit Of Gondree (66/1), Blackthorn Stick (66/1), Pipers Piping (80/1)

A moderate contest that looks even more muddied by the fact that there may not be a lot of pace on. That gives Ravenhoe a chance to repeat the tactics that saw him win here last time out, but he's no certainty to do so. A chance is taken on AMERICAN PATROL, who gets first time cheekpieces and the booking of Adam Kirby catches the eye. Back at a track he's won at before, he can score. Lesanti is one that we may not have seen the best of yet, and could do better here. Critical Thinking makes the most appeal of those at the top of the handicap.