14:20 Wolverhampton

Saturday 1 September 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1017:40

Sun Racing Music Live Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 1m 50.53s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

King Oswald^p,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: A Fresu| T: J W Unett| OR: 62| BF| CD

5/1

C&D winner from a 4lb lower mark two years ago and has been running well enough on turf to suggest he still has the ability to exploit his current handy mark on turf. His AW rating leaves him vulnerable from topweight though.

Form: 048224

(7)

The Third Man^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: S W Kelly| T: H Spiller| OR: 60| CD

11/1

Previous C&D winner but has been floundering on turf of late and arrives here needing a confidence booster to stop the rot. Very well handicapped if the return to this surface rekindles his interest but a lot needs to be taken on trust.

Form: 494845

(5)

Rakematiz²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: B R Johnson| OR: 60| D

9/1

Has won on the AW at Lingfield but was below par on return from an absence when finishing down the field in a handicap at the same track earlier this month. Plenty to prove on his Tapeta debut and others look to hold more convincing claims.

Form: 052-259

(11)

Champagne Rules¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Liam Jones| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 59

22/1

2-8 on the AW but finished last on his only previous try at Wolverhampton and has to be disconcerting that he put in a low-key effort his seasonal debut (finished 11th) at Thirsk eleven days ago. Looks a risky option just now.

Form: 411-420

(1)

Island Flame^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R Winston| T: J Butler| OR: 59| CD

7/2

Running on empty when winning over C&D last time but that was her first start since June and it's very likely the run will have topped up her fitness. Partly responsible for her yard's positive statistics and very feasible she can go close again.

Form: 568-301

(6)

Caribbean Spring⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 55| CD

4/1

Three-time C&D winner that is still on a reasonable looking mark and, given he bounced back from a poor run on turf to go close here when last seen out and has an affinity with Jane Elliot, the gelding would be dangerous to underestimate.

Form: 211374

(2)

Dukes Meadow³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 46

20/1

Has placed over C&D but has a poor wins to runs ratio (just 2-46) and often gets overhauled in a finish. Notable that he needed plenty of encouraging last time and even the fact he gets on well with his 5lb claimer isn't enough to stop the doubts.

Form: 577005

(8)

Thecornishbarron⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Izzy Clifton⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 45| D

9/2

Claimed for £6,500 after finishing third of four in a decent little claimer, so has obviously captured the imagination of his canny new trainer. One to keep close tabs on in the betting despite him holding a poor record at this particular course.

Form: 389843

(10)

Favorite Story²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S Hitchcott| T: D K Ivory| OR: 45

10/1

Gelded last March but not really had much joy in any of his six starts since. Still retains ability but difficult to assess his best style of running and he may struggle to get as involved as he likes from his wide draw.

Form: 804455

(9)

Alligator⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Ryan Tate| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45

50/1

Never landed a blow when down the field behind Island Flame last time and, given that was his second modest effort since his return from a 131-day absence, he looks one to be wary of at the present moment. (Still a maiden - 0-16 up to now.)

Form: 04-9408

(4)

Elusive Show¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 45

40/1

Not much to enthuse about from three starts in novice company and one outing in a handicap so far. Others hold much stronger credentials and the gelding looks set to play a bit part even in this low-grade company.

Form: 9970

Forecasts

Island Flame (7/2), Caribbean Spring (4/1), Thecornishbarron (9/2), King Oswald (5/1), Rakematiz (9/1), Favorite Story (10/1), The Third Man (11/1), Dukes Meadow (20/1), Champagne Rules (22/1), Elusive Show (40/1), Alligator (50/1)

The weaker of the two divisions can go to ISLAND FLAME, who did well to hold on for victory last time and will again be hard to beat if showing the same battling qualities. Caribbean Spring is on a fair mark and, given that he goes well on the surface at Dunstall Park, he edges preference as the best alternative. The Third Man wouldn't have much to find to live up to his name, while topweight tempers the confidence behind a win-only punt on King Oswald despite him being 4lb below his last winning mark at this course.