20:45 Wolverhampton

Friday 12 October 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:4521:15

Grand Theatre Wolverhampton Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 20:48 | Winning time: 1m 50.46s

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Selected odds by:

(11)

Tukhoom⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Winston| T: M Herrington| OR: 70

4/1

No win since his Goodwood maiden success (1m) for Marcus Tregoning in June 2016, but back to form with placed efforts on two of last three starts, staying on well when third at Newcastle last time. Every chance from same mark here.

Form: 750-203

(2)

Sooqaan³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 68| CD

33/1

Much better on AW than on turf, so might have been expected to fare better at Newcastle last time, but finished well beaten, and he has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 790580

(3)

Prancing Oscar^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 67| CD

12/1

Now 1lb lower than when third in a C&D handicap in the spring, and won at Hamilton in May. Not at best in two starts since a break, but may be working his way back to full fitness, and not ignored.

Form: 638146

(9)

Mirbat¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: C Hills| OR: 70

4/1

No better than mid-field in qualifying runs, but much improved when winning 7f handicap at Chelmsford last time despite hanging badly under pressure. Should progress a fair bit further if ironing out those quirks (can also start slowly).

Form: 0781

(13)

Diamond Set²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Jones| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 70

33/1

Showed some promise in three starts in novice company, and lost all chance on handicap debut at Haydock when rearing as the stalls opened. No excuses for poor effort here last time, though, and questions to answer now.

Form: 25-300

(1)

Forbidden Planet¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 68

12/1

Matched debut form when when fifth of 9 to Alfarqad in 1m novice event at Kempton last time, and may do better now handicapping, but opening mark is stiff on balance, and significant improvement required.

Form: 785

(5)

Aljunood^h³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Aspell| T: J R Norton| OR: 62

25/1

Made all to land his maiden at Killarney last year for Dermot Weld, and glimmers of light for current yard, but he's not reliable, and ran a stinker at Carlisle last time.

Form: 0-79630

(10)

Decoration Of War²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: A Fresu| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 65| BF| CD

5/4

Four runs for Ed Dunlop this term without showing much, but turned over new leaf for new connections when winning over C&D last month. Better form when second of 12 to Livvys Dream in handicap at Kempton last time, and should improve again.

Form: 080812

(8)

Ensign Ewart¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M D I Usher| OR: 62

16/1

Best effort to date when seventh of 10 to Autumn War in maiden at Nottingham in August, but harshly treated on that evidence, and soundly beaten on handicap bow at Kempton last month.

Form: 0760

(6)

Kirbec^v²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 61

20/1

Still a maiden and been tried in a variety of headgear this year without positive results. Visor back on here, but she has plenty to prove on balance.

Form: 7-47578

(7)

Rockesbury^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 60

25/1

Looking exposed until breaking his duck at umpteenth attempt at Chester last time, holding on gamely after making all. Suspicion he was seen to maximum effect there, and more required to repeat the feat.

Form: 650661

Non-Runners

(12)

Imminent Approach¹³

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: J Tate J: L Morris

(4)

Lucky's Dream⁵⁶

Weight: 8-6| Age: 3

T: Ian Williams J: M Dwyer

Forecasts

Decoration Of War (5/4), Tukhoom (4/1), Mirbat (4/1), Forbidden Planet (12/1), Prancing Oscar (12/1), Imminent Approach (12/1), Ensign Ewart (16/1), Kirbec (20/1), Lucky's Dream (20/1), Rockesbury (25/1), Aljunood (25/1), Diamond Set (33/1), Sooqaan (33/1)

DECORATION OF WAR has picked up the progressive thread for his new yard, and was better than ever when second at Kempton last time. He is narrowly preferred to recent Chelmsford winner Mirbat, who remains with potential despite some quirks, with Prancing Oscar one to note in the market after a couple of pipe-openers to set him straight.