17:40 Wolverhampton

Monday 9 March 2020

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 1m 27.77s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Dragon Sun²⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 76| D

9/4

Holds the most attractive profile in this race. Not been seen since finishing second to the upwardly-mobile Solar Heights at Chelmsford (1m; standard) back in June. Could be well-handicapped as he looked very progressive before season was cut short.

Form: 89/1142-

(2)

Bobby Wheeler^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Amelia Glass⁽⁵⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 75| D

12/1

Drops slightly in class. Unable to progress from encouraging effort over C&D three starts ago. Work to do to reverse form with Nezar on the basis of their recent meeting at Kempton (7f; standard to slow). Market support would be notable however.

Form: 0/00-265

(6)

Woodside Wonder^b⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Sanderson| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 75| D

10/1

Ran better than his finishing position would suggest when only fifth at Lingfield (7f; standard) on first start of this year. Just behind Nezar then, and 10lb better off with that rival this time round. Major player.

Form: 02767-5

(8)

Nezar³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: William Cox| T: D K Ivory| OR: 74| CD

11/1

Has made a solid start to 2020, which includes a C&D win. Almost regained winning thread when a short-head second at Kempton (7f; standard to slow). That form needs serious respect in this lower grade.

Form: 958-142

(5)

Knowing Glance²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S P Davis| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| D

4/1

Bounced back to form in good style last month when breaking his AW duck at the seventh attempt at Lingfield (7f; standard). Up 6lb but he looked value for more than that winning margin would suggest. Can be inconsistent but remains a player.

Form: 1439-81

(3)

Lucky Lodge^v²³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Russell⁽⁵⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 73| CD

8/1

Admirable campaigner who has won over this C&D an impressive five times over the years. Only 2lb above last winning mark, and showed some encouragement when a close-up fourth at Newcastle (6f; standard) last month. Definite place claims.

Form: 512274

(1)

In The Cove^b⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: M Crehan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 71| CD

9/1

C&D winner whose mark is back down to his last winning one after suffering heavy defeats the last twice. Failed to beat a single rival at Chelmsford (1m; standard) in January. Eased in grade now but looks one to oppose for the time being.

Form: 16239-7

(9)

Smokey Lane^v¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 70

28/1

Steps back up to 7f after posting a moderate run at Southwell (6f; standard) when only fourth of six last time. Did go close over 6f at this track prior to that, but while he tends to be consistent he is 0-16 on the AW.

Form: 333624

(4)

Critical Thinking¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Dylan Hogan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 67| CD

8/1

Four-time C&D winner who is vulnerable for win purposes. 5lb above last winning mark, and won off higher marks in the past. However, he has posted quiet efforts in defeat the last twice at Lingfield. Return to this track is a positive though.

Form: 621355

Forecasts

Dragon Sun (9/4), Knowing Glance (4/1), Lucky Lodge (8/1), Critical Thinking (8/1), In The Cove (9/1), Woodside Wonder (10/1), Nezar (11/1), Bobby Wheeler (12/1), Smokey Lane (28/1)

The trio of Critical Thinking, Nezar and Lucky Lodge are respected, but are in against less exposed rivals. Woodside Wonder finished narrowly behind Nezar recently when giving that rival almost a stone. He is considerably better off at the weights so should reverse the form and run a big race. In a race full of known quantities though, ready preference is for DRAGON SUN who does need to prove his wellbeing after a long absence but could still be a fair way ahead of this mark. The form of his second when last seen has since been well advertised by the winner, and this progressive colt can make a winning reappearance.