20:15 Wolverhampton

Thursday 7 September 2023

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 34 Handicap

Off time: 20:16 | Winning time: 3m 0.02s

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(3)

Achnamara^p⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: P A Kirby| OR: 91| CD

80/1

Fairly useful C&D winner for Charlie and Mark Johnston in 2022. However, proved most disappointing over hurdles/on Flat for Harry Fry and has since joined present yard for £16,000. Return to AW needs to have positive effect with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 00241-0

(6)

Diamond Bay¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: T Ward| OR: 87| C| D

15/2

Course winner. Latest win at York in June. Creditable fourth of 10 in handicap at Sandown (14f, good, 17/2) 18 days ago, forced to switch 1f out and staying on strongly. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 373154

(10)

The Thunderer⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Laura Pearson| T: S C Williams| OR: 86| C

33/1

Course winner. First run since leaving Ollie Sangster when respectable 4¾ lengths fourth of 11 to Alnilam in handicap at Yarmouth (14.1f, good to soft, 10/1) 42 days ago. Revised mark may not beyond him but slow starting means he comes with risks attached.

Form: 781214

(8)

Faylaq¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 86

9/2

Twenty five runs since last win in 2019. Creditable third of 14 in handicap (12/1) at Hamilton (12.1f, good to soft) 13 days ago. However, others make greater appeal for win purposes.

Form: 0-23303

(5)

Alnilam²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: M F Harris| OR: 78| D

16/1

2 wins from 4 runs this year. Latest win at Yarmouth (14f) in July. Ninth of 13 in handicap at Nottingham (16f, good to soft, 11/2) 23 days ago, hanging left 2f out and never involved. No surprise to see a better showing.

Form: 55-6119

(9)

Glenister⁷^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 73

9/2

Typical improver for shrewd yard, making it 4 wins from 5 starts this term at Newcastle (12.5f) 7 days ago, leading last ½f and idling. No surprise to see him out under a penalty and unlikely he's reached his limit yet.

Form: 0-11121

(4)

Percy Jones²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: G M Ryan| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 77| CD

8/1

Placed on 3 of his last 4 starts on turf and ran right up to best when landing 6-runner C&D handicap 3 weeks ago, leading inside final 1f. This rates more demanding up in class from revised mark, though.

Form: 523631

(2)

Dark Island¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Gina Mangan⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 76

7/1

Landed an 11f AW handicap during a mixed 3-y-o campaign but much more consistent this time around, running best race yet tackling this trip for the first time when second at Sandown (14f) 18 days ago. Not out of things on balance.

Form: 05-5322

(11)

Sophosc⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: T E Whelan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73| C

40/1

Course winner who hasn't been operating at his best on the Flat so far this year but did manage to finish an encouraging second having first start over fences at Stratford (19.5f) 46 days ago. Operating from last winning mark back on the level if he can build on that now.

Form: 641-607

(7)

Belgoprince^t¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 67| D

9/4

2 wins from 6 runs this year. Career best when winning 11-runner Amateurs' Derby (12/1) at Epsom (12f, good) 10 days ago, going clear inside final 1f. Rates a big player under a penalty with Billy Loughnane taking off a handy 3 lb.

Form: 008121

(1)

Gozo^p,t1⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Nicola Currie| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 78

22/1

Maiden who made a bright start for new yard stepped up in trip, matching previous best when fifth at Newmarket (10f) in July. First blip of the campaign when sixth of 7 in handicap at Sandown (10f) and he takes another marked step up in trip now.

Form: 43-2356

Forecasts

Belgoprince (9/4), Glenister (9/2), Faylaq (9/2), Dark Island (7/1), Diamond Bay (15/2), Percy Jones (8/1), Alnilam (16/1), Gozo (22/1), The Thunderer (33/1), Sophosc (40/1), Achnamara (80/1)

BELGOPRINCE arrives firmly at the top of his game, posting a career-best display when bagging the Amateurs' Derby at Epsom 10 days ago, and, turned out under a penalty, he could well be up to going in again with Billy Loughnane taking off a very handy 3 lb. Glenister made it 4 wins from his last 5 starts at Newcastle last week and he's a big threat with the prospect of more to come. Dark Island and The Thunderer complete the shortlist.