5.15pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 16/12/2016

A field of 11 classy handicappers go to post for the 4th race on Wolverhmapton’s card, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Dougan has to be respected on the back of a good win at Dundalk in November and is a C&D winner but preference is for GENTLEMEN. He is a risky proposition as he can throw it all away at the start but at his best he’s a classy sort and a former C&D winner, with his latest 3rd at Kempton a step in the right direction. Josephine Gordon gets the ride which is an obvious plus so has to be considered today.

1 DOUGAN – Has a very good C&D record and ran a career best when winning at Dundalk latest in a competitive handicap (6f, Std). He is a former C&D winner here and he should run very well for David Evans whose yard is in good form, so has to be considered a main threat.

2 ANGELIC LORD – Very useful sort at his best but has been very poor in a pair of listed events the last twice over 6 and 7 furlongs in February and March. Will need to bounce back which is no easy feat as he has been off for 279 days but has to be given a market check for support on his reappearance.

3 SUZI’S CONNOISSEUR – Seems to be on a fair mark at present but hasn’t been at his best the last few times on the turf and this may well be too sharp a test on All Weather debut, so probably best watched today.

4 RELATED – Went off far too hard at Kempton latest when finishing a poor 7th of 12 but had good form prior to that when placing at the same venue in September (6f, Std to Slw). If settling better he can bounce back today and has solid each way claims.

5 GENTLEMEN – Can be a risky proposition as he has blown it a few times at the start but he is very useful at his best and was a good 3rd at Kempton latest over 6f. Still quite lightly raced for his age and has the assistance of the Champion Apprentice Josie Gordon today which is a huge plus.

6 KASBAH – Had been going through a rough patch but latest 3rd at Lingfield on stable debut for Amanda Perrett was a step in the right direction, finishing very well (5f, Std). Returning to 6f is a plus and with the yard going so well at present he definitely needs considering.

7 UPAVON – Posted a career best latest when a good 2nd here over C&D, just a neck away from taking victory. Tends to dwell in the stalls which is a concern but off 8st 12lb he has each way claims.

8 ZAC BROWN – Made all over C&D back in March off 3lb higher but hasn’t been anywhere near as good since, struggling to beat a rival on many occasions. Has an outside draw which makes things difficult today and probably best left alone.

9 DISTANT PAST – Very inconsistent this year but has posted some good efforts, including his latest when just being denied at Newcastle last month (6f, Std). If in the same mood again he would have claims but its hard to trust he will be, as he only beat one rival in the two races beforehand.

10 BALLESTEROS – Wasn’t disgraced on only his 2nd All Weather start, finishing 6th of 12 over C&D last month after being hampered. This however does look tougher and he may well be vulnerable today against less exposed horses.

11 JORDAN SPORT – Has a tendency to pull quite hard and did just that on his latest start at Newcastle over 7f in November. Drop back to 6f doesn’t look assured to help as his only other attempt resulted in a poor effort at Newmarket (6f, Good to Soft) in the summer and his pedigree suggests further is needed.

myracing Forecast Prices: 11/4 Dougan, 3/1 Upavon, 11/2 Kasbah, 7/1 Distant Past, 15/2 Gentlemen, 10/1 Related, 12/1 Jordon Sport, 14/1 Suzi’s Connoisseur, 16/1 Ballesteros, 16/1 Angelic Lord, 20/1 Zac Brown