A tricky 0-70 Handicap to sort out with plenty of pace in the race so expect them to go off at a good clip with £2,911 up for grabs. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: The Big Lad rattled off an impressive hat-trick at the turn of the year and is on a workable mark for this. He is sure to go well but with plenty of pace around him, will have to do well from stall 12 to win this. Oeil De Tigre ran well at Nottingham 3 weeks ago and can go close. More Beau showed the application of head-gear did the trick when dead-heating on his last start at Newcastle, but a chance is taken with QORTAAJ who ran a cracker from a terrible draw here two starts back and can be forgiven on his latest start here when very well backed.
1 Be Royale – Won here at the start of last year and only managed on win since at Pontefract in September when staying on nicely in an Apprentice Handicap to win by 2 lengths. Has been in good form since being fitted with a tongue-tie including when 3rd on his last start at Newcastle 16 days ago. Runs off the same mark today and could be involved but poor strike-rate is slightly off-putting.
2 The Big Lad – Rattled off a hat-trick of wins at the end of last year and start of 2016 including 2 wins here back-to-back. Decent 5th on his last start in a Handicap at Lingfield 12 days ago and is on a good mark to make his present felt in this.
3 Oeil De Tigre – Scored off a 1lb lower at Bath in June but couldn’t follow up next time out at the same track. Decent 5th of 10 in a better race than this at Nottingham 3 weeks ago when held up and similar tactics here would see him go close.
4 Bold – Dropped in grade for this race but only 6th of 9 on last start here in August. Hasn’t won since scoring here by 7 lengths in April 2015 and has a visor on for the first time today. Tough to see him getting involved today.
5 Vroom – Has won over C&D last December but poor in 4 runs since including when only 10th of 13 at Chelmsford 27 days ago. One to ignore on this occasion.
6 More Beau – Dead-heated a 10-runner affair at Newcastle 16 days ago wearing cheek-pieces for the 1st time. That seems to have sparked some improvement given his last win came in 2014 and off a 1lb higher mark, can get involved here if putting his best foot forward.
7 Cinders – Fair form in 5 runs this year including a close 3rd of 11 here last month. Wears a tongue-strap and cheek-pieces for the 1st time today and has needs a career best to trouble some of these today.
8 For Ayman – Won here over C&D back in August and, comfortably accounting for his rivals by 2 ¾ lengths. Has filled the runner up spot twice in 4 runs since, including twice here with the second coming last month in what was a strongly run race. Same mark today but needs a lot more to get his head in front again.
9 Qortaaj – Very well backed when sent off a 4/1 chance over the extended seven furlongs here last time out but he didn’t get away the best and didn’t see out the trip that well so the drop back to 6f could be right up his street. He travelled well for a long way over 7f here two starts back when 3rd at 40/1 when drawn out in the car park in Stall 13 so clearly has the ability to land this off this mark.
10 Tagula Night – Hasn’t won in 14 runs since last win here in May last year. Only 11th here 13 days ago and strike rate is certainly off putting. Not getting any younger and headgear on today. Hard to see getting involved.
11 City Of Angkor Wat – Won here in March last year but only 2 wins at Wolverhampton since, the last in June when getting up to win by 1 ½ lengths. Out of form since and unlikely to get back to winning ways today in this line-up.
12 Colourbearer – Won at Chelmsford back in March and fair form in 3 runs after that. Never got involved when last of 10 at Lingfield 12 days ago but has been quiet on last two starts and would probably appreciate a return to Fibresand. Can be ignored here.