Racecards
20:20 Wolverhampton
Bet 'ryanair Chase' - Betdaq Handicap (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 1f 103y
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Fibresand
- £4,000 added
- Form 132122
- Age 6
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 75
slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, not reach leaders
- Form 423159-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer Miss M E Rowland
- Jockey A Kirby
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 53-1121
- Age 4
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey T G McLaughlin
in touch, slightly hampered 3f out, soon ridden, no impression
- Form 6/75235-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer Paul Green
- Jockey F Norton
keen in rear, effort 3f out, behind final 2f
- Form 088-541
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer J Mackie
- Jockey P Cosgrave
in touch, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra close home
- Form 043-426
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey Hayley Turner
made all, keen hold, edging right when challenged final furlong, kept on
Mac Don (IRE)
135- Form 54/0800-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 68
mid-division, reminders over 4f out, never dangerous
Watchmaker
12- Form 228-163
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer Miss Tor Sturgis
- Jockey P Doe
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
In depth
Verdict
Morbick is confidently selected to take tonight's feature with Given A Choice and Kildare Sun seen as the most obvious opposition. Mark Brisbourne's charge has looked most progressive over the winter and while he probably hasn't beaten a lot, he has done the winning with a fair degree of style. Given A Choice has been prolific in claimers but it remains to be seen as whether he can cut the ice in handicaps. Cheekpieces are tried again. Kildare Sun made all to take a similar race last week. That was his first run for over a year so it is to be hoped that he does not bounce. Watchmaker has campaigned regularly at Kempton and switches to Wolverhampton for the first time. Timber Treasure was bought out of Henry Cecil's stable for 16000gns and makes a debut for Paul Green. A competitive little heat on paper but there looks as if there is plenty to come from Morbick and he is our confident recommendation.
Formwatch
Given A Choice (IRE) 6-4 (9-2) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway to chase winner well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 6, hd behind Without Excuse (9-3) at Kempton 1m app clm (5) pol in Feb.
Final Tune (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Prominent, took narrow 2nd 4f out until over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 12, 8l behind Ace of Hearts (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Morbick 13-8fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Steig (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Timber Treasure (USA) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace when hung right final furlong, 5th of 15, 9l behind Northern Spy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Oct.
Kildare Sun (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Made all, ridden well over 1f out, held on gamely towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Breaker Morant (8-12) by a nk, 6 ran.
Saviour Sand (IRE) 7-4fav (9-13) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind William Blake (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn stk (5) fbs in Feb.
Mac Don (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, 14th of 20, 8l behind Poppyfield (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m handicap gf in Oct.
Watchmaker 7-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Prime Number (8-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.