WOLVERHAMPTON

9:20 WOLVERHAMPTON-RACECOURSE.CO.UK HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (4yo+,0-100) 7f

PARTY BOSS 9-4 ~ 3lbs higher than his highest career winning mark so he’ll need to be on top of his game if he is to record his 9th win on the all weather. He was last seen when finishing last in a Lingfield handicap four months ago and the Clive Brittain grey has a poor record fresh 8,13,7 so he’s up against it. If he returned to the form he showed at the beginning of last year he should go close and considering the excellent form of the yard he could well do.

MESBAAH 9-2 ~ Recorded an impressive performance when winning a Beverley 2yo maiden for his Michael Jarvis. Emerald Wilderness who was beaten 6 lengths has progressed to be rated 92 where as Mesbaah is currently rated 96. That’s only 1lb higher than the handicapper gave him after his maiden win so the handicapper must feel he has his card mark as he has ran well on numerous occasions without winning. He was gelded after his 2yo campaign and it seemed to help as he ran a good race in a conditions stakes on his seasonal reappearance finishing 3rd a little more than 3 lengths behind the 105 rated Traffic Guard. That race was littered with horses that have picked up some black type either before the race or subsequently. He followed that up with a good 7th in a competitive Ascot handicap before two solid efforts in good handicaps and a close 6th in a conditions race at Bath that could easily have been a Listed race given the quality of opposition. He has run well fresh in the past and the drop in trip shouldn’t inconvience him but he hasn’t run on the all weather yet so it remain to be seen whether he takes to it but most horses are trained on it these days so it is less of a problem. He makes his debut for the Richard Fahey yard that is in decent nick at the moment so it will be interesting to see how he figures in the market.

GALLANTRY 8-11 ~ Has been running consistently well this year with 3 seconds in three runs since the New Year. The handicapper has taken notice though and the horse has been slowly creeping up the handicap. The 6yo is 9lbs higher than his highest winning mark but he is in fine form. The son of Green Dessert is closely matched on form lines through Monkey Glas but given that rival will be taken on for the lead Gallantry should be able to confirm form despite being 1lb worse off on recent form.

MONKEY GLAS 8-10 ~ As mentioned above Monkey Glas is closely matched on recent form with Gallantry but comes into the race 1lb better off with that rival. However there are a number of pace setters in the race and it could turn into a battle royale up front setting the race up for a horse sitting off the pace. Like Gallantry the Karl Burke 5yo has been running consistently well without winning and the handicapper has reacted. The Mull Of Kintyre colt is now 9lbs higher than when last winning and could need a drop in the ratings before he starts winning again.

NINTH HOUSE 8-8 ~ He’s been well placed by connections and has a prolific winning record for a horse with a limited level of ability. He lined up for a course and distance handicap on a three timer but those wins had been achieved in claimers and he hadn’t won a handicap for two years. That was achieved off a mark of 81 and running off 77 he proved he still regained all his ability but running away with the race to win by 5 lengths. Unfortunately for connections the handicapper slammed him with an 11lbs rise in the ratings and when next seen out at Lingfield he finished well down the field in 9th. The Nick Littmoden 6yo has a fine course record (11-6-3) and should have the race run to suit but running off a career high mark he looks in the handicappers grip.

COUNSELLOR 8-6 ~ The Stef Liddiard trained 6yo has been slowly dropping back down the handicap after being raised 10lbs for back-to-back wins in November. However judging by recent efforts there is still some way to go before the gelding returns to the winning enclosure after recent efforts. He is well held on the form of his 7th in a Lingfield handicap by Gallantry and Monkey Glas and as one of at least four front runners in the race he won’t have his own way out in front. This is also his 4th run this month after a sustained period of action so it could have caught up with the horse that may be better for a break after his 18th run in 7 months.

BUXTON 8-4 ~ Looked to be in the handicappers grip and unlikely to break his losing run in handicap company anything soon but a drop in trip to 6f and the fitting of a tongue tie worked the oracle. He won a Lingfield 6f handicap but that race as subsequently turned out to be a poor race so to the horses’ credit he did well to follow up in a better race next time out over the same course and distance. He won his only race at Wolverhampton but faces a stiff task off a 4lbs higher mark than when winning at Lingfield, especially as he ran no sort of race at Kempton last time out when stepped back up to 7f. It could be that

CONCLUSION

As mentioned numerous times Gallantry and Monkey Glas are hard to split on form. The slight preference would be for Gallantry who should have the race run to suit. However the winner may come from the two at the head of the handicap Party Boss and Mesbaah. Party Boss would be the logical choice if he was in the form he was in February of last year but I’m not convinced after a couple of disappointing efforts but the form of the stable could bring the horse back to his best. So a chance is taken on Mesbaah who is making his debut for Richard Fahey as well as this being his maiden run on the all weather. The horse ran an excellent race on his seasonal reappearance last year so if his current trainer can get him fit he should put up a bold bid at what I believe is a very fair price. His hasn’t won a handicap before but this is a marked step down in the class of races he’s been running in a performing with credit on the turf.

1pt WIN - MESBAAH @ 13/2

RESULT

MEESBAAH 6th = -1pt