Moment of Hilarity

8:50 Wolverhampton – Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+) 1m 1f 103yds

MOMENT OF CLARITY – ( R C Guest – Krish Gundowry)

# Last 3 races have been in class 6 handicaps
# Up in grade to class 5 this evening
# Won off 52 and 59 (in an apprentice handicap)
# Was then beaten next time off 59 (You don’t get a penalty for winning an apprentice race)
# Is raised in the handicap to a lifetime high mark of 64 this evening should be enough to stop him in this higher grade
# His 3 course runs came on normal polytrack, the surface is riding slow this evening which is not likely to be to his advantage as he always ran below form on turf with cut
# Has the worst draw in stall 6
# He was beaten by Alfie Tupper over C&D last time
# J R Boyle trains Alfie Tupper so knows exactly what it takes to beat the horse, he is running Alonso De Guzman in this.

ALONSO DE GUZMAN – Trainer knows what is required to beat the favourite. This horse has an entry tomorrow and will be looking to win and then turn out quickly under a penalty. Record at Wolverhampton is 3 runs, 2 wins and 1 x 4th place. He is proven on fibresand also so should not be inconvenienced by the track riding slow this evening. He is racing off a mark 5 l/b higher than for his last win (same as fav) however he is a 4yo and has only had 8 runs and is still open to plenty of improvement. Also his record over C&D is 1 run and 1 win (100%).

PRINCE CHARLEMAGNE- Ran well on first run since the end of June last time at Lingfield from todays mark of 73 and was only beaten 1 length. Came back from a similar break at this time of year in 06 and ran a similar race on the 1st run, he improved for that run and rattled up 4 wins in a row starting in the month of January. This is his time of year and he could be ready to strike again. Won from a mark as high as 80 in the past so this evenings mark is very winnable for him. Last time he ran over this C&D he was only beaten 1 ¼ length in a class 4 handicap from 80 so should go very well in this race. Trainers in good form and has already had 5 a/w winners since the 1st of January.

GIVEN A CHOICE – Course winner who is effective over this trip. He ran a poor race 2 runs ago but improved on that form last time in a claimer when 3rd. He was running from marks in the 80’s previously in his career in class 3 and 4 handicaps. He is still up to winning from a mark of 73 in this grade and his only previous run at Wolverhampton resulted in a win so he has a 100% course record (won off 84 in a class 4 handicap here) and the brilliant Tom Queally on board so do not discount a return to form this evening back at this track.

DESERT LEADER – Twice a winner over C&D. Ran really badly when last seen but has been put away for a few months and should be fresher this evening, and no reason why he cant go well. Won here from 74 last January so this is his time of year, on a winnable mark from 67 tonight and has a definite chance here.

KINGS CONFESSION – Has only had 3 runs and makes his handicap debut this evening. Mark of 64 looks quite harsh for first run against battle hardened horses but is obviously open to improvement after just 3 runs. This is his 1st race for 251 days and while he may not be the most obvious winner, at the same time I wouldn’t rule him out totally.

Overview:

This looks a very competitive little handicap and I wouldn’t fully rule out any of the runners. The favourite Moment of Clarity looks very underpriced up in the weights and up in grade so I have to lay him. I have gone for small win bets as a brucie bonus on Desert Leader (due to big price) and Prince Charlemagne who I think holds a big chance in this race and looks the one to beat.

Advised Bet:

2 Point LAY – MOMENT OF CLARITY @ 2.56
¼ Point WIN – DESERT LEADER @ 32.0
¾ Point WIN – PRINCE CHARLEMAGNE @ 4.5

RESULT: http://horses.sportinglife.com/Full_Results/0,12493,252108,00.html

A good result to end the day with Moment of Clarity going of 6-5 fav and finishing last of 6 beaten 27 1/2 lengths. Neither of the win selections ever really looked like winning and 7/1 Given a choice beat Alonso de Guzman 7/2 in a 2 horse finish. A good winning end to the evening on the bet.