'He's riding out of his skin' - Loughnane backs son Billy to star on City Escape

Wednesday: 1.40 Wolverhampton
BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap | 1m1½f | 4yo+ | Sky

There isn’t a hotter apprentice in Britain right now than Billy Loughnane and he booted home a treble at this course on Monday night, including two winners for his in-form father Mark.

They team up again with City Escape, who has recorded two victories at the track and that includes a defeat of rival Cicely over course and distance last month. The pair race again here with City Escape running on 5lb better terms.

That's because Cicely has come out and won since and she did it well too. She ran away with a course-and-distance handicap last month, for which she has been raised 5lb in the weights.

Cicely is two years younger than City Escape and therefore might have improved enough to reverse the form from two outings ago. However, the weights favour City Escape.

The biggest danger to those two may be Richard R H B, who recorded all four of his wins at Wolverhampton for the unrelated David Loughnane. However, he is now with Mick Appleby.

Richard R H B runs for Mick ApplebyCredit: Steve Davies

Richard R H B has had five runs for his new trainer and recorded form figures of 22345. His Racing Post Ratings have steadily regressed, but so has his BHA handicap mark and he is now able to run from 11lb lower than when last successful at the track, so is well treated.

The final word goes to Victoria Falls, who is trained by Hugo Palmer and the stable has been in red-hot form in recent weeks. Victoria Falls has just her second run in a handicap this time.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Richard R H B
He's down to Class 6 level, which will make things easier. He has good form at the track and looks to have a good shout.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Victoria Falls
She’s always shown more at home than she's shown on the track. She looked a bit slow at Newcastle last time so we're stepping her up in trip. The horses are running better now than they were at the time of her last run, so hopefully she can run a better race.

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Cicely
She's been doing well for us the last few weeks and won well over course and distance last time. This looks a good opportunity for her and she may have a couple more runs before we decide whether she takes up her engagement in the sales next month.

Adrian Wintle, trainer of Satellite Call
He pleased us at Chelmsford the time before last and disappointed at Wolverhampton last time but he did pull a shoe off at the start. Normally, I wouldn't give that as an excuse but he does need things to drop right for him. If he runs to his potential he has an each-way chance.

Ivan Furtado, trainer of Boasty
He may have needed his first run back after a break at Chelmsford last time and, providing he doesn't need another one, he should run a good race. He likes Wolverhampton so we'll give it a go.

Mark Loughnane, trainer of City Escape
She's been a bit unlucky the last twice. First she missed the break and then ran into traffic last time. I think Cicely is well treated but Billy is back on our mare having had to go elsewhere last time. He's riding out of his skin at the moment so we're hopeful.
Reporting by David Milnes

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