'I really like him and he's training well' - intriguing line-up for hot handicap

4.10 Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap | 1m½f | 3yo | Sky

A fascinating three-year-old handicap featuring a clutch of lightly raced improvers from powerful stables.

The test for punters is to evaluate which of the seven runners is most ahead of its mark at this particular time.

Roger Varian’s Great King, an impressive five-length winner over 7f at Newcastle last month, rates an excellent starting point.

The third, Badlands, has since won a Newbury novice, and it’s possible Great King’s opening mark of 87 is eminently workable, particularly with the step up in trip likely to conjure further improvement.

Ilza’Eem, rated 2lb higher on the back of two placed efforts at Kempton plus a dominant four-length Redcar novice win, could also be ahead of the game for Simon and Ed Crisford.

He was an intended runner in a Class 2 Sandown handicap last month but was pulled out with a vet’s certificate.

Summa Peto’s reappearance success at Ayr was impressive. In destroying the well-fancied Water Iris by six and a half lengths, Keith Dalgleish’s colt marked himself out as one to follow.

However, Water Iris put a bit of a dampener on the form next time out when beaten almost 20 lengths behind Timeless Soul at Beverley.

Silent Film ran a most encouraging race at Epsom last month to chase home Fast Steps on his first turf venture.

That looked a reasonable race of its type and the son of New Approach will not be inconvenienced by this return to the all-weather.

Sabousi, another by New Approach, may prove better than the bare form of his Yarmouth return.

What they say

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Saeed Manana, owner of Final Voyage
He has top weight in a tough-looking handicap but hopefully he’ll find this easier than taking on Megallan last time. He’s a course-and-distance winner and that'll stand him in good stead.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Ilza’Eem
We had hoped to run him in the Esher Cup but he got a bruised foot on the morning of the race and we then had him in at Doncaster but it was too soft for him. This looks the right spot for him and he has a good draw, so we’re hopeful.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Silent Film
It looks a tough race but he ran well under a penalty in a novice race at Epsom last time and this looks the right spot for him. He enjoys the all-weather and is still on the upgrade.

Roger Varian, trainer of Great King
It’s a warm race but I really like this horse and he’s been training well at home of late. The track and trip should suit him, although his outside draw isn’t ideal.

Marcus Tregoning, trainer of Tasfeeq
It will be interesting to see how he gets on as it’s his first go on the all-weather but it’s too soft for him on turf at the moment. It’s a competitive race as these races are at this time of year.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Saeed Suhail, owner of Sabousi
He ran in what looked like a hot race at Yarmouth last time and has improved in his work since then. He should go well off a lowish weight.

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