1.45 Wolverhampton 9.5f Betway Handicap (C2) 0-105

On Boxing Day we are back at Wolverhampton for interesting class two 9.5 furlong handicap on the tapeta at 1.45 .

8 runners declared for the Betway (0-105) handicap .This looks good quality (AW) contest .The three main contenders look to be Battle Of Marathon , Mount Tahan & Emenem .

BATTLE OF MARATHON : 5-Y-0 Bay gelding ,formerly trained by Aiden O 'Brien .Winning 2 out 25 .Had some useful form in 2016 ,including finishing second in Listed Paradise Stakes at Ascot .Lightly raced on All Weather ,though returned to form last time winning class three handicap over C&D at Wolverhampton .Up 3lb in weights,though still very well treated on old form.

MOUNT TAHAN : 5-Y-0 Bay gelding ,winning 3 out 27 .Lightly raced on All Weather ,though has finished second on all three starts,including finishing excellent second in strong class two handicap over C&D last time at Wolverhampton .Up 2lb in weights ,though still looks open to further improvement on All Weather .

EMENEM : 3-Y-0 Bay colt ,winning 4 out 10 on All Weather .Consistent sort ,been in decent form this winter ,including winning 10f class 3 handicap at Lingfield last time .Has bit to find with Battle Of Marathon on previous form over C&D at Wolverhampton,though should be thereabouts off 3lb higher mark .

VERDICT: BATTLE OF MARATHON has put in two decent efforts over C&D at Wolverhampton recently.Still looks nicely treated off mark 95,having been rated much higher last season ,including finishing close second in listed company at Ascot .Odds around 9-2 look solid each-way value .

Mount Tahan looks the main danger ,after finishing just in front of Battle Of Marathon at Wolverhampton last month ,though meets that rival on 6lb worse terms.Also the Kevin Ryan stable are struggling for winners . 
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BATTLE OF MARATHON 1.45 WOLVERHAMPTON
£30.00 EACH-WAY@ 9-2 888SPORT 
(UNPLACED SP 3-1F LOSS £60.00 )