January 20 / 17.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

17.30

Standard

BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 1m 4f 51y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 8/885-

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Well held in all seven starts but he was a market springer on his Kempton return (1m3f) last month and finished a respectable fifth of 13; should benefit from that run and he's one to keep an eye on at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:42 Newton Abbot

Hawa Jumeirah

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Dual Flat winner (1m2f/1m4f) who had shown little over hurdles until stepped up in trip when a near 6l third behind Saucats over C&D ten days ago; meets that rival on 4lb better terms and enters calculations if building on that performance.

14/1

3rd

6

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Hawa Jumeirah

10st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Dual Flat winner (1m2f/1m4f) who hasn't offered much at all over hurdles, including his handicap debut here last time when tried in a tongue-tie; went off 25-1 that day.

20/1

8th

9

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Hawa Jumeirah

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

Dual Flat winner (1m2f/1m4f); has offered little in three runs over hurdles for this stable but may fare better now switched to handicaps with a tongue-tie added.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 5090-3

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Unexposed at this trip and he perked up with a fair third over C&D last time but was behind Walk The Moon in that race and he's now 0-12; needs to find more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

13:30 Lingfield (AW)

This Time Maybe

9st 9lb

J: George Bass

T: Mark Usher

One of his two wins was over this C&D in August; hasn't run quite so well since; could bounce back.

5/1

4th

9

(9)

22nd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

This Time Maybe

9st 3lb

J: George Bass

T: Mark Usher

Two wins on AW this year, with first over C&D in April and latest at Lingfield (AW) last month; disappointing back at this track last time but he may have done too much too soon and he's capable of bouncing back; in the mix for in-form yard.

11/2

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0636-1 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Recorded his fourth course win when justifying favouritism off a reduced mark over C&D (Virtual Hug second) two weeks ago; only 2lb higher than for that success and he should get a decent tow into this race; big player again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(5)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Starfighter

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Now at the veteran stage but has won five times and been placed on nine occasions around here; twice finished runner-up in similar events over C&D at the start of the year and another big effort seems likely.

5/2

8th

7

(2)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

13:12 Lingfield (AW)

Starfighter

10st 11lb

J: Mr Jack Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Six-time Tapeta winner who has finished runner-up in classified events at Wolverhampton (1m4f) in his last two starts; still looks feasibly treated back in a handicap and he's a big player if he can transfer his form back to Polytrack.

7/2

2nd

4

(6)

9th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Starfighter

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Veteran who is a five-time winner at Wolverhampton; close second, clear of remainder, in C&D classified race last time; leading claims.

5/6

Form: 0360-2

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
20-race maiden under both codes but he ran his best race for some time when runner-up over C&D 14 days ago; hung right in the closing stages but he pulled clear of the third and that was a promising effort after wind surgery; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(10)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

18:45 Windsor

Walk The Moon

9st 6lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Kept on for third in recent selling handicap at Lingfield (11.6f, good; behind Velvet Vulcan), making the frame in his fourth consecutive Flat race, but career strike-rate now stands at 0-31.

12/1

8

(6)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 6

14:55 Lingfield

Walk The Moon

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Tony Carroll

0-24 on the Flat but he wasn't running badly in this sphere prior to finishing tailed off over hurdles three weeks ago; not ruled out from this career-low mark with Oisin Murphy taking over.

4/1

9th

6

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:10 Stratford

Walk The Moon

11st 3lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

0-24 on the Flat and 0-5 over hurdles; not seen over jumps since 38l defeat in 2m2f handicap here in October and his tendency to race too freely is always a worry.

50/1

Form: U7621- D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Snapped a long losing run when scoring at Dundalk (1m4f, Polytrack) last month; this is tougher off his revised mark but he's won on Tapeta in the past and is unexposed at this trip; withdrawn after unseating rider and getting loose before the start here on Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:20 Wexford

Esticky End

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Flat winner is now 0-14 over hurdles, well held over C&D on penultimate, badly hampered at Tramore since.

25/1

16

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

19:30 Tramore

Esticky End

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Flat winner is 0-13 over hurdles; didn't run terribly at Down Royal in December off this mark; should be sharper for latest run at Wexford when made late gains from the back; could outrun likely odds.

16/1

7th

14

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Esticky End

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Five-time Flat winner (last win in 2024) but yet to trouble the judge in 12 starts over hurdles; some decent runs in defeat when last seen over the winter, finished fifth of 13 at Thurles (2m, good to yielding) and fifth of 20 at Down Royal (2m1f, yielding), flying home after being hampered by a faller; can't be ruled out.

6/1

14/1

Form: 7354-4 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-17 but he's reached the frame in three of his last four runs including an eyecatching fourth at Lingfield (1m4f) last Monday; has wide draw back on Tapeta but he remains well treated on old form and it wouldn't be a surprise if he made a serious impact.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

3rd Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mhajim

9st 4lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

led

7/1

8th

7

(3)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Mhajim

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

slowly away, took keen hold, towards rear

8/1

5th

5

(6)

12th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

11:55 Southwell (AW)

Mhajim

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

dwelt start, in rear, going okay but plenty to do 3f out, hung left but some headway from 2f out, never near to challenge

8/1

8/1

Form: 7476-2 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
His last three wins have been at this track and he was close second behind Starfighter over C&D two weeks ago; only 1lb higher here and another bold bid could be on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

15:50 Bath

Virtual Hug

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Nikki Evans

Belatedly opened his Flat turf account over C&D (good) last month; respectable third to Basilette here on firm since; course record reads 423213 so expect him to be in the shake-up.

7/1

3rd

2

(5)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

19:12 Bath

Virtual Hug

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Nikki Evans

Belatedly opened his Flat turf account in similar event over C&D (good) last week, taking Bath record to 42321 and adding to his AW/hurdles wins; incurs 4lb penalty but defied this mark a couple of years ago; very solid chance.

11/4

33/1

Form: 6880/6 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Just one win from 37 starts and he returned from a lengthy absence with a well-held sixth over C&D two weeks ago; may have needed that run but he finished 7l behind Starfighter and needs to show a lot more this time; stablemate of Walk The Moon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Abstract

9st 0lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Had a long absence before reappearing last January and he didn't offer a great deal of encouragement in 2025.

20/1

12

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

15:28 Bath

Abstract

9st 6lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Yet to add to his 1m4f AW win in March 2023 and has had several chances off lowly marks this year; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

7

(3)

29th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 209y

Class 6

16:03 Ffos Las

Abstract

9st 0lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

AW winner over 1m4f in 2023 but he's been big prices and well held in 2025; major turnaround needed.

20/1

Form: 94/27- BF

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner who is lightly raced on the Flat but flopped when favourite in a Catterick handicap (2m, good to firm) when last seen in August; probably did too much too soon in that race and now drops back in trip on her return, but others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Max Of Stars

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ollie Pears

Beat three rivals in this 12 months ago and has added further wins since then, on the Flat and over hurdles; only beaten a length in 1m4f handicap last time after a wind operation; not handicapped out of it by any means.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 6

13:40 Ripon

Max Of Stars

10st 7lb

J: Miss Chelsea Brooks

T: Ollie Pears

117-rated hurdler, who regularly took travelling in her stride (three wins down at Newton Abbot); won well, making all, on the Flat at Thirsk (1m4f, soft; from 7lb lower) last September; notable candidate back to this discipline following more wind surgery.

13/2

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:08 Stratford

Max Of Stars

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ollie Pears

Front-runner who enjoyed a resurgence last year, winning three times over hurdles and once on the Flat; absent since November, though, and will need to resume in peak form to have any chance off current mark.

7/1

40/1

Form: 5/969- CD

Last run: 188 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Well treated on old form but he missed 2023 and finished down the field in only three runs last year; has plenty to prove after another absence and hard to know how much ability remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

1st Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Avarice

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John Butler

Not the most prolific (3-31) but he has winning form over C&D and with cheekpieces back on he landed a cosy success in a 0-50 classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) eight days ago; has more on his plate back in a handicap under a 4lb penalty, but still more appealing than most; stable also runs Disquietude.

5/2

5th

5

(10)

1st Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Avarice

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John Butler

Not the most prolific (3-31) but he has winning form over C&D and with cheekpieces back on he landed a cosy success in a 0-50 classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) eight days ago; has more on his plate back in a handicap under a 4lb penalty, but still more appealing than most; stable also runs Disquietude.

5/2

1st

1

(8)

24th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:47 Lingfield (AW)

Avarice

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: John Butler

Sole AW win at Wolverhampton in 2022 but he acts well here; it's been a long road back from nearly two years off the track but he shaped a bit better at Wolverhampton recently when not getting the best of runs; interesting and worth a market check now qualified for this level.

5/1

Form: 4658-6

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo but she finished last in her first two handicaps and was only sixth of eight at Lingfield (1m2f) on recent stable debut; continues to drop down the weights but she needs improvement at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(10)

20th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sparkling Belle

9st 6lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

raced wide, midfield, weakened over 1f out

20/1

11th

6

(10)

20th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sparkling Belle

9st 6lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Lightly raced 4yo but she finished last in her first two handicaps and was only sixth of eight at Lingfield (1m2f) on recent stable debut; continues to drop down the weights but she needs improvement at this new trip.

20/1

6th

1

(6)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:07 Lingfield (AW)

Sparkling Belle

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

squeezed out start, towards rear, took keen hold after 2f

25/1

Non-runners

Sophosc

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £64.20
Straight Forecast £58.93
Tricast £266.47
Trifecta £323.00

Selections

The Guardian:

Esticky End

SPOTLIGHT:

Starfighter

The Times:

Walk The Moon

POSTDATA:

Sophosc

Telegraph:

Walk The Moon

D Express:

Esticky End

The Sun:

Esticky End

The Star:

Esticky End

Daily Record:

Esticky End

RP RATINGS:

Starfighter

Daily Mail:

Starfighter

Daily Mirror:

Starfighter