September 07 / 20.15 Wolverhampton (AW)

20.15

Standard

William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 34 Handicap (Racing League)

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 1m 5f 219y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
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William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 34 Handicap (Racing League)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 373154 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Four-time AW winner (once here over 1m4f); saw off five rivals to win a 1m6f handicap at York in June; good late gains at Sandown 18 days ago and he remains on a fair mark; chance would be enhanced by a strong pace.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Diamond Bay

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Ward

On a losing run and he was tried in blinkers when a below-par seventh of ten in 1m6f handicap at Goodwood 30 days ago; others appeal more.

8/1

7th

5

(8)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Goodwood

Diamond Bay

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Ward

Multiple winner who stays well but has failed to beat a rival in his last two races, with and without a visor; now tries blinkers.

8/1

6th

3

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

15:18 Wolverhampton (AW)

Diamond Bay

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Tom Ward

Two wins here including over this trip, but he ran very poorly on his return from four months off at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a fortnight ago, especially as he proven fresh; visor returns.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -11121

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Typically progressive performer for the stable and he's thrived again this year after a wind op, completing a quick hat-trick in June and gaining his biggest win to date when landing a Racing League handicap at Newcastle last week (extended 1m4f); had more in hand than the winning margin suggests there (wasn't doing much in front) and today's new trip can spark further progress; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(9)

31st Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Glenister

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Toby Lawes

Scored five times, mostly on AW, for previous stable; placed over C&D last month on debut for new yard, beaten long way over 2m here since; may rebound, back down in distance.

16/1

12th

10

(12)

6th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Glenister

9st 8lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Toby Lawes

Major improver in 2023 with four wins (1m2f-12.4f) for Sir Mark Prescott, and he wasn't far off his best when third of 13 over 1m4f here on stable debut in December; shapes as if he'll stay this longer trip; respected.

10/1

3rd

1

(1)

20th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

16:55 Kempton (AW)

Glenister

10st 0lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Toby Lawes

Major improver with four middle-distance wins for Sir Mark Prescott (three on AW) since June; tailed off at Epsom on final run for that trainer but was reported to have had an irregular heartbeat and he still looks feasibly treated on his penultimate form; changed hands for 20,000gns in October and needs watching in the market on stable debut.

14/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -23303

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Pushing four years since the last of his three wins; placed in four of his five runs since joining Jim Goldie (1m3f-2m); effective on Tapeta and should run his race but others look stronger for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Faylaq

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

9yo who was well beaten in the John Smith's Cup at York last month but won two in a row here (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and continued in good form until his blip last time; not ruled out now back here.

12/1

9

(12)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Faylaq

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and creditable fifth in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago (2m, AW); he's a 9yo who has never won off a mark this high but is versatile in terms of trip and ran well over C&D last month; not ruled out each-way.

22/1

5th

7

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Faylaq

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Third and sixth in last two runnings of the C&D Vase on this card; in the groove with successive wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f) this May; however, he's been held off this mark when back up to Class 2 in his three starts since, still in form but suggesting that others will have the edge today.

18/1

5/2

Form: 008121 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Comes here in good order, with wins at Tipperary (1m4f, good) and then at Epsom ten days ago (1m4f, good) when powering clear to win by 11l; well in under a 5lb penalty and Billy Loughnane's claim lessens his burden further; effective on artificial surfaces; obvious chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Belgoprince

11st 1lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Close up when placed in two run-of-the-mill handicap hurdles this season (2m2f/2m) but he's 0-12 in this sphere now and his two Flat runs in September were disappointing; needs to raise his game.

10/1

13/2

Form: 523631 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Two course wins for current stable, more recently a decisive C&D win three weeks ago; this looks more competitive but he's not handicapped out of things up 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Newbury

Percy Jones

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

All four wins have come on Wolverhampton AW, the latest off this mark last August (1m4f); absent since November and 0-21 on turf but that includes six seconds, one of those behind Amancio in this race last year after a break (3lb higher today); has to be in each-way calculations.

14/1

12/1

Form: 5-6119 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ex-Godolphin; stepping up to 1m6f has prompted improvement for new yard, winning handicaps at Sandown and Yarmouth (week one of Racing League) in midsummer; progress stalled upped to 2m last month but still has low mileage and shouldn't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Alnilam

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend.

33/1

3rd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Alnilam

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; won on soft ground over hurdles; carries a 3lb penalty today and his progress has stalled on his last two starts, but he's made mistakes each time and could make a bold bid if cutting out the blunders.

9/1

20/1

Form: 3-2356

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
0-7 but he has shown promise at up to 1m4f; hopes appear to rest on the new tongue-tie/trip sparking a jolt of improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Gozo

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Hamilton

A fair hurdles winner (also fair on Flat) for Ben Brookhouse; pulled up on his first two runs for current yard at Catterick and here this year though and he also came in last of eight on the Flat for R Mike Smith three weeks ago; very hard to warm to.

33/1

8th

2

(3)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Gozo

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Gormley

T: R Mike Smith

Well handicapped on Flat form for Ben Brookhouse in early part of 2025, but pulled up in two handicap hurdles when owner-trained this year; now in the care of Mike Smith for Flat return; others have much less to prove.

20/1

8

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Gozo

10st 13lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Andrew Hamilton

Fair Flat racer who won a juvenile event on hurdling debut in 2023 but was not seen again over jumps until pulled up in Catterick handicap on stable debut in January; current ability in this sphere remains hard to gauge.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 781214 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Had a brief but fruitful spell with Ollie Sangster, winning here in April (1m4f; only run in a tongue-tie) and comfortably at Chester in June; sold for 28,000gns in July and made a solid start for new connections in a 1m6f handicap in week one of the Racing League, travelling well off the steady pace but unable to claw back the leaders; could still have more in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

9th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

17:15 Brighton

The Thunderer

10st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

switched to near side

4/1

6th

9

(1)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

The Thunderer

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Stuart Williams

Beaten half a length or less in his last two starts at Newmarket (1m2f/1m4f); has winning form on Tapeta (at Wolverhampton) and is 8lb lower than when last on the AW, but losing run up to 14; needs a bit more.

11/1

3rd

3

(6)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Newmarket (July)

The Thunderer

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Stuart Williams

Has won four middle-distance handicaps and latest was off 9lb higher at Chester (1m4f, good) last June; 0-13 since but he bounced back with a close call over 1m2f here last Friday and is a big player if he can repeat that form (due to be 2lb higher in future).

9/4

8/1

Form: 5-5322

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; just one win to his name but he's been banging at the door of late, missing out by a nose at Sandown (1m6f, good) 18 days ago; this doesn't look overloaded with pace and his rivals would be wise not to give him too much rope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

29th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Dark Island

10st 2lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Heather Main

Front-runner; pipped on the post - his third solid run in a row - at Sandown (1m6f Class 3, good) on penultimate start; did too much to soon back on the AW at Wolverhampton next time and, even over this shorter trip, those forcing tactics are tough to deploy at Newcastle; near career-best required.

5/1

9th

8

(2)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 3

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Island

8st 12lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Heather Main

Front-runner; just one win to his name but he's been banging at the door of late, missing out by a nose at Sandown (1m6f, good) 18 days ago; this doesn't look overloaded with pace and his rivals would be wise not to give him too much rope.

8/1

20/1

Form: 41-607 C

Last run: 75 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Back to form when second in a Stratford handicap chase in July; three heavy defeats on the Flat this season and risky but stepping back up in distance could help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

18th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sophosc

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

It's now 15 runs since his last success but this course winner posted a solid third of ten over C&D 17 days ago; he's one for the shortlist.

9/2

3rd

7

(1)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sophosc

9st 5lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Ian Williams

Winner of 12 races under rules including two here, but losing run up to 16 and he ran poorly at this venue (1m4f) a fortnight ago; enough to prove.

12/1

25/1

Form: 0241-0 CD

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Two course wins when trained by the Johnstons, the latest of them in good style over this trip last October; didn't take to hurdling for Harry Fry and he was tailed off at Royal Ascot in one Flat run for the yard; sold for £16,000 last month; risky until showing some positive signs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Achnamara

11st 8lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Didn't run badly in a low-grade Flat marathon last month but he ended the last jumps season with two disappointing runs (both 2m4f) and has a bit more to prove than some of these.

14/1

3rd

8

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Achnamara

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Well beaten over hurdles on his last two starts but hasn't run badly on his last two Flat outings (1m4f/2m, AW) and his trainer has won two of the last six runnings of this race; not discounted.

14/1

9th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Achnamara

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

Scored twice over hurdles (at about 2m4f) in 2024-25 but has failed to fire this term and beat just two in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap hurdle ten days ago; others appeal more.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.50
Straight Forecast £40.77
Tricast £173.52
Trifecta £220.70

Selections

The Times:

Belgoprince

SPOTLIGHT:

Glenister

RP RATINGS:

Diamond Bay

TOPSPEED:

Faylaq

Daily Mail:

Percy Jones

NEWMARKET:

Glenister

Telegraph:

Glenister

The Star:

Glenister

The Guardian:

Belgoprince

D Express:

Belgoprince

The Sun:

Belgoprince

Daily Record:

Belgoprince

POSTDATA:

Diamond Bay

Daily Mirror:

Faylaq