December 09 / 20.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

20.30

Standard

BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap

  • Prize money: £5129.32
  • 1m 4f 51y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 363655 CD BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D scorer last winter who made a promising return from a 75-day layoff when fifth over 1m6f here last time; big shout eased 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Nolton Cross

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hugo Palmer

Six wins (latest in February) from 24 AW starts but 0-10 on turf; Newmarket 15 days ago saw first turf race since 2023 and he came last of eight.

25/1

8th

8

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Nolton Cross

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Six wins from his 24 AW starts, the latest in February, but 0-9 on turf and he was last seen in this sphere in 2023; fit from AW action (well beaten in hot race last time) but other options seem more likely.

25/1

13th

10

(2)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Nolton Cross

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Six wins from his 23 AW starts, the latest at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in February; has continued in good form when fourth at Lingfield and Kempton on last two starts, but he may again be vulnerable today.

25/1

Form: 3-4627 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Winless since 2021 but in good nick for his current yard, off four months before a staying-on seventh of 14 at Kempton (1m4f) 24 days ago; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:05 Sandown

Enthrallment

9st 8lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Karen Jewell

took keen hold, pressed leader, pulled way into lead after 4f

16/1

2nd

2

(1)

10th Jul 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

17:40 Kempton (AW)

Enthrallment

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Karen Jewell

Sole win came in Ireland as a 2yo; 7lb lower than when third of eight at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in December, but modest in his last three starts including on stable debut at Newbury (1m2f, good) in May; cheekpieces given a go but others stronger.

33/1

14th

11

(12)

17th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Enthrallment

9st 2lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Karen Jewell

Maiden winner at two when with Dermot Weld; had some placed form in Britain for his next yard but two quiet runs on the AW when last seen and makes stable debut in a warm handicap.

33/1

Form: 500027

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Scored at Hamilton (1m5f) in June and back on song of late, just over 2l seventh of 12 at Newcastle (1m4f) 24 days ago; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

La Pulga

9st 8lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Front-runner who has been keeping busy, winning at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last month and going close on two of his three starts since, most recently beaten half a length at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm); has won here and is capable of another bold bid.

7/1

3

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

La Pulga

9st 13lb

J: Hugh Bowman

T: Charlie Johnston

Usually front-runs; never better than with his first and second at the end of last month, which were on AW however and his top four RPRs have now been registered in that sphere; something to find on turf, including as he was third here (1m6f, good to firm) earlier in July but is now 7lb higher and he dropped out at Chepstow on Thursday.

5/1

Form: 820934 D BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Comes here on a lengthy losing run but he wasn't disgraced when fourth of eight in 1m5f Chelmsford handicap 30 days ago; considered on his Tapeta debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

0-17 on AW but he returned to form with a staying-on third here (1m6f) last month; now drops back in trip but he's 1lb lower than last time and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style; visor reapplied.

9/2

3rd

2

(7)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

On losing run and 0-16 on AW, unable to justify favouritism at Chelmsford 12 days ago; another 2lb lower today and too much ability to discount.

9/2

Form: 472168 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
A three-time winner this season, including over C&D, and not discredited when eighth of 12 at Newcastle (1m4f) 24 days ago; he's not discounted in refitted blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

15:40 Brighton

Lexington Knight

10st 3lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Won this 12 months ago and returns on a hat-trick after another course win (made all) and a success at Salisbury that looked unlikely until he picked up late on; might travel sweeter back at this track and can cope with this mark.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

19:50 Salisbury

Lexington Knight

9st 7lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Returned from three-month break with front-running win at Brighton (1m4f, good) in May and will be fine on the faster surface here but he's probably not quite as good as he was; younger rivals appeal more.

11/4

1

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

16:05 Brighton

Lexington Knight

9st 9lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Ordinary form on the AW during the winter but he is 5lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) last August; off since February but he's respected back here on this return.

13/2

Form: 723232 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
C&D scorer who has been knocking on the door, second of eight back here 16 days ago; ought to be in the shake-up nudged up 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Way Of Life

9st 8lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Kickstarted 2026 with success at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in March and backed it up with a good third of 12 in another 9.5f handicap there since; this C&D scorer can go well again off the same mark.

5/1

3rd

4

(12)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Way Of Life

9st 8lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

His first seven wins were all gained over 1m4f/1m3f, with the latest of those last October, but he then made all under Olivia Tubb in a six-runner race over C&D 13 days ago; that win was by a neck and he's been raised 2lb since, but a wide draw complicates today's task.

12/1

1st

5

(3)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Way Of Life

9st 6lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Has gained all wins over 1m3f/1m4f, including at Southwell (narrowly) in October when last seen; the 8yo is still competitively treated on historical data but has something to prove back down in trip.

7/1

Form: 204735 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Signed off last term with a C&D success and he comes here in good order, fifth of 14 at Kempton (1m4f) 24 days ago; well in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(10)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Haku

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Mark Loughnane

Multiple AW winner who should give his running but may struggle to defy current mark (career-high one) and reverse placings with Paradias; finished about 2l behind that rival in this contest 12 months ago and at Wolverhampton latest start.

10/1

2

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:50 Kempton (AW)

Haku

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Mark Loughnane

Completed an AW double in May when last seen and gained the latest success over C&D, taking record in this sphere to 9-30; likely player provided he returns in similar form.

13/2

1

(2)

28th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:22 Kempton (AW)

Haku

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Mark Loughnane

Dual C&D winner who comes into this off the back off an easy success over three rivals at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) last Thursday (sixth win there); not quite sure what he achieved, though, and his penalty puts him back on a career-high mark.

15/2

Form: 221-00

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
A dual winner in 2022 but he's failed to beat a rival in his two starts (Kempton and here) this term; others are much preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

20th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:25 Brighton

Robert Walpole

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Thomas Faulkner

Dual winner for Roger Varian in 2022; three changes of stable since and best effort for a while came on latest start when second of seven off this mark over C&D (good to firm); withdrawn in early July on account of being unruly at the start but has a chance if behaving.

13/2

5

(3)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 6

20:30 Epsom

Robert Walpole

9st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Deborah Faulkner

Dual winner for Roger Varian in 2022; three trainer changes since and best effort for a while came on latest start when second of seven at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) under Joe Leavy, running on well when tongue tied for the second time; chance off the same mark.

9/1

2nd

5

(2)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

20:00 Brighton

Robert Walpole

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Deborah Faulkner

Dual winner for Roger Varian who's been around a bit and not been anything like as good since returning from a year off; stumbled at Bath last time and the handicapper's easing off quickly but he needs a deal more.

16/1

Non-runners

Pistoletto

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Nolton Cross

LAMBOURN:

Way Of Life

NEWMARKET:

Enthrallment

TOPSPEED:

Haku

The Star:

La Pulga

RP RATINGS:

Nolton Cross

POSTDATA:

Nolton Cross

The Times:

Nolton Cross

Telegraph:

Nolton Cross

The Guardian:

Nolton Cross

Daily Mirror:

Nolton Cross

D Express:

Enthrallment

Daily Mail:

Way Of Life

The Sun:

Way Of Life

Daily Record:

Way Of Life