December 16 / 18.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

18.30

Standard

Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £5129.32
  • 0m 6f 20y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £3.10

Form: F19765

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All wins at 7f and 1m, the latest two on Newcastle Tapeta; rarely runs over 6f and well held in AW claimer on latest attempt at the trip last autumn; left David O'Meara for 12,000gns in October; usually wears headgear but not today; up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

3rd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

14:32 Yarmouth

Starshiba

10st 0lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jack Morland

Eight-time winner on AW and 0-24 on turf but he went very close off his lower turf mark at Nottingham (8.5f, good to firm) one week ago; same mark here and must have claims in search of his turf breakthrough.

15/8

2nd

1

(3)

26th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

14:12 Nottingham

Starshiba

9st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jack Morland

Last nine starts on AW; ended a losing run when scoring at Lingfield (1m) in December but that set up for his closing style and he's not really threatened in four runs since, latterly at Kempton (7f) 113 days ago; can race off his lower turf mark today but others are more persuasive.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 3-3030

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced maiden who shaped well on debut for this yard after a break, over 7f at Kempton in October; may have found heavy ground too much for him on turf since but remains of interest over 6f; Tapeta debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(8)

30th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

16:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Verdansk

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Has run to a fairly useful level when placed twice on AW since joining this yard, going down by only a neck in 6f course handicap a fortnight ago; stays 7f; sets a decent standard for the rest to aim at.

8/13

2nd

8

(2)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Verdansk

9st 5lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Lightly raced maiden who shaped well on debut for this yard after a break, over 7f at Kempton in October; may have found heavy ground too much for him on turf since but remains of interest over 6f; Tapeta debut.

6/1

10th

11

(3)

4th Nov 2023

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:02 Newmarket

Verdansk

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

raced far side, prominent

11/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 231574 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Has a useful record on this track, winning two out of five, including over 6f, and could have done with a clearer passage 23 days ago; very likely to be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Beauty Choice

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Winless since 2024 and winless in sprints since 2023; said to have hung left when well beaten on his return to turf seven weeks ago and only holds outside claims.

33/1

13th

14

(14)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

14:55 Doncaster

Beauty Choice

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Hindered by traffic issues last time (AW); the 9yo hasn't won since 2024 but is nicely weighted, especially if Lewis Chalkley's 7lb claim is taken into account.

16/1

4th

4

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Beauty Choice

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went without a win in 2025 but often ran well; another serviceable effort when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton in January; others appeal more for win purposes.

7/1

Form: 111194 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Had a superb run since dropped to 6f, winning five on the trot, and might well have made it six had she been able to get through on the rail over C&D on her latest start; sound form chance off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(7)

14th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Kempton (AW)

The Waiting Game

9st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jack Jones

made virtually all, went clear over 2f out, ridden and drifted right over 1f out, kept on

7/2

3rd

4

(8)

28th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

The Waiting Game

9st 11lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Jack Jones

raced in second

5/1

4th

7

(2)

19th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

The Waiting Game

9st 10lb

J: George Rooke

T: Jack Jones

Won five on the spin last season, four of them here (all 6f); running creditably in defeat this year but she needs the step back up in trip to have a positive effect if she's to win.

12/1

Form: 433214 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made the most of modest marks in 2022, winning four, including over C&D; stepped up again when winning at Ffos Las in September and his recent fourth, back here after a break, wasn't a backward step; involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Brazen Idol

9st 7lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: John Ryan

Well suited by conditions; made a promising stable debut 14 days ago, forcing Em Four to pull out all the stops, and that was after a 702-day absence; has to back it up but he will be a danger to all if he does.

6/1

2nd

7

(5)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Brazen Idol

9st 6lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: John Ryan

This is his first run since April 2024 and it remains to be seen how much ability he retains; however, the handicapper has given this two-time C&D winner a chance, and he's not ruled out on his first run for John Ryan (has left John Butler); watch the betting.

11/1

5th

7

(6)

15th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

15:50 Windsor

Brazen Idol

9st 1lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: John Butler

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: -35645 C BF

Last run: 128 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on second start for Ed Walker, over 7f here as 2yo; weighted to his best at that trip and 1m since, cheekpieces no help on latest start in August; sold 12,000gns since; likely to be other days now back at 6f for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(5)

1st Jul 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Passport

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Sole win was in a 2yo novice in 2022 and he's finished down the field in all seven runs for current yard; mark continues to fall but he was tailed off at Brighton (bled from nose) last time and has plenty to prove; reapplied blinkers replace cheekpieces.

14/1

8th

2

(6)

3rd Jun 2024

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Golden Passport

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Jamie Osborne

Sole win was in a 2yo novice in 2022 and he's finished down the field in all six runs for current yard; mark continues to fall but he was beaten 8l at Chelmsford last month and needs to do much better on this step back up to 1m; cheekpieces reapplied.

9/1

8th

2

(3)

9th May 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Golden Passport

9st 10lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Jamie Osborne

Novice winner over this trip in 2022 but hasn't added to tally and below best on three of last four starts; blinkers worn last twice now left off but still has a bit to prove.

10/1

10/1

Form: 351930 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Faded over 7f last month but of more interest returned to 6f, especially having won his only C&D start, in July 2022; since successful off this mark on turf (in July) and looks good for a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

18

(13)

25th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Society Lion

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ed Dunlop

Completed a double off 4lb higher at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last June but he's been well held in three runs this season; seems versatile regarding ground and tactics but he needs to rediscover his spark.

16/1

3rd

3

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Chepstow

Society Lion

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

At his best this time last year and is now 2lb lower than when last successful; well held in two runs back this spring, however, and didn't shine in two previous starts here, so has a bit to prove back from six weeks off.

12/1

25/1

Form: 763010 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Often leads, as when making winning yard debut at Newcastle (7f); still on a handy mark on past C&D form but he faded fast at Newcastle last month and now has something to prove back at 6f from a wide draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(9)

17th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Gobi Sunset

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Front-runner and dual C&D winner, the latest from 5lb higher just under a year ago; 0-16 in the meantime, though, and needs to do better than when returned to the AW at Southwell (7f, Tapeta) a fortnight ago; stable also runs Novak.

12/1

5th

4

(7)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Gobi Sunset

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Iain Jardine

Not been in much form off his lower turf mark this season, coming 12lb down the weights; is 3lb lower than when last seen on the AW but it may just be he's on the downgrade now.

6/1

5th

3

(1)

29th Jul 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Ayr

Gobi Sunset

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he showed some good AW form earlier this year; however, he's without a win on turf since 2019 and he's been unable to threaten on grass on his recent starts.

8/1

Form: 405428

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
All three wins at about 5f on turf in France where he seemed to handle Polytrack, although he hasn't run on the surface since early 2021; sold 15,000gns in October; has more to prove than some on Tapeta debut for new yard with regular headgear left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(10)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hallowed Time

11st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Won a Chester handicap on heavy ground in September 2024 but mainly below form since (finished last of seven over C&D last week); well handicapped but has plenty to prove.

25/1

7th

3

(2)

23rd Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hallowed Time

9st 8lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

Poor strike-rate over the last four years and current mark reflects a decline in his form; best watched unless the market speaks positively.

16/1

6th

5

(2)

14th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Hallowed Time

10st 12lb

J: Miss Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

Went close at Wolverhampton last January and now 8lb lower; however, he's hard to fancy on his recent form and is unproven at this trip.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 202038 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won 6f novice for Richard Hannon as 2yo; thereabouts in 7f handicaps at Ascot and Newbury this summer and he ran a fair race on debut for new yard over C&D in November; raced freely and faded at Chelmsford since so the return to 6f looks worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

10th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Captain Cuddles

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Ex-Richard Hannon; not at his best this year and although well handicapped as a result, has plenty to find on recent efforts; tongue-tie now tried.

20/1

8th

8

(11)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Captain Cuddles

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Fionn McSharry

6f novice winner for Richard Hannon in July 2022 (good to firm); has not shown a great deal lately but is on a career-low mark as a result.

40/1

40/1

Form: 333844

Last run: 103 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Maiden; well treated on best 6f AW form for George Boughey but ended time with that yard on a low note; retains ability for new yard but below best when last seen in September and returns to AW with a wide draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(8)

22nd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kings Gem

9st 6lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Thomas Faulkner

18-race maiden who has returned this year in poor form; easy to dismiss.

25/1

12th
6 (12)
Speedacus

40/1

Form: 461269

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Three 5f turf wins for previous yard this year but his AW form doesn't read as well and he finished last of nine on his recent debut for this yard at Lingfield (33-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

1st Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

16:55 Bath

Speedacus

9st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: John Butler

Five-time turf winner on a variety of ground, but has shown precious little in nine starts for this yard despite a plummeting mark; market should indicate whether a revival is expected.

14/1

13th

5

(7)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Speedacus

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: John Butler

Five-time winner over 5f on turf; out of form since joining present yard, but has dropped to a good mark and may do better on return from a break.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.60
Straight Forecast £39.44
Tricast £262.21
Trifecta £317.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Waiting Game

RP RATINGS:

Brazen Idol

TOPSPEED:

Beauty Choice

D Express:

Starshiba

The Times:

The Waiting Game

Telegraph:

The Waiting Game

The Star:

The Waiting Game

Daily Record:

The Waiting Game

POSTDATA:

Brazen Idol

Daily Mail:

Brazen Idol

Daily Mirror:

Brazen Idol

The Sun:

Brazen Idol

The Guardian:

Beauty Choice