January 07 / 18.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

18.30

Standard

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  • Prize money: £13870.1
  • 1m 0f 142y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 02204- C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Only one win (last March) during the last two years but he looks in good enough form to be thereabouts if he sees it out on first run beyond 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(10)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Titan Rock

9st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

held up in rear

14/1

Form: 59932-

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Debut remains his only win after 14 races but he's made a sound start for new trainer with two places at this track, finding only Ernie's Valentine too good over C&D eight days ago (True Statesman a close third); has the same mark today and should be seriously involved again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:25 Nottingham

Bass Player

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Ended 2025 with two good runs but he has been well short of that level in two runs this year, a wind op before the latest making no difference; tongue tie returns; risky despite his reduced mark.

20/1

11th

9

(8)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Bass Player

8st 11lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

First win was on turf (7f) and last two have been on Tapeta (8.6f); reached the frame in two starts at Wolverhampton in December but he had a major blip there the following month; had another wind operation since and needs a major revival after four months off.

12/1

Form: /1408-

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Lingfield novice winner (1m2f, Polytrack) for Roger Varian last March; ran poorly at Newbury (soft; his only time in a hood) in April before 16,000gns sale in October; prominent long way at Kempton 18 days ago, but he needs to be back to his best on first attempt in these cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(7)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Chantico

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Outstayed in 2m novice hurdle three weeks ago; has form at up to 1m3f on the Flat; still seeking first win for current yard but went close at Bath in April; new trip presents a question mark.

14/1

4th

1

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Chantico

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Had 1-14 strike-rate on the Flat but showed some fairly useful form at up to 1m3f; his tendency to race too freely is a worry on this hurdling debut but he's a half-brother to smart hurdler Golden Ace; interesting to see how he fares.

7/2

6th

6

(7)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:52 Newcastle (AW)

Chantico

9st 5lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

slowly into stride, pulled hard, held up in rear

10/1

Form: 72858-

Last run: 92 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two 1m wins on turf last year but his only AW win (25 races) was in 2019 and he does not look the best handicapped in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(13)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Maysong

9st 4lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

Last run at Kempton saw him finish a close second off a 15lb higher mark and that was as recent as March; likely to exploit his drop in the weights at some point but perhaps in a less competitive race than this.

12/1

6th

6

(7)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 5

17:00 Yarmouth

Maysong

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Has looked on the downgrade in recent times, coming 16lb down the weights this year; hasn't looked to see out 1m2f the past twice, though, and a better showing wouldn't surprise back in the usual cheekpieces.

20/1

5th

5

(4)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Newmarket (July)

Maysong

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alice Haynes

Usually seen over 1m and a return to 1m2f ten days ago did not yield anything; 12lb lower than at start of the year but others have more pressing claims.

12/1

20/1

Form: 51708-

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won on turf last May (1m) and October (1m2f); lesser efforts on last three outings, the latest over 9.4f here six weeks ago on just his fifth AW start; others look a bit more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(3)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

18:40 Yarmouth

Hartswood

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Prolific winner who was in fine form through the winter but progress was stalled by a three-month absence when well beaten at Carlisle (1m, soft; ground no excuse); would have each-way claims if back on song a month later.

25/1

11

(14)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:15 Carlisle

Hartswood

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Has won three of his last four regulation races, two on the AW and the other at Doncaster in March (1m, good); won the charity race at York for the second time 12 days ago, goes well on soft ground and one to take seriously.

12/1

1st

2

(18)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Doncaster

Hartswood

11st 2lb

J: Miss Lois Teal

T: Richard Fahey

in rear

8/1

Form: 55681- CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
3-19 for the Coles; joined this yard in the autumn and won from Bass Player and True Statesman over C&D eight days ago on second run for them; back up 2lb but has a pretty solid record on AW and will probably be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(9)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ernies Valentine

8st 10lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Ross Burdon

Seven wins on the AW; consistent in the main and ran okay over the 8.6f here ten days ago, leaving the impression that this longer trip is worth another go.

14/1

4th

3

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ernies Valentine

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ross Burdon

Seven times an AW winner, twice over C&D; back to his last winning mark and Jack Mitchell takes over from a 7lb claimer; one to take seriously.

4/1

8th

8

(1)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

17:08 Southwell (AW)

Ernies Valentine

9st 7lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Ross Burdon

Reliable sort who comes here on the back of a solid fifth of 12 in 7f handicap here 18 days ago; he ought to be in the shake-up once more.

5/1

10/1

Form: /5829- CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two Tapeta wins (one C&D) in 2022 among first four starts; not seen last year until September and sparked only once from his four starts since, when beaten a neck here (9.4f) in November; made the running that day and tried it again when disappointing in cheekpieces on latest outing; mixed messages.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Borgi

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: S Woods

Another prominent racer; now a seven-time winner on the AW after this year's wins over C&D and at Wolverhampton (8.6f); those were Class 4s but he's got a canny habit of never winning by far so remains on a fair mark.

7/1

1st

3

(2)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Borgi

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: S Woods

Having slipped down the weights he returned to winning ways with a comfortable success at Lingfield (1m) four weeks ago; up 4lb but not handicapped out of things.

5/2

1st

5

(7)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

16:15 Lingfield (AW)

Borgi

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: S Woods

Has dropped to a dangerous mark, 8lb lower than when last successful, but losing run up to 11 and he was behind three of these at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) 13 days ago.

10/1

Form: 89033-

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won twice in summer as a 2yo; best efforts last year when third twice in December, latterly when close up behind Ernie's Valentine and Bass Player over C&D eight days ago; wandered to his right once hitting the front that day and now sports headgear first time; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(10)

1st Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Galway

True Statesman

9st 12lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Won twice at two for the Johnstons in 2022; winless since and hard to fancy on recent efforts (cheekpieces back on for visor here).

20/1

8th

8

(6)

19th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 140y

18:52 Down Royal

True Statesman

9st 4lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

8/1

11th

4

(9)

12th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Dundalk (AW)

True Statesman

9st 11lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Won twice at two for the Johnstons; winless since and has become hard to predict; last month's close fourth at Leopardstown gives him a chance.

10/1

Form: 90/05- CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Dual winner here in 2021; lightly raced and disappointing for Keith Dalgleish in 2022; ran only twice last term, sold for 7,000gns before his fifth of ten over C&D in November when he may have overdone it setting the pace; 14lb below his peak mark, so new yard may well have something to work with.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(1)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Summa Peto

9st 9lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

disputed lead early, switched right soon after start, led overall after 1f

33/1

8th

2

(1)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Summa Peto

9st 9lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

disputed lead early, switched right soon after start, led overall after 1f

33/1

13th

6

(9)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

15:50 Newcastle (AW)

Summa Peto

9st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Michael Appleby

awkward start

16/1

Form: 44/86-

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Ex-French (1m turf winner); 100-1 and 40-1 when never threatening in his two starts for new stable but beaten only 5l last time (sixth of eight over 9.4f here) and could be on his way back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(8)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Law Supreme

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

His good run of form ground to a halt at Thirsk last time but he can be given a pass as he was tight for room at a crucial stage; Billy Loughnane back on board today and his record for him reads 4111; one to take seriously.

4/1

8th

2

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:00 Thirsk

Law Supreme

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

He had dropped a long way in the weights prior to his Wolverhampton win on Boxing Day; added further wins at Wolverhampton (twice) and Bath (1m, good) since; similar form when fourth at Nottingham two weeks ago (1m2f, good); shouldn't be far away if the ground is deemed suitable (untried on faster than good).

3/1

4th

1

(10)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Law Supreme

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Made it 4-7 since cheekpieces went on when seeing off ten rivals back on turf at Bath (1m, good) 13 days ago; a 3lb rise shouldn't prevent another prominent showing in his current mood.

100/30

Form: 25431-

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Six-time turf winner; it took 13 attempts before he scored on AW, making the breakthrough at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) ten days ago; that followed a close C&D third and he should have a say if the first-time visor (replacing usual cheekpieces) has no adverse effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:50 Redcar

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Closely-matched with Classic Encounter on their form at York last June (1m1f, good to firm); bit disappointing since Ripon win in July (1m, good to soft), although excuses for poor reappearance run (blindfold removed late).

20/1

9th

7

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; ended 2025 quietly and there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run; withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls at Ripon two weeks ago (25-1 at the time).

25/1

8

(7)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Cosmos Raj

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; may have been ready for a break towards end of last season but there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run.

9/1

Non-runners

Master Of Combat

Selections

RP RATINGS:

True Statesman

TOPSPEED:

Cosmos Raj

SPOTLIGHT:

Summa Peto

Daily Record:

Bass Player

The Star:

Ernie's Valentine

The Sun:

Master Of Combat

NEWMARKET:

Maysong

The Times:

True Statesman

Telegraph:

True Statesman

Daily Mirror:

True Statesman

POSTDATA:

Cosmos Raj

D Express:

Summa Peto