January 18 / 18.00 Wolverhampton (AW)

18.00

Standard

Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 2m 0f 120y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 43113- D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Appreciated the step up in trip when winning twice at Southwell (16.5f, Tapeta) in November and again ran well when third of 12 over this C&D last month (three of these behind); a couple of winners have come out of that race and much respected off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(9)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Payment Plan

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: John Butler

Dual C&D winner in November 2024, but finished miles behind Charlie Darling on his return from 11 months off back here 26 days ago; the market should indicate whether a much better effort is anticipated.

9/2

7th

5

(4)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

19:48 Southwell (AW)

Payment Plan

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: John Butler

Two from two over C&D, namely wins in November 2024 during a good spell on AW; eventually lost his form and has been absent since last May but looks interesting back here.

12/1

5th

1

(5)

9th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:50 Nottingham

Payment Plan

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

led, headed and prominent after 4f, lost second under 3f out, weakened from over 1f out

9/1

2nd
10 (6)
Shaad

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 62479-

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden whose best effort was when chasing home Alex The Great on stable debut at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) in November, but he has regressed since and finished behind three of these over C&D last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(1)

29th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Shaad

8st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Owen

in touch with leaders, disputing second after 5f, raced in second over 3f out

3/1

3rd

9

(1)

29th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Shaad

8st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Owen

in touch with leaders, disputing second after 5f, raced in second over 3f out

3/1

2nd

10

(6)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shaad

8st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Owen

midfield but in touch with leaders

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 9882-3

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Positvely ridden when placed behind a thriving rival at Chelmsford (1m6f, Polytrack) the last twice, but now 0-12 and still to fully convince that he wants this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(1)

17th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:05 Lingfield (AW)

Lumberjack

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Mark Usher

Placed several times, including 7l second at Chelmsford (1m5f) on reappearance; has each-way hopes but looks far from guaranteed to go one better, being still a maiden at the age of seven.

13/2

11

(5)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lumberjack

9st 0lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Mark Usher

0-16; placed three times over 1m6f-16.5f on the AW last winter, but then lost her way and needs to hit the ground running back from 161 days off.

25/1

10th

11

(1)

8th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

17:27 Southwell (AW)

Lumberjack

8st 9lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Mark Usher

15-race maiden and has been below par on his last two starts; dropping back in trip not sure to suit and first-time visor replaces cheekpieces; others preferred.

25/1

Form: 1393-4

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
1-18, the win coming off this mark on his second start for the yard at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) in November; has made the frame in three of his four outings since (underwent wind surgery before penultimate start) and holds each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Warwick

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner at a modest level on Flat; beaten long way in two similar events over 2m at Hereford recently; steps up in trip but easy to dismiss.

40/1

4th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:12 Hereford

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner at a modest level on Flat; beaten long way over C&D switched to hurdles time; opposed.

33/1

9th

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

High-mileage three-time Flat winner who is now limited in that scene, only ten days ago finishing well held off a basement mark on the AW.

100/1

Form: 3535-6 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Consistent before and since winning with some authority at Southwell (16.5f, Tapeta) in November; still 3lb higher but no reason why he again shouldn't run his race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

3rd Feb 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sir Joseph Swan

8st 13lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Ended long losing run when scoring off 1lb lower at Southwell (2m, Tapeta) in November; some creditable efforts since but his form nosedived at Southwell 11 days ago and he needs to bounce back from that heavy defeat.

12/1

4th

5

(1)

3rd Feb 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sir Joseph Swan

8st 13lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Ended long losing run when scoring off 1lb lower at Southwell (2m, Tapeta) in November; some creditable efforts since but his form nosedived at Southwell 11 days ago and he needs to bounce back from that heavy defeat.

12/1

5th

8

(6)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Sir Joseph Swan

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Infrequent winner but he's consistent in the main; however, he was behind Further Measure two runs back and was never that threatening at Wolverhampton last weekend.

10/1

Form: 900-42 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
All three wins over 1m4f on Tapeta, including one here; losing run up to 20, but she came within a head of ending the drought at Newcastle (2m Tapeta) eight days ago; back up 1lb but still one for the shortlist if building on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(8)

2nd Apr 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Typewritten

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ewan Whillans

dwelt start, in rear

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5374-6 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
2-15 around here with both wins coming over 1m6f; 1lb lower than for the latest of those in September, but he attempts this far for the first time on the Flat; frame possibilities if he stays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

17th Feb 2026

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Smoke

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

Three of his five wins have come over C&D, including a division of this race last year when rated 5lb higher; not shone yet this winter and he arrives with a bit to prove.

14/1

6th

4

(2)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Smoke

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Mark Loughnane

Three-time course winner (1m6f) but he's been out of sorts in his last five runs and latest was at this track three weeks ago; has something to prove and his tactical speed will be tested back at this trip.

20/1

11

(9)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:08 Bath

Black Smoke

8st 6lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Mark Loughnane

Kept on well to score off this mark at Chepstow (2m, good to firm) in July and also has a soft-ground success on his record but both runs last month were below par and conditions are probably not ideal for him today.

16/1

12/1

Form: 66747-

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
All four wins have all come on Polytrack, but she wasn't given much chance to prove herself on her Tapeta debut when seventh of 11 over C&D last month; has only managed to win one of her last 33 starts, though, so others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Anisoptera

9st 7lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Brett Johnson

slowly away, towards rear

12/1

8th

4

(3)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Anisoptera

9st 7lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Brett Johnson

slowly away, towards rear

12/1

9/1

Form: 6244-5

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Dual Southwelll winner (1m4f, Tapeta) who has dropped 4lb lower than when winning at Bath (11.6f, good) last May; has mainly run with credit since (especially on the AW) but his stamina for this far remains unproven; change of headgear this evening.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(4)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Bond Spirit

9st 0lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Louise Allan

Modest sixth in similar event over C&D on reappearance, extending his losing run, but may fare better with the outing under his belt; scored twice at Southwell in 2023.

16/1

7

(6)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Bond Spirit

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Louise Allan

Beaten just under 7l when fourth of eight in Bath handicap over an extended 1m3f seven weeks ago, extending his losing run to 17; others are more persuasive.

16/1

9

(11)

3rd Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Bond Spirit

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Louise Allan

Last won over C&D last May; first-time blinkers (retained) replaced visor for his last two starts and he responded with a creditable third in a classified at Yarmouth (11.5f, good to soft) on first occasion; tailed off on latest, however, which was a poor show notwithstanding the 1m2f.

25/1

33/1

Form: 0696-5

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
0-11 and hasn't built on early promise for other yards; down another 2lb but makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(8)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Rogue Raider

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

towards rear

33/1

10th

11

(8)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Raider

8st 12lb

J: Raul Da Silva

T: Clare Hobson

disputed lead, headed and prominent after 3f

33/1

10th

11

(8)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Raider

8st 12lb

J: Raul Da Silva

T: Clare Hobson

disputed lead, headed and prominent after 3f

33/1

33/1

Form: 58034- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come over similar trips on Tapeta, though the latest was at the start of 2022; running creditably when last seen but something to prove back from another six months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(3)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Freewheelin

9st 11lb

J: Miss Venetia Thompson

T: John Norton

A lot of years since his trainer saddled a Flat winner and he'll do very well to end the run, back from almost a year off and from 6lb out of the handicap under Venetia Thompson (0-7 under both codes currently).

100/1

7th

8

(3)

26th Jun 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

17:45 Hamilton

Freewheelin

9st 11lb

J: Miss Lauren Sanders

T: John Norton

Both wins on AW, the latest over three years ago; well held on AW at Southwell when last seen and not hard to look elsewhere.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.90
Straight Forecast £10.23
Tricast £113.13
Trifecta £139.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Payment Plan

The Guardian:

Alex The Great

POSTDATA:

Lumberjack

Daily Record:

Typewritten

Daily Mirror:

Sir Joseph Swan

RP RATINGS:

Payment Plan

NEWMARKET:

Payment Plan

The Times:

Payment Plan

Telegraph:

Payment Plan

D Express:

Payment Plan

The Sun:

Payment Plan

The Star:

Alex The Great

Daily Mail:

Lumberjack