October 04 / 19.00 Wolverhampton (AW)

19.00

Standard

Franklin Hodge Handicap

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 1m 4f 51y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Franklin Hodge Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 572445

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
0-9, but 2lb lower than when second of ten over C&D in March and probably needed his return from four months off back here a fortnight ago; frame material.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(12)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:18 Lingfield (AW)

Top Of Pleinmont

9st 7lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Made it tenth-time lucky at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in October, but held in two starts at Southwell (1m6f/1m3f) since; 1lb drop not enough to tempt.

12/1

6th

5

(2)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Top Of Pleinmont

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Got off the mark at the tenth attempt when staying on strongly to beat eight rivals at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) four weeks ago; up 4lb but he still looks feasibly treated on that latest form and is open to progress at this new trip; big player.

2/1

6th

5

(2)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Top Of Pleinmont

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Got off the mark at the tenth attempt when staying on strongly to beat eight rivals at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) four weeks ago; up 4lb but he still looks feasibly treated on that latest form and is open to progress at this new trip; big player.

2/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 599233 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Often a front-runner; not the most prolific (3-41) but his wins have all come here, including in a 0-50 classified event over C&D in March; has been running with credit in defeat lately; thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

18:00 Pontefract

Prince Hector

9st 9lb

J: Roisin Leech

T: Jessica Bedi

Twice second (over 1m2f) in classified company at Chelmsford over the winter but his more recent form is not so encouraging, sixth of 13 in 1m2f classified event at Newcastle last time; on a long losing run too.

14/1

6th

8

(9)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Prince Hector

9st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jessica Bedi

On a long losing run but he wasn't disgraced with sixth of 12 in 1m2f Redcar handicap eight days ago; no forlorn hope.

20/1

6th

11

(11)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Prince Hector

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jessica Bedi

14-race maiden on turf; tailed off on return to grass at Catterick last time (1m4f, good; cheekpieces; lost a shoe); has blinkers back on but hard to fancy.

20/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 032134

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Made all at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to soft) in July and a close third of 12 at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) the following month; disappointing favourite at Musselburgh (12.5f, good) last time which gives him something to prove; tongue-tie given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

20:00 Leicester

Naughty Niall

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ian Williams

Three-time winner, the most recent coming at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in November; runner-up there over 9.5f in April but he was well beaten at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

10th

5

(16)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Naughty Niall

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Good run of turf form last summer included when making all at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to soft; acts on quicker) in July; mostly creditable efforts on AW since winning at Wolverhampton (1m4f) in November and he's far from ruled out back on grass despite tricky stall.

13/2

6th

1

(1)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Naughty Niall

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ian Williams

Can be relied upon to give his true running around here, as was the case last week when passed late on by Port Noir; solid chance.

4/1

20/1

Form: 075394

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Modest form in seven starts, the latest when a well-beaten fourth of eight at Catterick (1m6f, good; first start since wind surgery) in August; needs plenty more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(4)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Havachoc

10st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

Consistent; won three on the bounce on AW over 1m4f in January/February; fair second at Beverley on Friday; stays 1m6f; each-way chance.

6/1

2nd

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

18:00 Beverley

Havachoc

9st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Did well on AW earlier in the year and he ran well back on turf when third of 12 over C&D (good to soft) in April; latest Chester run easy to excuse (Class 4) and this is far more suitable; respected, for all there is a slight question mark surrounding fast ground.

5/1

6th

12

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:12 Chester

Havachoc

8st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Patrick Morris

Completed a hat-trick of 1m4f AW wins in January/February; has continued to run well since and he sported first-time cheekpieces when just held over that C&D 11 days ago; 2lb 'wrong' but acts on turf and likely to go well again.

10/1

9/2

Form: 275732 CD

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Modest strike-rate under rules (4-56), albeit his three Flat wins have all come here (1m4f/1m6f); has run well in his last two starts at Bath (11.6f) and could go well again on return from a short break; cheekpieces return for the first time in over two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

15:50 Bath

Virtual Hug

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Nikki Evans

Belatedly opened his Flat turf account over C&D (good) last month; respectable third to Basilette here on firm since; course record reads 423213 so expect him to be in the shake-up.

7/1

3rd

2

(5)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

19:12 Bath

Virtual Hug

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Nikki Evans

Belatedly opened his Flat turf account in similar event over C&D (good) last week, taking Bath record to 42321 and adding to his AW/hurdles wins; incurs 4lb penalty but defied this mark a couple of years ago; very solid chance.

11/4

Form: 787350

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Offered promise on his second start for the yard when third of nine at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) in June, but not built on it in two starts since and now 0-25 under rules; look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(9)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:22 Lingfield (AW)

Warrior Lion

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jennie Candlish

29-race maiden who has struggled back over hurdles in his last two runs; finished second in a classified event at Wolverhampton (1m4f) in January but was beaten 6l and that took his AW record to 0-12; down the list.

7/1

8th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:38 Sedgefield

Warrior Lion

10st 8lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Runner-up in basement-grade AW race in January but pulled up over C&D (good to soft) when back over hurdles last month and now 0-28 overall; stable has much more obvious chance with Captain Cool.

25/1

8

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:42 Sedgefield

Warrior Lion

11st 0lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Runner-up on AW last month and now has first hurdle start for current yard; however, that recent Flat form is very modest, he's achieved little in this code, and he's yet to win after 27 attempts (seven over hurdles).

15/2

Form: 349945

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Ran with credit in her first couple of starts over 7f after returning from six months off in April, but has proved disappointing since and now 0-10; takes a big step up in trip and nothing in her pedigree suggests she will improve for it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(9)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

20:10 Lingfield (AW)

Freedom Bay

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Zoe Hawkins

Off the mark at the 13th attempt when landing a Bath handicap (1m, good) last month; that was a surprise at 33-1 but she responded well to new equipment and hit a personal best with that comfortable success; big player again if she can back that up.

7/2

1st

9

(9)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:37 Bath

Freedom Bay

8st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Zoe Hawkins

0-12 and she was out of form last autumn; another heavy defeat followed on her seasonal return eight weeks ago (first run after wind surgery); now sports a tongue-tie and cheekpieces; not a solid option.

25/1

10th

10

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:15 Nottingham

Freedom Bay

9st 0lb

J: William Carver

T: Zoe Hawkins

11-race maiden who was beaten 10l or more in her final three runs for Stuart Kittow last season; had wind surgery but she needs a major revival on return for new trainer.

20/1

14/1

Form: 548378

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
One of her best efforts when third of eight over C&D (first-time cheekpieces) in May, but twice held since and now 0-13 under rules; others more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

26th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Damzon

9st 3lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Gained a breakthrough success for her current yard over 1m5f here in January and not disgraced both runs since, third of nine in 1m6f Southwell handicap 19 days ago; she ought to be thereabouts again eased 1lb.

7/2

3rd

2

(2)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Damzon

9st 9lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Made the breakthrough on her 19th start under rules at Chelmsford (13.5f) last month when scoring by 7l; unable to match that when fourth in a classified at Wolverhampton (1m4f) eight days later but remains in form and not out of this.

8/1

4th

1

(6)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Damzon

9st 13lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

No win in her first 18 starts but she made the breakthrough when storming 7l clear in a Chelmsford handicap (1m5f) last week; now drops back to 1m4f but she hit a personal best with that success and is a major player again on this switch to a classified event.

15/8

7/2

Form: 7-7534

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
0-8 but ran well to make the frame on Polytrack at Lingfield (1m2f) and Kempton (1m3f; first-time blinkers) last month; pedigree suggests this stiffer test should suit and he's respected on Tapeta debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

(8)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Northern Blaze

9st 0lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Tom Ward

0-10, but twice ran well to make the frame on Polytrack (1m2f/1m3f) in September and met trouble when seventh of 13 over C&D ten days ago; not dismissed.

10/1

7th

12

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Northern Blaze

9st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Tom Ward

Soundly beaten upped to 1m4f (wide trip) last time so drop back in trip will likely suit and he has each-way claims in an open event.

12/1

Form: 435253

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but in the frame in six of her ten starts including when a close third of ten at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) 11 days ago; has run well over similar trips to this and is one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(10)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Three On Thursday

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Tony Carroll

1-18; beaten favourite her last four starts, but is holding form (3523), going under by less than a length to Virtual Hug over 1m4f here (same mark) five weeks ago; fine over this shorter trip, and has a capable claimer back aboard.

5/1

3rd

2

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Three On Thursday

9st 8lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Opened account with clearcut success at Lingfield (1m2f) in December and has remained in good form since; may not have had enough use made of her when dropped back to 8.6f here a fortnight ago but still ran well; also suited by 1m4f; leading contender.

13/8

2nd

6

(5)

16th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Three On Thursday

8st 12lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Tony Carroll

Only 1-16 but she's a versatile and consistent filly who is effective at 1m-1m4f; drops back in trip, having taken a good hold the last twice; possibilities with Harry Vigors taking off a useful 7lb.

100/30

Non-runners

Rose Light, Praying For Time

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.40
Straight Forecast £65.75
Tricast £589.81
Trifecta £555.10

Selections

POSTDATA:

Three On Thursday

SPOTLIGHT:

Northern Blaze

RP RATINGS:

Virtual Hug

D Express:

Top Of Pleinmont

Daily Mirror:

Naughty Niall

Daily Mail:

Prince Hector

Telegraph:

Three On Thursday

The Star:

Three On Thursday

The Times:

Northern Blaze

The Guardian:

Northern Blaze

The Sun:

Virtual Hug

Daily Record:

Virtual Hug