January 16 / 19.00 Wolverhampton (AW)

19.00

Standard

BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 1m 0f 142y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Rain and snow

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £34.00
  • Place: £4.90

Form: 61725- BF

Last run: 91 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Record of 4-18 for Charlie Johnston and was second at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) on his penultimate run for that yard; returns after three months off but he's still lightly raced on AW and needs watching in market on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Ascot

Paladin

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Caused a 33-1 surprise when winning on his stable debut in January (8.5f, AW) but after a four-month break he couldn't repeat that level returned to turf when 18th of 22 at York (7f, good) seven weeks ago; tough to predict what can be expected this time.

12/1

18th

3

(5)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Paladin

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Free-going sort who was 4-18 for Charlie Johnston, including two 1m wins last summer, and made a winning start for new connections when 33-1 for a nine-runner race at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in January; absent since and has more to prove back at 7f for the first time since 2024.

20/1

1st

6

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Paladin

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Record of 4-18 for Charlie Johnston and was second at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) on his penultimate run for that yard; returns after three months off but he's still lightly raced on AW and needs watching in market on stable debut.

12/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 62372- CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Six-time AW winner who bounced back with a close call at Lingfield (1m) on New Year's Eve; this is a deeper race but he's on same mark as last time and he has won over C&D in the past; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Hitched

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Won twice on turf in the summer of 2023 but better known for his AW exploits since; well beaten at Lingfield (1m1f, good to firm) on last month's return to grass; others are safer.

20/1

6th

6

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:42 Lingfield

Hitched

9st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: David Simcock

A regular on the AW here (three wins) who's much higher in the weights than when last seen frequently on turf; generally consistent but whether he's up to this mark on grass is the leading question, and Quamby looks his trainer's best chance.

25/1

13th

14

(14)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Hitched

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Simcock

Four-time winner over 1m/1m2f here and just 1lb higher than when beating a dual subsequent winner at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) in January, but he has the outside stall and will require some luck given his come-from-behind style.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 0578-7

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Group 3/Listed winner for the Gosdens as a 3yo, but a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since; has dropped a long way in the weights but he's not lived up to market expectations in his last three runs; blinkers now return but he needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Epsom

Epictetus

10st 8lb

J: Miss Megan Jordan

T: Jamie Osborne

1m2f Listed winner here in 2023 but well beaten on his only visit since; no win since a Group 3 in August 2023 but placed in AW/turf handicaps (1m-1m4f) this spring and continues down the weights; needs much better than he produced on last two outings.

5/1

5th

1

(9)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Sandown

Epictetus

10st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Ran poorly last time; generally consistent otherwise this year, over a variety of trips, and may rebound; however, hasn't won for nearly three years and concedes weight all round in this field.

10/1

17th

2

(7)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Epictetus

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

In the frame in eight of his nine starts this year, last time finishing third over 1m1f at Lingfield (good to firm); each-way chance.

12/1

7/4

Form: 33761- CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who made it 2-5 on AW when scoring over C&D on his stable debut last month; up 7lb but he resumed his progress with that clearcut win and he still looks feasibly treated; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(1)

10th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:50 Yarmouth

Advancing

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

All three of his wins have been on the AW, the most recent at Kempton (1m) in March off 4lb lower; never a threat when sixth at Windsor (1m, good to firm) 16 days ago and he was well beaten on soft ground last year.

11/1

6th

4

(6)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

17:00 Windsor

Advancing

9st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Has posted two duck eggs since most recent AW success and latest effort took his turf form figures to 370; not particularly solid kept to this sphere and others are preferred.

14/1

11th

4

(7)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Advancing

9st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Mostly in good form on the AW during the winter, winning at Wolverhampton (8.6f) and Kempton (1m); however, he was below par back at Wolverhampton six weeks ago and has something to prove on a rare encounter with turf.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 06364-

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
All of his five AW wins have come at Kempton (1m) and he's now 6lb lower than the most recent of those; still unexposed on Tapeta but he hasn't really fired in last two starts and latest was at this track three weeks ago; others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(10)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:12 Newcastle (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

Added to his excellent Kempton record with wins over 1m3f and 1m4f this year; another cracking effort there when chasing home the progressive Gamrai over 1m3f in March; probably worth ignoring a recent run on turf but his peak AW form (including all wins) has been achieved on Polytrack.

16/1

13th

9

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

Fine from 1m to 1m4f; has won on turf but the AW looks more his scene and especially Kempton where he beat all bar a handicap snip the last time; back on grass others look safer.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he swooped late on to score over 1m3f in January and led 1f out when asserting in tidy style over 1m4f early this month, both at this track; back up another 5lb and he's a 7yo, but peak form (October 2024) was a little better still and he's now 7-12 at Kempton; on the shortlist.

15/2

20/1

Form: 90610-

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Recorded his 11th AW win when scoring at Newcastle (1m) in October but that was a narrow success in a seller and he struggled on stable debut over C&D (33-1) last month; headgear now returns but he was up and down last year and others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(12)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 4lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

11-time AW winner; quiet for Chelsea Banham this year but dropping down the weights and he is one of four runners on the card for connections that all require close market surveillance.

9/1

9th

13

(1)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 2lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

11-time AW winner but he's been out of sorts for new yard since December and was last of eight over C&D last time; mark is tumbling but he has lots to prove and needs a major revival.

66/1

8th

6

(8)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Kempton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 4lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

All 11 wins on the AW, including one over C&D, though his latest success for the Moores was in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta) in October; out of the frame in all four starts for this yard since then and may be best watched despite his declining mark.

12/1

14/1

Form: /1467-

Last run: 132 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Promising reappearance when winning a Windsor maiden (1m, good to firm) in April but he's not made an impact in three handicaps since; still lightly raced but he needs improvement back on AW after another break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:27 Newbury

Sea Founder

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Hoodless

T: Richard Hughes

Two wins this year came on the AW, but his sole turf win came over this trip on good to firm ground; may be best to forgive his latest Chester performance and a possible if back on song.

10/1

9th

10

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:23 Chester

Sea Founder

8st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Richard Hughes

Windsor maiden winner on turf last April but he's been confined to AW for all six starts this year; gets a 3lb nudge for his win at Kempton (1m) last time; 1m2f no issue but this is a notch above the standard he usually plies his trade in.

7/1

1st

2

(7)

30th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Sea Founder

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Richard Hughes

Versatile and in-form 4yo; opened his AW account in Lingfield contest (1m2f) in February; sound efforts at Kempton (1m) and Lingfield (1m4f; Good Friday card) since, finishing fourth both times; solid claims back down in distance.

4/1

9/1

Form: 0441-8 CD BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner with first four on turf and last four on Tapeta; his last success was by 3l here (9.4f) last month but he flopped when favourite over C&D ten days ago; a switch to more prominent tactics may have backfired in that race but he needs to bounce back after that disappointing effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(7)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Greyed

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Eight-time winner with first four on turf and latest four on Tapeta; his last success was by 3l here (9.4f) in December but he's been disappointing in both subsequent runs and needs to bounce back near his best.

14/1

8th

10

(4)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Greyed

8st 9lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

Eight-time winner with first four on turf and last four on Tapeta; his last success was by 3l here (9.4f) last month but he flopped when favourite over C&D ten days ago; a switch to more prominent tactics may have backfired in that race but he needs to bounce back after that disappointing effort.

9/1

2

(8)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:55 Ffos Las

First Greyed

11st 9lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Thomas Faulkner

In excellent form in refitted visor on Tapata when last seen in spring, winning three in a row (1m-8.6f); has fitness and stamina to prove today but the return to turf on the slow side of good won't be a problem.

11/2

12/1

Form: 58916- CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a reduced mark when scoring over C&D (first-time visor) last month but he failed to back that up on his return visit 12 days later; remains well handicapped on old form but he's not easy to predict and others are more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(7)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

15:33 Redcar

Rajapour

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

It's now 13 starts since his last success but he comes here in good form, challenging wide when fourth of nine in 1m handicap at Pontefract 12 days ago; weighted to go well eased 1lb.

4/1

4th

3

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

Rajapour

9st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has made the frame a few times this year including off higher marks, but is just 1-24 since joining this yard; others more compelling.

10/1

9th

14

(17)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Rajapour

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Sole win since joining this yard came in a first-time visor at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) in December and he's ran some good races since the cheekpieces went on; didn't get the best of passages at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) nine days ago and can be treated as if still in form; up in grade but could go well.

14/1

Non-runners

Mr Baloo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £287.80
Straight Forecast £309.38
Tricast £2512.16
Trifecta £1461.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Advancing

RP RATINGS:

Whitcombe Rockstar

Telegraph:

Sea Founder

POSTDATA:

Hitched

TOPSPEED:

First Greyed

NEWMARKET:

Advancing

The Times:

Advancing

The Guardian:

Advancing

Daily Mail:

Advancing

Daily Mirror:

Advancing

The Sun:

Advancing

The Star:

Advancing

Daily Record:

Advancing

D Express:

Whitcombe Rockstar