Today / 16.42 Wolverhampton (AW)

16.42

Standard

Book Hotel & Conferencing At Wolverhampton Racecourse Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 0m 7f 36y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Book Hotel & Conferencing At Wolverhampton Racecourse Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

Form: 894620 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Ought to have coped much better with the good to soft turf when down the field at Ayr (6f) three weeks ago but ran on well for second behind a next-time-out winner over C&D on stable debut in July and has good claims if judged on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Ayr

Velvet Skies

9st 12lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Gary Harrison

On a losing run but he made a good start for new yard (formerly with Stephen Hanlon) with second of 12 in 7f Wolverhampton handicap 11 days ago; up 2lb but not taken lightly.

7/2

2nd

3

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:07 Wolverhampton (AW)

Velvet Skies

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Gary Harrison

Three-time winner in Ireland (7f/6f; AW/turf); 0-5 for Stephen Hanlon this year and he was well held at Hamilton (8.5f) 76 days ago; off since and now starts out for another new stable.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: -31803 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Dual 8.6f course winner during the winter and left low-key reappearance run behind when placed over that trip here in July; current mark ought to be workable but he needs to prove himself over 7f and is only Jude Maher's second ride under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

(8)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

R P McMurphy

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Has failed to beat a rival in his last two starts here, the latest on his return from 144 days off this month; however, he was in fine form on the AW in midwinter prior to those below-par efforts, winning twice over C&D; may be worth chancing and market support would be interesting.

9/1

12th

10

(4)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

R P McMurphy

9st 0lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Michael Appleby

Both wins this winter came over C&D but in Class 6 company; a career best will be required to take this back from a 144-day break.

12/1

Form: 052659 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Runner-up off today's mark on stable debut at Ripon (6f, good) in June but subsequent 6f/7f form has been underwhelming, albeit he was denied a clear run last time; wore cheekpieces for last two races; visor given a whirl today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(9)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

Federal Envoy

9st 9lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Charlie Clover

All three wins have been here but over 7f and for different yards; however, close up on stable debut over 6f at Ripon and last run wasn't too bad as he was never in the right place at Lingfield; don't put a line through him.

8/1

5th

4

(7)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:48 Lingfield (AW)

Federal Envoy

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Charlie Clover

Second of seven on stable debut at Ripon (6f, good) in June but failed to back it up at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm); returning to 6f may help but all three AW wins have come at Southwell.

5/1

Form: 071868 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D in January and was also on target at Nottingham (6f, good) in June but was always behind at Lingfield (6f, AW) a fortnight ago and is far too inconsistent to rely upon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(8)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:22 Lingfield (AW)

Court Of Session

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Phil McEntee

Course winner at 1m; a good spell in the New Year included a 7f win on Wolverhampton AW and he was back on song when winning over 6f at Nottingham in June; soft ground perhaps not helpful on next two starts but he has a bit to prove on his first C&D run.

7/1

Form: 90-983

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Bettered underwhelming stable debut when rallying third in maiden handicap at Carlisle (nearly 7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; recent 3lb drop is helpful and this return to Tapeta should suit; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(9)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

15:13 Carlisle

Renewable Dream

9st 11lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Well treated on his best form for Seb Spencer but he's been out of sorts in his last four runs including when last of eight on stable debut at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month; overall record is now 0-10 and he needs a major revival.

12/1

8th

4

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

19:15 Doncaster

Renewable Dream

9st 7lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Nine-race maiden; showed some promise for Seb Spencer but well beaten on last three starts; makes stable debut after a 173-day break.

16/1

Form: 733212 C BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Won 8.6f classified here in July and was second in that grade under a penalty at Lingfield (1m) a few days later; evidently in good nick but has a bit more on his plate in this handicap and is not sure to be suited by the drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

19:40 Lingfield (AW)

Nutcracker

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Went close at Wolverhampton (8.6f) and Chepstow (1m) before getting off the mark (13th attempt) in a classified event at Wolverhampton last Tuesday; pulled 5l clear with his main market rival in that race and he hit a personal best with that brave success; key player.

13/8

1st

4

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Nutcracker

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

0-12 but he hit the frame twice in similar races over C&D in March; better form when beaten a neck into second at Chepstow (1m, soft) last month; set to go well once again.

7/4

Form: 349175 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Came good in C&D classified in June, his 12th start, and didn't appear to have the race run to suit when keeping on from the rear for fifth in C&D handicap in July; remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(9)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mythical Isle

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Got off the mark when winning a C&D classified event last month and looked unfortunate not to finish closer when seventh in a handicap here over 8.6f 24 days ago; makes appeal.

14/1

7th

3

(7)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mythical Isle

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Patrick Morris

Got off the mark in a classified here (7f) last month; has more on his plate back in a handicap and up in trip.

11/2

Form: 154636 C

Last run: 56 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Won 7f Lingfield classified in February and was placed in that grade two starts ago but she's fully exposed and, on balance, others in this line-up look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(11)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mintana

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: James Evans

C&D winner; landed a 0-50 classified event at Lingfield in February and she ran her best race since when third over 7f here five weeks ago; more appealing than many in a weak race.

9/2

3rd

3

(5)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mintana

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: James Evans

Landed 7f classified event at Lingfield in February and not disgraced in handicaps since, sixth of ten there (6f) last time; merits serious consideration back in classified company here.

3/1

Form: 80-053

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
0-11 but gave it a good shot from the front when third at Carlisle (nearly 7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, after a seven-month break, and has possibilities here if that run brought her on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(6)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

15:48 Carlisle

Our Nicola

8st 12lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Modest maiden who wasn't at her best on AW over the winter; back from a break with cheekpieces left off.

16/1

8th

9

(4)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Our Nicola

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: David & Nicola Barron

0-6 but ran her best race to date when third of eight at Musselburgh (7f, good) two weeks ago, leading but keeping on well; has place claims once again.

8/1

Betting Forcast

11/2 Velvet Skies, 4/1 R P McMurphy, 5/1 Federal Envoy, 16/1 Court Of Session, 7/1 Renewable Dream, 3/1 Nutcracker, 8/1 Mythical Isle, 16/1 Mintana, 12/1 Our Nicola

Verdict

This is a tricky puzzle to solve but it might pay to give another chance to VELVET SKIES, who was never seriously involved in a turf sprint three weeks ago but was a creditable second over C&D on his stable debut in late July. Mythical Isle (second choice) is not yet fully exposed over 7f and would probably have preferred a stronger pace to aim at when fifth here on his latest outing. Renewable Dream and Our Nicola, placed in different divisions of a Carlisle maiden handicap a fortnight ago, are others to consider.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

Telegraph:

Nutcracker

RP RATINGS:

Federal Envoy

POSTDATA:

R P McMurphy

SPOTLIGHT:

Velvet Skies

D Express:

Mythical Isle

NEWMARKET:

Court Of Session

The Times:

R P McMurphy

Daily Mail:

Nutcracker

The Star:

Nutcracker

Daily Record:

Nutcracker

The Guardian:

Federal Envoy

The Sun:

Federal Envoy

Daily Mirror:

Velvet Skies