Today / 17.45 Wolverhampton (AW)

17.45

Standard

Race And Rest – Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Maiden Handicap

  • Prize money: £3977.84
  • 1m 0f 142y
  • Class 5
  • 6 runners
SKY
View Course
Race And Rest – Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Maiden Handicap

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

Form: 523-53

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Has been placed three times and ran his best race when third of seven at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last month; yard is going well and he steps up in trip back on AW; should run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:58 Newbury

Media Legend

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

No significant improvement for the switch to a handicap here (1m, good) in May but that was his first run after a break and he showed clear promise as a 2yo; still has time to deliver something more potent.

9/1

5th

11

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Newbury

Media Legend

8st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

Showed ability over 7f on AW last year, notably when close second (in front of Euston Hall) at Kempton; gelded since last run; may be capable of progress now handicapping in a new scenario; one to consider.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -34420

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
0-19 but has been placed ten times; returns from a break and is down to a career-low mark; hood worn on recent starts is left off; more exposed than the opposition and vulnerable to an improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-18 but has shown ability as when second of nine at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) ten days ago; return to this trip not a problem and he holds each-way claims again.

7/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

0-17 but he got right back on track when fourth of 11 in 1m Southwell handicap nine days ago, doing best of those held up off a steady pace; he's effective at this longer trip and is one for the shortlist.

6/1

Form: 222705

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 53-364

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-5 but was beaten less than 1l when fourth of seven at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) in July; should make his presence felt in this easier contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(7)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:02 Newbury

Norman Invasion

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Fair form shown when twice placed over 1m; hood refitted when a respectable sixth of eight on his handicap debut at Chester (7.5f) last month; this son of Lope De Vega needs this step up in trip to spark improvement.

10/1

6th

6

(3)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:12 Chester

Norman Invasion

9st 4lb

J: George Downing

T: Ed Walker

Son of Lope De Vega who has shaped with promise on all his three runs, proving more settled (gelded over winter) on his recent return when third of ten in 1m maiden at Redcar; has more to offer now stepping into handicap company in a refitted hood; interesting.

13/2

Form: 3-3234

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame on all six starts; did well to finish fourth of five on her handicap debut at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last month, despite pulling hard; can do better if she settles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Hamdas Joy

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Tom Clover

0-5 but she's never been out of the first three and went fairly close when third of 12 in Southwell novice (7f, AW) six weeks ago; shaped that day like the step up to this trip will suit; makes her turf and handicap debut.

9/2

3rd

4

(4)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:40 Southwell (AW)

Hamdas Joy

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Tom Clover

Remains a maiden after four starts but she was third over 6f on her first three outings (including on Tapeta) before an improved showing when second at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) last time; leading claims.

11/4

Form: 356466

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; came off worse from a bout of scrimmaging inside the final furlong last time at Pontefract (1m, good to firm); has been dropped 2lb on this return to AW, sports a first-time tongue-tie and has the assistance of Billy Loughnane for the first time; has to be of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

26th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:30 Pontefract

Master Of Entropy

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Six-race maiden who's failed to make a serious impact in his three handicaps (7.6f, 6f and 7f); dropped 5lb in the process and returns to 1m but others are more persuasive.

8/1

6th

1

(4)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

Master Of Entropy

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Maiden; promise in maiden/novice company and fair fourth of five at Nottingham on second handicap start last time (6f, good to firm); should improve back at 7f; wouldn't rule out.

8/1

Betting Forcast

7/4 Media Legend, 13/2 Forest Caper, 6/1 Showcasing Star, 7/2 Norman Invasion, 11/2 Hamdas Joy, 6/1 Master Of Entropy

Verdict

None of these can be dismissed but MASTER OF ENTROPY, with Billy Loughnane on board for the first time, is worth another chance after suffering in a bout of scrimmaging when still in contention at Pontefract in July. Media Legend is second best after running his best race when third at Newbury last time. This also looks an easier assignment for Norman Invasion and he should not be far away, while Hamda’s Joy would do better if she settles. [Andrew Bladen]

Selections

The Times:

Media Legend

RP RATINGS:

Norman Invasion

Daily Mirror:

Forest Caper

POSTDATA:

Showcasing Star

SPOTLIGHT:

Master Of Entropy

NEWMARKET:

Hamda's Joy

The Guardian:

Media Legend

D Express:

Media Legend

Daily Record:

Media Legend

Telegraph:

Norman Invasion

Daily Mail:

Norman Invasion

The Star:

Norman Invasion

The Sun:

Forest Caper