19:50 Wolverhampton

Saturday 4 January 2025

All16:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Win 1M With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 1m 47.24s

(7)

Noble Order¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S M Levey| T: A Watson| OR: 87

17/2

Successful start for current yard at Newcastle last year but not in same form since, racing freely after 7 months off when tenth of 12 in handicap at Kempton (8f, 6/1) 17 days ago. Drop back in grade could help at least.

Form: 13/1080-

(6)

Diamondonthehill²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Ross Coakley| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 85

66/1

Form went the wrong way last year. Had excuses on first run since leaving Michael Dods when last of 14 in handicap (33/1) at Southwell (7.1f) 3 weeks ago, stumbling badly start, but others still more persuasive.

Form: 278050-

(2)

Cynosure⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

5/2

Successful at Lingfield on first start in 2024 and, after 7 months off, left behind a lesser effort when second of 11 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 7/1) 44 days ago. Can resume winning ways with more still to offer.

Form: 432/172-

(1)

Vibrato⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 79| C

5/1

Course winner who made it 3 wins from his last 4 starts when successful in 10-runner handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 11/2) 6 days ago, digging deep. Carries penalty but can make another bold bid in his current form.

Form: 321161-

(4)

Smart Hero^h³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: J Tate| OR: 83| BF

5/2

Hasn't kicked on from his win at Southwell in August, though in first-time hood he needed a stronger gallop when fifth of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW, 15/8) 31 days ago. Needs everything to drop right upped in trip.

Form: 421495-

(8)

Urban Sprawl^p⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: C Johnston| OR: 80

11/2

Capitalised on a reduced mark when scoring at Pontefract in October. Ran to similar level when fifth of 11 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 15/2) 75 days ago and he can give another good account.

Form: 696215-

(3)

Island Bandit^b⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jack Doughty⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 76

17/2

Best effort last year when runner-up at this C&D in October and backed that up when fifth of 9 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW, 7/1) 46 days ago. On a workable mark as he drops back down in trip.

Form: 747025-

Non-Runners

(5)

Gordon Grey¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: B Brookhouse J: Callum Shepherd

Forecasts

Smart Hero (5/2), Cynosure (5/2), Vibrato (5/1), Urban Sprawl (11/2), Island Bandit (17/2), Noble Order (17/2), Gordon Grey (20/1), Diamondonthehill (66/1)

Making only his second handicap start, CYNOSURE resumed his progress when bumping into a well-treated rival at Southwell in November and he can build on that to double his tally. Vibrato arrives in good form and is respected under a penalty, while Urban Sprawl could also be thereabouts.