19:30 Wolverhampton

Monday 6 January 2025

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

BetUK: It's Where The UK Bets Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 1.15s

(1)

Thismydream^v¹⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Paddy Bradley| T: M J Attwater| OR: 61| CD

12/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Bath in August. 15/2, bit below form fifth of 11 in handicap at Chelmsford (5f) in September. Off 109 days.

Form: 431725-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(6)

Basholo¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 60| CD

11/1

Four-time C&D winner, the latest in December. 28/1, seventh of 11 over C&D 16 days ago but respected back in this lower grade.

Form: 173317-

(10)

Alafdhal^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Grace McEntee| T: P S McEntee| OR: 60| C| D

12/1

Course winner. Three wins from 26 runs last year. Sixteen runs since last win in 2024. Ninth of 12 in handicap at this course (6f) 21 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 332639-

(2)

So Obsessed²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M Botti| OR: 60| CD

11/1

C&D winner. Four wins from 13 runs last year. Latest win at Windsor in June. 25/1, seventh of 10 in handicap over C&D 23 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 211487-

(8)

Maharajas Express^p⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 58| CD

5/2

C&D winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2024. Respectable fourth of 9 in handicap at Bath (5.7f, heavy, 9/1) 77 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Patrick Morris. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 005464-

(4)

Soldiers Design^t1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 57| D

18/1

Last of 12 in handicap at this course (6f, 50/1) 21 days ago. Tongue strap on for first time.

Form: 176400-

(7)

Apache Star^b1¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Edward Greatrex| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 57| C

10/1

Course winner. Fourteen runs since last win in 2023. Second at Bath in October and possibly needed first run since when sixth of 12 over 6f here 10 days ago. Blinkers on first time. One of the more likely types.

Form: 546526-

(9)

Sir Benedict¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 56| D

28/1

Three wins between March and June last year, including on tapeta. Not seen since ninth of 13 at Thirsk at the end of a June so got to be a chance he'll need this.

Form: 158719-

(5)

Gustav Graves⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Joanna Mason| T: D Shaw| OR: 55| CD

2/1

Four-time C&D winner, including this race last year. Hinted at a revival from a falling mark when fifth of 7 at Newcastle (5f) last week. Big player if he can build on that.

Form: 35889-5

(3)

Himawari^t1¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: G Harris| OR: 54

125/1

200/1, last of 12 in handicap at this course (6f) 10 days ago. Tongue strap on first time.

Form: 474080-

(11)

Buraback⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: D Shaw| OR: 51| C| D

20/1

Course winner. Four wins from 20 runs last year. 13/2, seventh of 12 in handicap at Southwell (6f) 9 days ago.

Form: 950687-

Forecasts

Gustav Graves (2/1), Maharajas Express (5/2), Apache Star (10/1), So Obsessed (11/1), Basholo (11/1), Thismydream (12/1), Alafdhal (12/1), Soldiers Design (18/1), Buraback (20/1), Sir Benedict (28/1), Himawari (125/1)

Last year's winner GUSTRAV GRAVES showed better signs at Newcastle last Thursday and is given a chance to build on that as he's dipped to 14 lb below the mark he defied at Newcastle last March. Basholo knows where the winning post is here and is second choice ahead of Apache Star, who might have just needed it back from a short break here over Christmas.