19:00 Wolverhampton

Saturday 4 October 2025

All16:2016:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Franklin Hodge Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 2m 40.67s

(1)

Naughty Niall^t1³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 53

10/1

Won at Yarmouth in July then third at Leicester, but finished fourth of 5 in 12f handicap at Musselburgh (15/8) 39 days ago, first off the bridle and weakening final 1f. Previous efforts were solid and he's a likely type to bounce back.

Form: 032134

(4)

Warrior Lion^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Candlish| OR: 52

11/4

Third of 9 at Doncaster over 10f in June but last of 12 in handicap at this course over 14f (10/3) 18 days ago, offering little despite market support. Cheekpieces back on but he's not the easiest to weigh up.

Form: 787350

(6)

Damzon^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Tommie Jakes⁽⁵⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 51

9/2

Maiden who posted one of her better efforts when third in a C&D handicap in May. However, hasn't been in the same form when eighth of 12 in handicap back here (14f) 18 days ago. Drop back in trip could help.

Form: 548378

(12)

Virtual Hug^p⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 50| CD

12/1

Without a win in 17 starts since April 2024 but in good form following a break, second of 8 in handicap at Bath (5/1) 64 days ago, no extra final 100 yds. Dual C&D winner previously who is worth considering again from this basement mark.

Form: 275732

(3)

Top Of Pleinmont¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: P D Evans| OR: 55

6/1

Ran well when 2nd of 10 in 12f handicap at this course (7/1) in March but fifth of 7 in handicap at this C&D (11/1) 14 days ago, proving too keen and weakening from over 2f out. Could do better if settling better today.

Form: 572445

(11)

Northern Blaze^b,t¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Finley Marsh| T: T Ward| OR: 55

11/4

Has shown improvement with 3rd at Lingfield followed by 4th of 13 in handicap at Kempton (12/1) 19 days ago, shaping well in first-time blinkers despite racing wide. Has a race in him from this sort of mark on that evidence.

Form: 57-7534

(9)

Prince Hector^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: S Donohoe| T: J Bedi| OR: 48| CD

10/1

Holding form well recently with two thirds and a second in last three outings. Third of 8 in handicap at Chelmsford City over 10f (9/1) 16 days ago, going close again despite facing competition for the lead. Returns to C&D where successful in the past and holds solid claims.

Form: 599233

(2)

Havachoc³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Paddy Bradley| T: P Morris| OR: 50

28/1

Winless in 7 starts and stepped up only a little on his stable debut effort following wind surgery when 4th of 8 in a 13.9f handicap at Catterick (66/1) 38 days ago, outpaced over 3f out and merely plugging on. More required.

Form: 075394

(5)

Freedom Bay¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: K T O'Neill| T: W S Kittow| OR: 46

28/1

Modest filly who never figured in face of stiff task at the weights when fifth of 6 in an 8.6f seller here 18 days ago, left behind final 1f. Others look to hold much more compelling claims now stepping up significantly in trip.

Form: 349945

Non-Runners

(8)

Three On Thursday¹¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: A W Carroll J: Rhys Clutterbuck

(7)

Rose Light³²

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: A Forbes J: Non Runner

(10)

Praying For Time³⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: C J Down J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Warrior Lion (11/4), Northern Blaze (11/4), Three On Thursday (4/1), Damzon (9/2), Top Of Pleinmont (6/1), Prince Hector (10/1), Naughty Niall (10/1), Virtual Hug (12/1), Rose Light (20/1), Havachoc (28/1), Freedom Bay (28/1), Praying For Time (66/1)

THREE ON THURSDAY kept on well in a recent 1m handicap at Lingfield and, with the return to 12f evidently holding no fears, Tony Carroll's filly looks to hold sound claims of breaking her duck here. Virtual Hug returns to a track where he's won three times and is feared with cheekpieces back on. Prince Hector continues to hold his form well and also returns to a course and distance where he's been successful.