18:30 Wolverhampton

Friday 2 January 2026

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 18:34 | Winning time: 1m 29.27s

(5)

Straight A²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| BF| CD

9/4

C&D winner. Eleven runs since last win in 2025. 10/3, bit below form sixth of 12 in handicap at this C&D 27 days ago. Major claims on his runner-up effort prior to that.

Form: 298526-

(4)

Chifa³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: E De Giles| OR: 69| CD

13/8

Six-time C&D winner, latest of them in 9-runner handicap at this C&D 34 days ago, readily. Up 6 lb but clearly in top form and his AW record is a solid one.

Form: 064221-

(3)

Arnaz^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Cieren Fallon| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 69| D

4/1

8/1, first run since leaving Ed Walker when respectable fourth of 12 in handicap at this C&D 27 days ago, looking suited by return to 7f.

Form: 343274-

(6)

Al Hofzan²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: William Cox| T: G Nicholls| OR: 66

18/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 11/2, third of 5 in maiden at this C&D 20 days ago. Makes handicap debut and brings some potential to the table.

Form: 623-

(1)

Landlordtothestars³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: H J Evans| OR: 64| CD

15/2

Well prepared following 6 months off when winning 8-runner handicap at this C&D 34 days ago by head from Straight A, despite being slowly away. Nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 2580/71-

(7)

Adelaide Bay¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: William Carson| T: T Faulkner| OR: 64| CD

50/1

C&D winner. Three wins from 7 runs last year. Seventh of 8 in handicap (33/1) at Lingfield (7f, AW) 16 days ago.

Form: 511507-

(2)

River Wharfe^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Matthew Slater⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 58| CD

16/1

C&D winner. Four wins from 18 runs last year. 9/1, creditable sixth of 10 in handicap at Lingfield (8f, AW) 18 days ago, not ideally placed.

Form: 511586-

Forecasts

Chifa (13/8), Straight A (9/4), Arnaz (4/1), Landlordtothestars (15/2), River Wharfe (16/1), Al Hofzan (18/1), Adelaide Bay (50/1)

CHIFA travelled with notable zest when a ready winner over C&D a month ago and given the mark he'd dropped to, a subsequent 6 lb rise may well be within range. Landlordtothestars and Straight A occupied the first 2 spots here last month and both can remain competitive.