19:00 Wolverhampton

Friday 16 January 2026

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

BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 49.47s

(8)

Whitcombe Rockstar^v,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 86

6/1

Hung left but best recent effort when third in a valuable handicap at Chelmsford (10f) in November. Not in same form since, latterly in first-time visor (retained) here over 9.5f but he could fare better down in trip/grade.

Form: 506364-

(6)

Epictetus^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Hart| T: J A Osborne| OR: 83

15/2

Hasn't won since 2023 (then trained by Gosden stable) but is likely in better heart than recent form figures suggest, going without usual headgear when unsuited by step up to 10f last time. Could be worth another chance in this sort of grade with blinkers back on.

Form: 30578-7

(5)

Advancing²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M Botti| OR: 84| CD

4/7

Relatively lightly-raced. Well backed to land second career/all-weather success (having left James Ferguson for 25,000 gns) when making a successful stable debut in a well-run 12-runner handicap at this course (8.6f, 85/40) 20 days ago. Manner of that victory suggests there's likely more to come.

Form: 433761-

(7)

Rajapour^v²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| CD

14/1

Improved on recent efforts in first-time visor to readily win 7-runner handicap at this C&D last month and best forgiven latest run here when left poorly placed. Still feasibly treated on best of his form.

Form: 058916-

(3)

Paladin⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Oliver Stammers| T: K Frost| OR: 77| BF

33/1

Better than ever when second behind progressive rival on penultimate run over 1m at Southwell. Below form on final start for Charlie Johnston (sold for 13,000 gns in October) but has joined a capable yard and would be interesting if back to his best.

Form: 561725-

(10)

Sea Founder¹³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 78

16/1

Made a winning reappearance in a 1m Windsor maiden that produced subsequent winners in April prior to a promising handicap debut fourth at Haydock. Disappointed following 2 starts but goes well fresh and isn't discounted on just his second all-weather start.

Form: 57/1467-

(1)

Hitched^h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 77| CD

9/1

C&D winner can race freely but has placed on latest two starts at this track and bounced back to form when second of 6 in handicap (3/1) at Lingfield (8f, AW) 9 days ago, having conceded first run. Should remain competitive.

Form: 462372-

(2)

Cephalus^b⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 76

66/1

Didn't need to be at best when winning 6-runner seller at Newcastle (8f) on final start for Gary & Josh Moore. Offered little with blinkers left off on debut for new yard but can be more competitive if on a going day with headgear refitted.

Form: 390610-

(4)

First Greyed^v¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: Zoe Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: T Faulkner| OR: 68| BF| CD

28/1

C&D winner. Four wins from 9 runs last year. Latest win here in December. Turned in rare poor effort when 5/2, eighth of 10 in handicap at this C&D 10 days ago (having taken strong hold) and has more on his plate upped in grade under a less-experienced rider.

Form: 40441-8

Non-Runners

(9)

Mr Baloo²⁵

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: R Hannon J: Tyrese Cameron

Forecasts

Advancing (4/7), Whitcombe Rockstar (6/1), Epictetus (15/2), Hitched (9/1), Mr Baloo (12/1), Rajapour (14/1), Sea Founder (16/1), First Greyed (28/1), Paladin (33/1), Cephalus (66/1)

It's still early days for ADVANCING who justified support with something to spare over C&D on stable debut and he's fancied to defy a 7 lb rise. Mr Baloo wasn't seen to best effect last time and merits consideration off a tempting mark, along with Epictetus who is likely in better heart than recent form figures suggest.