18:00 Wolverhampton

Friday 5 January 2024

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

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Off time: 18:01 | Winning time: 2m 1.18s

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(6)

Great Max⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: T Eaves| T: M L W Bell| OR: 84

6/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2021. Making all-weather debut, again ran respectably when fifth of 12 in handicap (15/2) at this course (9.5f) 41 days ago. Not discounted having eased further in the weights.

Form: 006745-

(2)

Afterwards²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 84

11/2

Off the mark at Newcastle (8f) in March last year and, after 7 months off, ran at least as well when fourth of 9 in handicap at the same course (10.2f, 11/1) 27 days ago. Could take a step forward.

Form: 2154-

(4)

Master Of Combat¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: K Frost| OR: 81| CD

3/1

Successful 3 times here in 2023, staying on to lead well inside final 1f when winning 8-runner handicap at this course (8.6f, 10/3) 17 days ago. Major player in his current form.

Form: 911261-

(5)

Man Of Monaco⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 80

10/1

Made his second start a winning one at Beverley in September. However, well below that level when sixth of 7 in handicap (9/1) at Chelmsford City (10f) 59 days ago. Bounce back called for switched to tapeta.

Form: 2146-

(8)

Forge Valley Lad¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Joey Haynes| T: D M Simcock| OR: 77| CD

40/1

C&D winner who scored 3 times at Lingfield in early-2023. After 8 months off, probably needed the run when eleventh of 13 in handicap at Kempton (12f, 33/1) 16 days ago. Others still make more appeal, though.

Form: 123010-

(7)

Inspiritus^h⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Kyle Strydom| T: R Varian| OR: 78

6/1

Improved again when second of 8 in minor event at Newcastle (8f, 9/2) 51 days ago, despite racing freely in steadily-run race. Bred to be suited by this longer trip, so he's not taken lightly on his handicap debut.

Form: 622-

(3)

Arcadian Nights¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 77| CD

9/1

Four-time course winner, successful twice here in 2023. Ran creditably when fourth of 11 in handicap (17/2) at this C&D 17 days ago. Merits consideration having dropped back down to his last winning mark.

Form: 727864-

(9)

Tiger Beetle¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: M G Rimell| OR: 74| BF| CD

9/2

All 3 career wins at this C&D, with his latest success in November. Not discredited when sixth of 12 in handicap (4/1) at this course (8.6f) 2 weeks ago, slowly away. Can give his running once more.

Form: 611366-

(1)

Avon Light^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 74

11/1

In first-time tongue strap, continued in decent heart when third of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW, 6/1) 16 days ago, having run of race. Still looking for her first victory but she can give another good account.

Form: 828343-

Forecasts

Master Of Combat (3/1), Tiger Beetle (9/2), Afterwards (11/2), Inspiritus (6/1), Great Max (6/1), Arcadian Nights (9/1), Man Of Monaco (10/1), Avon Light (11/1), Forge Valley Lad (40/1)

MASTER OF COMBAT was going through a good spell at the end of 2023, winning at this course on 3 of his last 5 starts, and he can add to his tally returned to this longer trip. The biggest threat could come from Inspiritus, who is open to further progress upped in trip for his handicap debut, while Arcadian Nights also enters calculations.