8:00 Wolverhampton (AW)
This Class 5 handicap over the minimum trip at Wolverhampton promises to be a competitive affair on standard going, with a field of eight featuring several course winners and horses dropping in grade. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched between 56 and 43, underlining the modest level of the race and the lack of a standout performer on pure numbers. Recent form is mixed across the board, with several runners showing placed efforts but few clear upward trajectories.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated given the presence of multiple habitual front-runners, including Too Darn Good, Bona Fortuna and Loleeta, which should ensure an end-to-end gallop and the likelihood of the leaders coming back to the field late on. Hold-up performers such as Nogo's Dream, Comic Strip, Adalida and Enter Sandman are therefore well positioned to capitalise if the pace collapses. The key question is whether any of the prominent runners can dictate matters and fend off the late challengers in what looks a race that could be won from off the speed.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Nogo's Dream56/100
Nogo's Dream is a modest performer who has won once from four starts at Wolverhampton and holds a solid record on standard ground with two wins and eight places from 13 runs. He is proven at this trip with four wins from 30 starts yet his recent form of 264264 shows a lack of real progress. The yard posts a 17% strike rate here from 512 runs while Oisin Murphy takes the ride. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited by the strong pace likely to unfold. Dropping in class from a draw of six, he has the profile to be involved if the front-runners pay for their exertions.
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2Too Darn Good KTB Selection56/100
Too Darn Good is a modest performer who has won both starts over this trip on standard ground, including a victory here from one run at Wolverhampton. Recent form has been patchy with three wins and three poor efforts from six starts this year. Trainer Henry Candy has a solid 13% strike rate at the track from 150 runs while jockey Nicola Currie is unproven here. Tending to make the running or race prominently, he is sure to be to the fore in what is expected to be a strong gallop. With a course-and-distance success already on his CV and a going record of one win from one on standard, he holds a clear chance if he can sustain his speed.
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3U S S Charleston55/100
U S S Charleston is a modest performer who has won once here over this trip from three starts and also holds a second win at the distance from 18 attempts. Recent form has been ordinary though, with a string of placed efforts but no win since the spring, and first-time headgear is now reached for. The trainer's modest record at the track adds little confidence. Typically settling in midfield, he may find himself further back than ideal given the prominent runners engaged. Dropping in class from draw seven, the headgear will need to spark improvement if he is to feature.
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4Comic Strip54/100
Comic Strip is a fair performer who has won twice at this trip including once over course and distance. He has shown consistent placed form on this surface with two wins and two places from seven runs on standard going. The Crisfords have a solid 21% strike-rate here while Harry Davies knows the track well. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is the type to benefit if the anticipated strong pace materialises. Dropping in class from the inside draw, his proven ability on the surface and at the distance makes him a solid contender.
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5Adalida53/100
Adalida is a modest performer who has been consistent this year without winning often. She has placed on this track and on standard ground, and she has won twice at this trip from five attempts. The yard's solid 15% strike rate at Wolverhampton gives some encouragement. Usually held up, she should be suited by the race shape.
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6Bona Fortuna50/100
Bona Fortuna is a fair performer who has been consistent of late, finishing second in three of his last five starts including a narrow defeat last time. He has placed three times from four runs at this trip but is unproven on standard going and makes his first appearance at Wolverhampton. The trainer's modest 11% strike rate here from a large sample adds a note of caution. Tending to race prominently, he could set or share the expected strong pace.
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7Loleeta50/100
Loleeta is a modest performer who has shown bits of ability on this track and at this trip. Has a win and three places from five runs on standard ground and is 2-10 at 5f overall, though her latest efforts have been mixed. Trainer holds a solid 15% strike-rate at Wolverhampton from a big sample while the 7lb claimer is relatively unexposed at the venue. Tending to make the running, she will be up with the pace in a race that could suit her style if she can last home.
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8Enter Sandman43/100
Enter Sandman is a modest performer who has been placed on two of his three runs here including a recent second. He has won once on standard ground and at this trip but his overall strike-rate is modest and he has been beaten in four of his last five starts. The trainer operates at a 9% strike-rate at Wolverhampton from a large sample. Usually held up, he could be well suited by the strong pace on offer.
KTB verdict
Too Darn Good is the KTB Selection. A modest performer who has already shown he can win over course and distance on standard ground, his front-running style looks ideally suited to the strong pace that is likely to unfold. Recent form has been patchy but the ability is there to take advantage if the leaders fold late on. He will need to see off the challenge of hold-up types such as Nogo's Dream and Comic Strip, both of whom have strong course form and should relish the shape, while U S S Charleston in first-time headgear and the consistent Adalida are others to consider in an open-looking race.
KTB Selection Too Darn Good
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 28 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Nogo's Dream | 5/1 | LiveScore Bet |
| Too Darn Good | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| U S S Charleston | 9/1 | William Hill |
| Comic Strip | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Adalida | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Bona Fortuna | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Loleeta | 11/1 | Midnite |
| Enter Sandman | 8/1 | William Hill |
This is the narrative read of the 8:00 Wolverhampton (AW). For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Wolverhampton (AW) racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Wolverhampton (AW) results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the strong pace?
Too Darn Good, Bona Fortuna and Loleeta all tend to make the running or race prominently.
How many course winners are in the field?
Nogo's Dream, Too Darn Good, U S S Charleston and Comic Strip have all won at Wolverhampton.
Which runners are dropping in class?
Nogo's Dream, U S S Charleston and Comic Strip are all dropping in class.
Who is wearing first-time headgear?
U S S Charleston is fitted with first-time headgear.
Which horse is unproven on standard going?
Bona Fortuna has no runs on standard ground.
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