4:00 Wolverhampton (AW)
This Class 6 apprentice handicap at Wolverhampton over 1m1f104y on standard ground brings together a field of largely modest and limited performers. The KTB Fit Scores reflect a race with few standouts, topped by Boy Named Sioux on 64, with the next four principals clustered between 54 and 50. Most of the field are dropping in class and the majority have been held up in their recent races, aligning with a pace shape that lacks an obvious leader.
How the race shapes up
With no one obviously wanting the lead the race is set to be a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay. The pace shape suggests a race where those capable of producing their effort at the right moment from mid-division or just off the pace will be favoured. The key question is which of these largely exposed types can find the necessary improvement or return to form in a contest short on reliable frontrunners.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Boy Named Sioux KTB Selection64/100
Boy Named Sioux is a modest performer who has failed to place in his last five starts and showed little at this track when seventh on his only previous visit. The yard has a solid 17% strike-rate here from 23 runs and the colt has already won on standard ground, but he steps up in trip today for the first time and remains a largely exposed sort. Data confidence is high. He is the KTB Selection. His trainer and jockey combination shows a 5/74 (7%) record with an A/E of 0.54. Usually held up, he produces his effort late and is drawn in stall 8.
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2Chesneys Charm54/100
Chesneys Charm is a modest performer who has won once from a single start at Wolverhampton. Recent form has been patchy with a string of mid-field finishes and he now drops back in trip having been placed without winning at this distance. Trainer Ivan Furtado holds a 10% strike rate here from a large sample while jockey Elle-May Croot has limited experience at the track. He has a going record of 3 wins from 7 on standard with 4 placed. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is drawn in stall 6 and has course form of 1 from 1.
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3Look Back Smiling52/100
Look Back Smiling is a modest performer who has been consistent enough to place in three of his last six starts without winning. He has shown some ability on this track and on standard going yet remains winless in five runs at today's trip and steps up in distance for the first time since last season. The yard's modest record here adds no particular encouragement. His trainer and jockey show respective 11% strike rates at Wolverhampton. Usually held up, he produces his effort late from draw 5 and has course form of two runs without placing.
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4Al Za'ama52/100
Al Za'ama is a modest performer who has shown little in three starts since debut. Dropping back from 2m to an untried 1m1f poses a fresh question while the wide draw is far from ideal. Trainer has a solid 9% strike rate from 106 runs at Wolverhampton. The 3-year-old is held up, usually producing his effort late, though with medium confidence in that run-style. He has no course form on record and a going record of one unplaced run on standard.
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5Green Team50/100
Green Team is a modest performer who has won three times here from 13 runs and holds a solid record on standard ground with three wins from 18 starts. Drops back in trip today having last run over a mile and three and a half furlongs, so this distance is an unknown that could suit or expose him. Trainer has a 13% strike rate from 1626 runs at Wolverhampton. Usually held up with medium confidence, the 7-year-old is drawn in stall 7 and his trainer-jockey partnership reads 1/6 (17%).
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6The Anthony Gover50/100
The Anthony Gover is a modest performer who has shown steady improvement and landed a handicap here over this trip in February. He has a solid record on the surface and at the trip but his last run was disappointing and the wide draw is far from ideal. The yard has a modest record at the track.
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7Volto di Medusa49/100
Volto di Medusa is a modest performer who has been placed twice from six runs at Wolverhampton without winning. He steps up in trip today having shown his best recent efforts over a mile and it remains to be seen if the extra distance will suit. The trainer operates at a 13% strike rate here from 139 runs.
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8John Harrison49/100
John Harrison is a modest performer who has been consistent without winning, placing in four of his seven starts including a second on debut. Steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question of him while the wide draw in stall 12 is far from ideal on this track. Trainer has a solid 14% strike rate here from a big sample.
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9Harbour Vision47/100
Harbour Vision is a limited performer who has won six times at this track from 36 runs yet has been out of form for most of this year. Steps up markedly in trip today having last run over 7f and his one previous try at this distance brought no joy. Trainer's modest 7% strike rate from over a thousand runs here adds little encouragement.
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10Venturing45/100
Venturing is a limited performer who has shown only modest form in six starts, finishing no better than fourth. Steps up in trip for the first time today while wearing headgear for the first time, both fresh questions. Trainer has a 10% strike rate from 3036 runs at Wolverhampton.
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11Gifts Differing40/100
Gifts Differing is a limited performer who has shown only modest form across seven runs and finished sixth of nine last time. Drops back in trip to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question of him. Trainer has a 12% strike rate at Wolverhampton from 17 runs.
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12Lady Delila35/100
Lady Delila is a limited performer who has been placed without winning on her last two starts over this trip. She has shown some ability on this track with two placed efforts from four runs and has also placed three times from 11 starts on standard going. Trainer has a modest 6% strike rate here from a big sample while the jockey is having his first ride at the course.
KTB verdict
Boy Named Sioux is the KTB Selection. While he is a modest performer who has failed to place in his last five starts, the yard's solid record at Wolverhampton and his previous success on standard ground provide the strongest combination of factors in a race where the principals are closely matched on KTB Fit. The steadily-run nature of the contest may suit his held-up style if he can find the right moment to deliver. Main dangers include Chesneys Charm with his course win, Look Back Smiling who has shown recent placed form, and the course specialists Green Team and The Anthony Gover.
KTB Selection Boy Named Sioux
This is the narrative read of the 4:00 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 horse is stepping up in trip for the first time today?
Boy Named Sioux is stepping up in trip for the first time today.
How many wins has Green Team recorded at Wolverhampton?
Green Team has won three times at Wolverhampton from 13 runs.
What is the course record of Chesneys Charm at Wolverhampton?
Chesneys Charm has a course record of 1 win from 1 start at Wolverhampton.
Which runner is wearing first-time headgear?
Venturing is wearing first-time headgear.
Who has the highest strike rate at Wolverhampton among the trainers of the top five principals?
Richard & Peter Fahey have a 17% strike rate at Wolverhampton from 23 runs.
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