5:45 Wolverhampton (AW)
This Class 2 GBB Conditions Stakes over 1m142y on the standard surface at Wolverhampton brings together six runners, most without previous experience of the track. The KTB Fit Scores are headed by Meydaan on 63, with Al Zanati close behind on 60, while the remainder sit between 52 and 44, suggesting a competitive but not overly deep field. Meydaan arrives with the highest official rating of 117 and a solid recent sequence that includes two wins, giving him a clear edge on class and proven ability at this level.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader and points to a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy should prove advantageous. With the majority of the field, including the top four, tending to be held up or settle in mid-division, the race is likely to develop into a sprint for the line from around two furlongs out. The key question will be whether the hold-up performers can weave their way through in a race that may not be run at a strong enough gallop to suit those coming from the back.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Meydaan KTB Selection63/100
Meydaan is the KTB Selection and brings the strongest form credentials with an official rating of 117. A 5-year-old who usually races held up and produces his effort late, he has shown a liking for standard going with one win from one start. The Simon & Ed Crisford yard posts a 21% strike rate at Wolverhampton with an A/E of 0.85, while Oisin Murphy has a 23% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.94. Their combined record reads 17/52 (33%) with an A/E of 1.23 and +£12.05 LSP. Meydaan has no previous course form but his recent figures of 0-1313 underline his competitiveness at this level, and he is expected to be suited by the tactical nature of the race from draw 1.
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2Al Zanati60/100
Al Zanati holds a KTB Fit Score of 60 and is a 3-year-old dropping in class with an official rating of 106. He is another who is usually held up and produces his effort late. The Charlie Appleby stable has a 33% strike rate at Wolverhampton with an A/E of 0.92, and William Buick records a 21% strike rate at the venue with an A/E of 0.95. Their partnership shows 859/2873 (30%) with an A/E of 0.95 and -£51.36 LSP. He has one win from one run on standard going and no course form to date, while his recent sequence of 21-265 indicates he remains a live contender if the race sets up for those coming from off the pace.
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3Morris Dancer52/100
Morris Dancer is rated 52 on the KTB Fit scale and is a 3-year-old also dropping in class with an official rating of 105. Typically settling in midfield, he is unproven on standard ground having had no previous runs on it. The John & Thady Gosden team show a 25% strike rate at Wolverhampton with an A/E of 0.93, while Robert Havlin has a 13% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.88. Their record together reads 239/1103 (22%) with an A/E of 0.89 and -£135.09 LSP. With recent form figures of 21-376 and no course experience, he will need to improve on the balance of his form to play a major role from draw 4.
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4Asmen Warrior48/100
Asmen Warrior carries a KTB Fit Score of 48 and is a 4-year-old with an official rating of 98. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is unproven on standard ground. The James Owen yard has a 19% strike rate at Wolverhampton with an A/E of 1.04, and Marco Ghiani records a 13% strike rate there with an A/E of 0.79. Their combined figures read 2/11 (18%) with an A/E of 1.94 and +£7.50 LSP. Recent form of 320178 shows some ability but he has no course form, and he will need the steadily-run race to unfold favourably from draw 5 if he is to get involved at the business end.
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5Treble Tee48/100
Treble Tee is another from the Simon & Ed Crisford yard and has a KTB Fit Score of 48. A 4-year-old dropping in class with an official rating of 105, he is usually held up with high confidence and has no previous experience of standard ground. The yard's 21% strike rate at Wolverhampton is complemented by Harry Davies' 13% strike rate at the venue. Recent form of 7-5135 suggests he is capable but he has no course form and will need to find extra on these terms.
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6Telemark44/100
Telemark has a KTB Fit Score of 44 and is a 5-year-old with an official rating of 99. Usually held up with high confidence, he has had three runs on standard without winning or placing. From the Simon & Ed Crisford stable, he is ridden by Jack Mitchell who has a 17% strike rate at Wolverhampton. Recent figures of 13-147 show flashes of ability but he has no course form and looks up against it on balance.
KTB verdict
Meydaan is the KTB Selection and has the best combination of class, proven ability on the surface and a recent record that includes two wins from his last four starts. The 5-year-old is well placed from the inside draw in a race that lacks an obvious pace-setter and should be able to come from off the pace to good effect. His main dangers are likely to be Al Zanati, who drops in class and has strong yard and jockey support, and Morris Dancer, who represents a powerful stable but has the question of the surface to answer. Asmen Warrior and the two other Crisford runners complete the field and cannot be entirely ruled out in a tactical affair, yet Meydaan looks to hold the strongest hand.
KTB Selection Meydaan
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 19 Oct. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Meydaan | evn | Bet365 |
| Al Zanati | 11/4 | Bet Victor |
| Morris Dancer | 11/1 | Midnite |
| Asmen Warrior | 13/2 | Bet365 |
| Treble Tee | 17/2 | William Hill |
| Telemark | 30/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 5:45 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. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Wolverhampton (AW) racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is proven on the standard surface?
Meydaan has one win from one run on standard going, while Al Zanati also has one win from one run on standard. Telemark has had three runs on standard without a win or place. Morris Dancer, Asmen Warrior and Treble Tee are unproven on the ground.
How does the lack of a leader affect the race shape?
The pace shape lacks a leader with medium confidence, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays. Most runners are held up or settle in mid-division, so the race is likely to turn into a sprint from off the pace.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Wolverhampton in this field?
Charlie Appleby has a 33% strike rate at Wolverhampton with an A/E of 0.92. John & Thady Gosden have 25%, Simon & Ed Crisford 21%, and James Owen 19%.
Which jockey has the best strike rate at the track among those riding?
Oisin Murphy has a 23% strike rate at Wolverhampton with an A/E of 0.94. Jack Mitchell has 17%, William Buick 21%, while Robert Havlin, Marco Ghiani and Harry Davies are on 13%.
Who has the highest official rating in the race?
Meydaan has the highest official rating on 117. Treble Tee is rated 105, Al Zanati and Morris Dancer are both rated 106 and 105 respectively, Telemark is on 99 and Asmen Warrior on 98.
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