8:30 Wolverhampton (AW)
A Class 6 handicap over 1m4f51y on the standard surface at Wolverhampton brings together a field of seven modest performers. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top end, headed by Sansanetti on 60, with the remainder clustered between 48 and 38. Recent form is mixed across the board, but the surface and trip will be key factors given the limited course experience of several runners.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay. Sansanetti is the one horse likely to race prominently, while the other six are all held-up types who will look to produce their efforts late. The key question is whether the prominent runner can dictate matters or whether the race will fall into the hands of one of the closers as they pick their way through in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
-
1Sansanetti KTB Selection60/100
Sansanetti is a modest performer who has been in decent form of late, winning a similar race last time out. He steps up in trip today for the first time which asks a new question, though he has won four times from five starts on this standard surface. The trainer holds a solid 15% strike rate at Wolverhampton from a big sample while the jockey also knows the track well, with respective figures of 20/120 (17%) A/E 1.13 and 14% strike rate A/E 0.96. Usually races handily, on or close to the lead, Sansanetti can make the most of his prominent run-style in a race that lacks an obvious leader. Recent form figures read -66441 and he comes here off the back of that latest success.
-
2Luan48/100
Luan is a modest performer who has already shown his best at this track with a win from two runs here. He steps up in trip today having won at this distance on his only previous attempt, though his recent form has been a bit up and down. The trainer has no recorded runners at Wolverhampton while Billy Loughnane is 19% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.94 from 782 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, Luan will be looking to come from off the pace in what is set to be a steadily-run affair. Recent form figures read 0-9119 and he has 1 win from 6 starts on standard going.
-
3Phaedra43/100
Phaedra is a modest performer who has won twice at this trip but has been out of form for some time and showed little spark in three runs here. The stable is struggling at this track with a 5% strike rate and A/E of 0.41 from 42 runs, while recent form figures of 724025 offer no encouragement. Dropping in class is a positive and she steps up in distance today which at least poses a fresh question. Usually held up and producing her effort late, Phaedra will need to find more than she has shown of late from draw 1. She has been placed twice from nine starts on standard going but is still without a win on the surface.
-
4Dancingondiamonds42/100
Dancingondiamonds is a modest performer who has shown little spark in five starts since debut, with recent efforts including a fifth and two sixths. She steps up in trip today having looked stretched at 1m2f last time, though the pedigree offers some hope she will improve for the extra distance. The trainer operates at a 6% strike rate here from a big sample while the jockey is 9% from 35 rides at Wolverhampton. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she will be another looking to come from off the pace in a tactical contest. Recent form reads 5-536 and this is a drop in class.
-
5Bulldog Spirit41/100
Bulldog Spirit is a modest performer who has been running to a similar level this year without looking like winning. He has won at today's trip but his three runs here have produced no better than sixth and the yard's modest record at the track adds little encouragement, though the ground is fine.
-
6Sevenkingsmustdie40/100
Sevenkingsmustdie is a limited performer who has shown very little in three starts this year following a poor debut. He steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him, with the trainer holding a solid 14% strike rate at Wolverhampton from 342 runs.
-
7Ottoman38/100
Ottoman is a limited performer who has been in and out of form this year and ran no race on his only previous visit to this track. He has won at today's trip but showed little on his one attempt on standard going, though the jockey's solid 20% strike rate at Wolverhampton offers some hope.
KTB verdict
Sansanetti stands out as the KTB Selection. A recent winner of a similar race, he has an excellent record on the standard surface and his prominent running style looks ideal in a contest that lacks an obvious leader. The step up in trip is the main unknown but his overall profile and the yard's record at the track make him the one to beat. Main dangers are Luan, who has already shown his best here and won at this trip, and Phaedra, who drops in class and has stamina on her side, though both need to improve on recent efforts.
KTB Selection Sansanetti
This is the narrative read of the 8:30 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 has the strongest record on the standard surface?
Sansanetti, who has won four times from five starts on standard going.
How many runners in the field have previous winning form at Wolverhampton?
Only Luan, with a win from two runs at the track.
Who is the only horse with a prominent run-style?
Sansanetti, who usually races handily on or close to the lead.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Wolverhampton among those represented?
Alan King, with a 14% strike rate from 342 runs.
How many of these runners have no previous course form at Wolverhampton?
Three: Sansanetti, Dancingondiamonds and Sevenkingsmustdie.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
About the A/E figures in this preview. They are the data supplier’s: the winners a trainer or jockey had, divided by the winners the starting prices implied, over the runs in that record. Above 1.0 means more wins than the prices suggested. It is not KTB’s fair A/E, which allows for the bookmakers’ margin and the favourite–longshot bias, and the two are not comparable.
More from Kickthebookies