21:11 That’s it from a somewhat run of the mill Wolverhampton meeting, held in front of a very small cloud on what turned out to be a chilly evening.

21:09 One of those races where the entire complexion of the race changed inside the final furlong as the cavalry charged.

Mister Fantastic had set the pace only to be swallowed up in the charge a furlong out.

The main chargers were Desert Falls, Belle Park, Tres Froide, Nicholas Pocock and Lunar River.

It was Nicholas Pocock who ran on best of all though to record a three length victory.

Belel Parke took second spot beating Tres Froide  and Lunar River, who arguably left her run too late.

The favourite Colinica’s Lad was with the pace early on but flattered to deceive, eeevennntttually coming home in tenth spot.   

20:49 … and finally, the At The Races Virgin 534 Handicap with 13 competing for the £1,774 first prize.

20:39 This was more of a procession than a race.

Holiday Snap pinged out of the stalls, unlike Intiqaal who missed the break and proceeded to run green throughout the race.

Holiday Snap set a good pace and by the time they were at the end of the back straight he had a good five length lead, with nothing looking likely to challenge.

Danehill Sunset was leading the pack as they turned for home but the favourite Qamar had made steady progress to take second spot and by the time they had lined up for home had pulled clear to challenge Holiday Snap.

Qamar was soon in front and although Holiday Snap tried to fight back the jolly had sufficient in hand to record a comfortable 1¾ length victory.

20:19 Race seven is the Breeders Cup Live On At The Races Maiden Stakes with 11 going to post.

A jockey change with Jim Crowley taking the ride on Ruby Dazzler.

20:11 Wow – an amazing race.

Mister New York completely missed the start and his task was made all the more difficult by the blisteringly fast pace, which was more like a five furlong sprint than a mile contest.

The favourite Beauchamp Viceroy set the pace but was headed by the hard pulling Alrasm as they entered the back straight.

Alsram had a good lead by half way and Cloudy Start, normally a front runner himself, was the chaser.

Atlantis Star, coming back from a 348 day absence, was settled in rear before making progress to challenge.

The field bunched well in the final furlong with Beauchamp Viceroy, Alrasm and Atlantis Star all in contention.

A potentially embarrassment was avoided after Ted Durcan managed to recover from dropping his reigns around half a furlong from home and he was just able to get Atlantis Star’s head in front on the line, beating Alrasm and Beauchamp Viceroy.

19:47 A trio of extended mile contests to finish off our eight race card.

The first is the Wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Conditions Stakes with our smallest field of the evening with seven going to post.

19:36 We are certainly seeing some varying tactics here this evening.

This time we saw a front running performance as Flag Of Glory gives George Baker a quick-fire double.

Having said that he had to fight hard for victory as the favourite Tamtara came late but when challenged Flag Of Glory found just a little bit more to record a neck victory.

Bakongo was running on really well in the closing stages to get within 1½ lengths of the front duo.

The other joint favourite Mr Harmoosh, who was better backed than Tamtara, was settled behind the leaders for most of the contest before fading to finish a disappointing 9th

Another disappointment was the well backed Beneath, never in contention finishing 8th      

19:18 The lights are on as we go into the second half of the meeting.

Race five is the extended 1m 1f NFU Mutual Centenary Handicap, with 11 facing the judge.

19:08 Another good finish for division two of the marathon.

It looked as though Resplendent Ace had taken the race when he headed the favourite Bute Street in the home straight. However George Baker battled back to get the favourites head in front on the line, the official distance being a head.

Bute Street had been settled in second for most of the contest, with Swords setting the pace as Richard Hughes attempted to steal a march on his rivals.

Swords held the advantage until four out, when Bute Street took up the running with what looked to be a decisive run.

Bright Sparky had been making steady as they came down the back straight to be in a challenging position as they took the home turn.

Resplendent Ace was another making good progress and took up the running a furlong out, although Bute Street was not going to go down fighting.

18:48 Division two of the marathon next and eight go to post.

As in division one nothing really stands out. Bute Street is going to post early.

As in the last, if pushed, then Swords gets the paddock pin.

18:41 For a long distance race the finish was thrilling but bad news for favourite backers.

Devilfishpoker Com set the pace although he paid the price for the front running tactics, eventually coming home last.

Favourite Motarjm had been settled mid-division before making progress to lead half a mile from home, opening up a decent lead as they swung for home.

Bedarra Boy looked to be the most likely challenger, having been settled around third spot for most of the contest.

Last year’s winner Leyte Gulf was settled second last on the first circuit before making steady progress, although turning for home looked booked for minor honours at best.

However Michael Hills was stoking away and ran on well to hit the front inside the final yards to record a half length victory over the favourite.  

Bedarra Boy came home third with the well backed Whitley Bay a never nearer fourth.

Danesilver was most disappointing and never in the contest.

18:18 A couple of long distance races coming up. Division one of the Sports Betting At sportsbetting.co.uk Handicap, just shy of 1m 6f with nine facing the starter.

Nothing of any note in the parade ring, if my arm was twisted I would say the top pair in the weights, Dansilver and Leyte Gulf, were the best looking (the latter won this corresponding contest last year)

18:08 A race where the betting managed to get the result spot-on with the top three in the betting filling the first three places.

Come On Buckers and Almaty Express set the pace with Monsieur Harvey and Blakeshall Diamond tracking.

The favourite Dancing Welcome was settled in the early stages.

Turning for home Almaty Express took up the running but the advantage was relatively short lived with both Shakespeare’s Son and Dancing Welcome coming with late challenges.

Almaty Express is a horse who seems more at home over five furlongs nowadays and after Shakespeare’s Son briefly took up the running only to be headed by Dancing Welcome, who came home half a length clear.    

Monsieur Harvey held on for fourth spot with the front running Come On Buckers next.

17:48 Race two is the At The Races Sky 415 Handicap a ten runner contest over six furlongs.

17:42 Well first blood to the bookies as the odds-on favourite Winged Valkyrie was only able to finish a disappointing 5th after setting the pace until tiring two from home.

This allowed Amanda Perrett’s Kelinni to take up the running to come home 1¾ lengths clear.

This turned out to be a good race for running-on contenders and did Sophie Doyle’s new 3lb allowance make the difference as she came home in second spot on 66/1 outsider Endaxi Mana Mou.

Be Amazing, the second favourite looked to be in trouble half way and was under pressure five out.

She improved to run on in the closing stages to eventually come home third, almost grabbing the runners-up spot.

17:19 The favourite Winged Valkyrie is an uneasy favourite but is by far the best looking in the parade ring.

17:00 Our opening contest is the Breeders' Cup Live On At The Races Median Auction Maiden Stakes, a seven furlong contest with eleven going to post.

One weight notice in the opener, Sophie Doyle now claims 3lbs instead of 5lbs.

16:38 The rain has now stopped and the sun is now shining.

16:23 Good afternoon from Wolverhampton where it is currently chucking down, although it is probably just a heavy shower.

There is plenty of blue sky around about.

11:55 The non-runner count is slowly increasing.

10:33 A couple more non-runners

07:50 A showery day is forecast and the going is, of course, Standard.

There are currently four non-runners and the eight race card gets underway at 17:25.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

17:25
10 Escala (not eaten up - SC 06:53)

17:55
1 Pavement Games (double declaration - 12:19 Wed)
4 Pinball (colic - VC 13:31)
6 Cheery Cat (lame - SC 11:29)

18:25
7 Be Kind (bruised foot - 16:10 Wed)

18:55
7 Sacco D'Oro (ringworm - SC 14:21 Wed)
10 Liberty Girl (knocked joint - VC 08:54)

19:25
3 Hail Bond Chief (stiff - VC 10:52)

20:25
1 Just Zak (lame - SC 10:07)

Results

17:25 Maiden Stakes 7f 22yds

17:55 Handicap 5f 216yds

18:25 Handicap (Div 1) 1m 5f 194yds

18:55 Handicap (Div 2) 1m 5f 194yds

19:25 Handicap 1m 1f 103yds

19:55 Conditions Stakes 1m 141yds

20:25 Maiden Stakes 1m 141yds

20:55 Handicap 1m 141 yds