Race Title and Conditions + Pace Angles + Draw Angles

• Race: 8.40 Wolverhampton, Class 5 Handicap, 1m4f51y, for 3yo+ rated 56-75
• Surface: Tapeta (AW)
• Likely Pace: Moderate to even. Cracker Star, Golden Move, and Typhoon Dancer may go forward, but no consistent front-runner makes a strong pace unlikely.
• Draw Bias: Wolverhampton over 12f on Tapeta has no extreme draw bias, but lower to middle draws (stalls 1–5) can help with early positioning around the first bend.

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Strongest Contenders, Main Dangers & Interesting Outsiders

Team Player – Progressive (8/10):
Improving 3yo. Smart Chester win two starts back and backed it up well with a near miss at Ascot (Class 3). Up 7lb for the win but remains competitively treated. Drawn 1 with Connor Beasley; should track pace nicely and is clearly still improving.

Lightning Touch – Promising (8/10):
Well-bred Frankel filly showing promise. Effort at Newbury upgraded given how wide she had to challenge. Second-up profile was strong and switch to AW might suit her action. Stable in form. Drawn ideally in 3, she’s the most unexposed in the field and is clearly open to more.

Percy Jones – Proven (7/10):
All three wins at Wolverhampton. Races off a workable mark, and solid recent efforts on turf suggest he’s maintained form. Trainer’s runners are hitting form (78% rtf). Tactically flexible, he’ll be well suited if the race lacks pace.

Cracker Star – Interesting Outsider (6/10):
Has shown ability on the AW. Recent turf runs dreadful, but drop in class, back to Tapeta, and visor off could spark revival. Well-drawn and previously ran to an RPR of 81 at Bath over 1m4f. Not one to entirely dismiss.

Typhoon Dancer – Promising (6/10):
Back to 1m4f after flopping at 14f. Lightly raced and form at Chelmsford suggests potential. Hollie Doyle booked, and he may be underestimated despite patchy efforts. Worth noting he’s still learning his craft.

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Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis

• Team Player: 8/10 – Well suited; thriving 3yo with strong finish. Ideal draw.
• Lightning Touch: 8/10 – Untapped potential; drawn well; should adapt to AW.
• Percy Jones: 7/10 – Three-time Wolverhampton winner; back in his comfort zone.
• Typhoon Dancer: 6/10 – Lightly raced; distance/track may be more suitable now.
• Cracker Star: 6/10 – Hard to catch right but well treated back on AW.
• Haptics: 5/10 – High mark; looked out of depth recently and may not enjoy the AW.
• Golden Move: 5/10 – Ex-Nicholls, back on the level. Was useful, but recent efforts underwhelming.
• Is I Right: 5/10 – One win from nine; best form at Haydock; hard to fancy for win.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.

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Each-Way Angles

9 runners means each-way betting is viable.

• Percy Jones (EW) – Loves Wolverhampton and can bounce back from recent turf defeat.
• Cracker Star (EW) – Massive flop last time but is capable of much better and has prior Tapeta form.

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Private Tissue Estimate

• Team Player – 3/1
• Lightning Touch – 4/1
• Percy Jones – 6/1
• Typhoon Dancer – 13/2
• Cracker Star – 8/1
• Haptics – 10/1
• Golden Move – 12/1
• Is I Right – 14/1
• Others – 20/1+

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Summary + Smart Play

An open 1m4f Class 5 with a few upwardly mobile types. Team Player is the form horse and remains well-treated given the strength of his Ascot effort. Lightning Touch offers a strong alternative – unexposed and clearly has a race in her. Percy Jones is solid and clearly well suited by this venue.

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Smart Play

• Win Selection: Team Player – improving with every run and tactically advantaged.
• Each-Way Saver: Percy Jones – thrives at Wolverhampton; can bounce back from Newbury.