The Wolverhampton Race Results 22 December covered a full nine-race all-weather programme staged on Monday evening at Wolverhampton, with competitive action spread across novice races and handicaps. The meeting ran from 4:30pm to 8:30pm, testing speed and stamina over distances ranging from five furlongs to two miles.
Prize money across the card varied between £6,000 and £9,500, and several riders and trainers recorded multiple successes during a steadily run evening of racing.
The card opened at 4:30pm with the EBF RESTRICTED NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 5), contested over 7f 36y for £6,300. FREE YOUR SPIRIT, trained by Richard Hughes and ridden by Billy Loughnane, travelled well throughout before asserting in the closing stages to score convincingly for owners R Rexton, M Gander and M Osborne.
At 5:00pm, the GOLDEN GOALS NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) was run over 5f 21y with £7,100 on offer. U S S CHARLESTON, trained by Lemos De Souza, made full use of early speed under Lewis Edmunds and held on late to secure the victory for LDS Bloodstock Ltd.
The sprinting theme continued at 5:30pm in the MIDNITE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (DIV I) over 5f 21y for £6,000. GUSTAV GRAVES, representing trainer Derek Shaw, was delivered with a well-judged ride by George Wood to win for the Big Lachie Syndicate.
Division II of the same contest followed at 6:00pm, again over 5f 21y and worth £6,000. PAPA DON’T PREACH, trained by Kevin Frost, finished strongly under Alec Voikhansky to take the prize for The Kevin Frost Racing Club.
The step up in trip came at 6:30pm with the FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4), run over 1m 1f 104y for £9,500. LADY OF ARABIA, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton and ridden by Billy Loughnane, showed determination in the straight to record a decisive success for KJB Racing.
Billy Loughnane completed a notable treble at 7:00pm in the MIDNITE NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 5) over 1m 1f 104y, worth £7,300. RASTNET, trained by John Butler, stayed on strongly to win for Newtown Anner Stud Farm.
The HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) at 7:30pm, contested over 1m 142y for £7,100, went to LOVE YOUR WORK. Trained by Darryll Holland, the gelding was guided to a measured success by Kieran O’Neill for Harraton Racing Ltd.
Stamina was tested at 8:00pm in the MIDNITE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) over 2m 120y, with £6,000 at stake. TUBA, trained and owned by Fergal O’Brien, stayed on best under Gina Mangan to claim a clear-cut victory.
The meeting concluded at 8:30pm with the MAKE THE MOVE TO MIDNITE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) over 6f 20y for £9,500. ACCRUAL, trained by David Loughnane and ridden by Rowan Scott, finished strongly to bring the curtain down on the card for owner David Lowe.
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