Can Harvanna make winning start for Wolverhampton king Mick Appleby? Analysis and trainer quotes for feature handicap

This 6f fillies' handicap is a rider-restricted race for jockeys who have partnered no more than 30 Flat winners in Britain over the last 12 months.

Pierre-Louis Jamin, who rides dual course and distance scorer Lady Dreamer, narrowly qualifies on the back of 29 wins this year.

His mount should go well from a nice draw in stall five, but might be in the handicapper’s grip off a mark 5lb higher than when last successful.

Jonny Peate, with 26 winners to his credit in 2024, rides Champagne Sarah, who boasts some strong form for this level in turf handicaps at Ascot, Windsor and York this year. However, she may need this first outing since June.

Mick Appleby has sent out 70 winners from 600 runners at Wolverhampton over the last five years, and appears to hold strong claims of adding to his tally with recent recruit Harvanna.

The three-year-old won off a mark of 86 for Karl Burke at Doncaster in July and can race off 1lb lower this time, with apprentice Frederick Larson reducing her weight by 3lb.

Ex-Irish-trained Byzantine Empress makes her debut for the red-hot stable of Jedd O’Keeffe, who has won with three of his last four runners.

A comfortable winner off 69 at Haydock in August, the daughter of Washington DC is now 8lb higher, but it would be foolish to dismiss her on that basis with the yard going so well.

My Awele, winner of two of her three starts since graduating to handicaps, looks open to further improvement at 6f.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Grant Tuer, trainer of Je Ne Sais Quoi
We probably made a bit too much use of her at Southwell last time and we plan to track the pace this time. We still think she has a few pounds in hand and expect six furlongs and a fast pace around there to suit her.

Jedd O’Keeffe, trainer of Byzantine Empress
We’ve not had her very long having picked her up at the horses-in-training sale. This is a bit of an experiment dropping her back to six furlongs, but this will tell us where we are.

Jedd O'Keeffe: runs Byzantine Empress at Wolverhampton on MondayCredit: John Grossick

Conrad Allen, trainer of My Awele
She seems to be progressing and we think the trip will suit. She’s well drawn in stall two and we expect her to be competitive in an open-looking race.

Chris Mason, trainer of Jax Edge
David Probert gave her a cracking ride to win there last time when we changed tactics and dropped her in. We did have her in at Lingfield but have opted to stick to what she knows best.

Harry Eustace, trainer of Jazzy Angel
She’s drawn wide, as she was when she won there last time. She was supposed to run at Southwell a fortnight ago but it was abandoned so we need to get her out. It doesn’t look the strongest Class 3 in the world so we’ll give it a go.

Rod Millman, trainer of Runaround Sioux
She had a setback prior to her last run which kept her off through the summer, but she ran well last time and is better drawn this time.
Reporting by David Milnes

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