Spartan Arrow bids to end his breakout year on a winning note in the five-furlong Join The Midnite Movement Handicap (5.45pm) at Wolverhampton on Saturday, December 20.
Trained by Archie Watson, the five-year-old lines up on the back of a first Pattern-race victory in the G3 Mercury Stakes at Dundalk, in which he beat West Acre by three-quarters of a length.
The 17,000 guineas purchase posted some notable efforts on turf earlier in the year, including winning a Listed race at Chantilly and going down narrowly in the Dash Handicap on Derby Day.
Cosmo Charlton, racing manager for owner Hambleton Racing, said: “Spartan Arrow has been ticking over nicely since his win at Dundalk. I thought he was given a brilliant ride by Hollie [Doyle] that day and he has pleased everyone at home since then.
“He looked a nice horse when we bought him last year and Archie has done a fantastic job. He has had a great year, taking us to a lot of the big meetings, and Archie thinks he has the potential to win more Group races.
“He is a course and distance winner at Wolverhampton and, although he has to give a lot of weight away to most of the field, I don’t think he will have to run too much above his mark to win. Hopefully, he will be there or thereabouts.
“If he was to win here, there is a possibility he could have a trip abroad in the new year, which would be very exciting for the syndicate.”
The opposition includes another Listed scorer in Alligator Alley, who has struck a rich vein of form for Ruth Carr and bids for his fourth win in the space of 23 days.
A winner at Southwell on November 28, Alligator Alley registered follow up victories at Chelmsford on December 11 and Wolverhampton four days later.
The eight-year-old, who shoulders a 4lb penalty for his latest success, goes for a ninth career victory on the all-weather, three of which have come in this grade.
Carr said: “Alligator Alley is in the form of his life. I like his draw in stall four and there is no reason to think he can’t run well, especially given the form he is in right now.
“I wish I knew why he was in such good form! In fairness, he had a niggly hoof problem in the summer, which meant he had some time off, and since then he has been in the best shape I have had him.
“He has been a really fun horse and rarely out of the money since he came to us. He bounces out of his races and was banging the stable door for his feed yesterday morning.
“If he was to win here, he would have a shot at the AW Bonus for December as there is a suitable race for him at Lingfield Park on New Year’s Eve. That would be the plan all being well.”
Charlie Hills saddles Equality, who captured a G3 sprint at Sandown Park in 2023 and started his 2024 campaign with victory in a valuable handicap at Musselburgh. The seven-year-old failed to beat a rival in the Listed Golden Rose Stakes last month on his first start for 510 days.
Royal Ascot winner Rhythm N Hooves has made the frame in all three of his all-weather starts this season, most recently finishing third behind Paddy’s Day at Newcastle last week. His trainer Robert Cowell also runs Cloud King, who chased home Alligator Alley at Southwell and Chelmsford.
Course and distance scorer Blinky lines up for Antony Brittain, while Mick Appleby saddles Baldomero, who scored over six furlongs at Southwell on his penultimate outing.
