Wolverhampton opens a new era for British racing with the first Sunday evening fixture under floodlights on January 7.
The £160,000 programme is the first of six such fixtures on the all-weather in early 2024 and has been well supported, with 91 runners across the eight races.
Newmarket trainer Stuart Williams has three contenders on the card, led by Diomed Spirit in the feature Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap (7.30pm) over five furlongs.
Diomed Spirit is on a roll after winning his last three starts, following up a course and distance success in early October with a pair of victories at Chelmsford over the minimum trip.
Stable-mate Conquistador makes a quick reappearance at Wolverhampton in the same contest, having finished sixth over six furlongs last weekend. The dual all-weather scorer was third in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot for George Boughey.
Williams said: “Diomed Spirit has been in good form of late, winning his last three.
He has gone up in the handicap and is up in grade again. He is a big horse who is finally growing into himself, although it has taken him a while to get there. He has a nice draw in stall 4, Marco [Ghiani] knows him well and I would be hopeful of another good run.
“I think coming back to five furlongs will suit Conquistador as he did not quite get home over six last time, albeit he was drawn wide. He has not been drawn ideally either this time and will have some work to do from stall 8. He has gone down in the weights a little bit. We are still getting to know him, as he only came to us at the end of October, but he has been training nicely.”
Linda Perratt saddles two contenders of her own, including stable debutant Moon Flight. The four-year-old captured a novice over the course and distance in November on his final start for Sir Mark Prescott.
Former high-class juvenile Streamline returns from a lengthy lay-off for the same stable. Successful in the 2019 G3 Sirenia Stakes for Clive Cox, the seven-year-old has not raced since July 2022.
Others to note include top-weight Zarzyni (David & Nicola Barron), who finished fourth in the Dash at Epsom during the summer, and recent Southwell runner-up Strong Johnson (Paul Midgley).
Al Marmar lines up for Williams in the Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap (7.00pm) over seven furlongs. Twice successful for Andrew Balding, the son of Kodiac was an eye-catching fifth in a similar contest at Chelmsford in early December.
Williams said: “Al Marmar ran an encouraging race last time. He is another horse who has not been with us long and we are still getting to grips with him. The seven furlongs around Wolverhampton should suit, although he could have been drawn a bit better than stall 10.”
With only 2lb separating the 12 runners, lightly-raced Smoky Mountain looks a strong contender for Charlie Fellowes having been narrowly denied over the course and distance last time out. Richard Fahey’s Rock Opera tackles this trip for the first time following a six-furlong success at the track in November.
Wolverhampton regular Master Of Combat (Kevin Frost) headlines three last-time-out winners aiming to double up in the Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap (6.30pm). Ernie’s Valentine (David Loughnane) and Cosmos Raj (David O’Meara) also line up in the extended mile contest on the back of victories.
Godolphin filly Dream Of Hope (Charlie Appleby) sets the standard in the Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Fillies' Novice Stakes (5.30pm) after a promising third at Lingfield Park.
Hail The Flag (Archie Watson), who comes from the same family as Stradivarius, is one of three newcomers in the field.
