Andy Newton’s Wolverhampton Friday Night Live Horse Racing Best Bets

This Friday sees the first of the new FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE fixtures, with all NINE races from Wolverhampton being shown LIVE on ITV4 and Sky Sports Racing. 

Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips From Wolverhampton: Friday 9th January 2026 

**NOTE** This Wolverhampton card has been ABANDONED due to snow

The ITV Racing schedule will begin this week with seven (of the nine) LIVE races from Wolverhampton’s new Friday Night Live series – with the action starting at 4:25pm and running to 8:30pm.

This concept has been created by Arena Racing Company and in partnership with ITV and Invade, who are an events and media company focusing on sporting trips for students.

In between races (and after the last) there will be DJ sets to keep the young crowd entertained – all aimed at getting a younger audience into the sport.

Think it will work? We’ll find out with four more fixtures between now and the end of March.

With the coverage hosted by Megan Nicholls and analysis coming from Adele Mulrennan and Leonna Mayor, and commentary by Stewart Machin.

So, as well as the DJ action, there are seven races to take in and so Andy Newton gives you his 1-2-3 Wolverhampton horse racing tips, plus some key trainer stats to take into each race.

Plus also see Andy’s daily horse racing tips and cheat sheet – including his NAP, NB, Lay Of The Day and hot trainers list.

❌ Tonight's card at @WolvesRaces has been cancelled due to snow. pic.twitter.com/doIAGx4gZF

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 9, 2026

Wolverhampton Horse Racing Tips: SEVEN Races LIVE On ITV4

4:25 – SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Div I) Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 6f Sky

It would be great to see the old-boy Brian The Snail win at the age of 12 and he’s one of just three CD winner in the race.

The others being Some Nightmare, who will be ridden by the in-form Gina Mangan and Gustav Graves.

Trainer Ross Burdon has a 40% SR with his older horses here and runs Waistcoat, who is respected – but is still looking for his first career win on the AW.

But the call is CARGIN BHUI to go well after running a head second at the track just seven days ago.

That was his first run since October, so is sure to come on for it and having been rated 80 only last Feb, his current mark of 63 looks more than attractive.

🥇CARGIN BHUI
🥈WAISTCOAT 
🥉SOME NIGHTMARE

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

5:00 – SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Div II) Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 6f Sky 

Marco Botti has his horses in good order at the moment, so his CD winner Addarella is noted.

But the niggle is the yard are only 1-49 here at the track with their 4+ year-olds.

Hugo Palmer also does well here (24%) and runs Cast No Shadow.

However, the worry for him is the step up in trip after taking a hold over 5f last time. Plus, has only run once over 6f (8th of 8).

Invincible Melody has been knocking on the door but is still 0-15.

Court Of Session gets in off a low weight upped in grade, but heads here 23 runs without a win. On a plus that win came off a mark of 87 and he’s now rated 55!

So, the safer call looks to stick with the in-form ZOULU WARRIOR, who is on a three-timer.

He’s up slightly in grade and is up 4lbs for his last win, which came over this CD at the end of last month.

But looked to have a bit more up his sleeve and the Main camp also boast a solid 24% SR with their older horses at the track.

🥇ZOULU WARRIOR
🥈COURT OF SESSION 
🥉INVINCIBLE MELODY 

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

5:30 – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap Cl3 (4yo+ 0-90) 6f ITV4

Another decent chance for the Heather Main camp here with Zoulu Chief, who was an easy three length winner last time out.

Is up 7lbs for that win and also up in grade but still looks a big player.

CD winner Carbine Harvester is another to note from the powerful William Haggas yard.

While any market support for the Clive Cox runner Dragon Leader should be noted with the stable having a 24% SR here with their 4+ year-olds.

Kullazain was a good winner here 10 days ago too, but the horse in third that day COACHELLO caught the eye – running on well.

This Mark Loughnane runner is also 5lbs better off this time for two lengths and should be fitter with that last run coming off two months off.

🥇COACHELLO
🥈ZOULU CHIEF 
🥉CARBINE HARVESTER

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

6:00 – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap Cl3 (4yo+ 0-90) 6f ITV4

Gemmari was an easy 6 1/2 winner over 1m6f last time and despite a 5lb penalty and a drop in trip (1m4f) looks a player for the Hannon yard.

Nivelle’s Magic has a consistent profile but is still 10lbs higher than her last win.

Jodhpur Blue was fourth last time at Chelmsford over 1m2f, but the worry for him is the step up in trip – but the Ian Williams stable are in good form.

FRANCESCO BARACCA is the only other recent winner in the field though – having won well here at the end of December.

And escapes a penalty for that as it was in an apprentice race – Jack Nicholls, who rode the last day can also claim 2lbs extra this time.

Of the rest, with a solid 24% SR at the track with their older horses, the James Owen runner Market House is also respected.

He should also be better now upped in trip after getting out-paced over shorter the last day.

🥇FRANCESCO BARACCA
🥈MARKET HOUSE
🥉GEMMARI 

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

6:30 – SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 6f ITV4

Diamondonthehill and Follow Your Heart were third and fourth here earlier in the week and should make their presence felt.

While any market interest in the unexposed Bela Sonata for the Oliver Cole yard should be noted.

She was a tidy winner when last seen at Newbury in July, but is up 8lbs.

Callum Rodriguez rides and he often does well here at the track.

Dosman once ran the classy Ombudsman to 2 3/4 lengths in June 2024 but has rather lost his way since. If he can find that level again would be interesting at a big price.

But BEST RATE should be in the mix too and is a proven CD winner – he’s been running well of late and from stall 1 has the perfect pitch to break well.

The Hannon yard have also been amongst the winners recently and Sean Levey is a plus in the saddle.

Metaverse for David Menuisierm, who has a 25% SR here with this 4+ years-olds and Clive Cox’s Mythical Composer are also shortlisted – the pair were first and second earlier this season at Kempton.

🥇BEST RATE
🥈METAVERSE
🥉BELA SONATA

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

7:00 – SBK: No Casino Just Sports Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 7f ITV4

Al Rufaa is 25 runs without a win, but that came off a mark of 82 and is now rated 74. Connections also try the first-time cheekpieces here and Callum Rodriguez is a good jockey booking.

The 10yo Revolutionise won well last time and is up 4lbs – this will be his 88th career run (12 wins).

Ziggy’s Condor has been running consistently this season. But is 14 runs without a win and the step up to 7f would be the small worry.

Star Of Mali, Bill Plumb and Vince Lombardi are others to consider, but this could be another one for the Heather Main yard.

They run THE CARIBBEAN, who won well here last time. Is up in grade slightly but a 4lbs hike for that win looks fair to (67) considering he was rated 90 just two years ago.

🥇THE CARIBBEAN
🥈ZIGGY’S CONDOR
🥉BILL PLUMB

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

7:30 – Tipping Tom On SBK Bet Feed Handicap Cl5 (4yo+ 0-75) 7f ITV4

Monsieur Kodi has hit the top four in all his last six runs and is sure to go well with Warren Fentiman booked to claim a handy 5lbs too.

But the horse is 10 runs without a win.

CD winners Simply Blue (Owen) and Ash Wednesday (Main) are noted too from yards that do well in these sorts of races.

And from gate one Arantes Nascimento can go well having run second to Revolutionise (runs in previous race) last time.

But HE’S A GENTLEMAN is chanced for trainer Hugo Palmer, having fluffed the start a bit the last day.

Before that he’d been running well at here at Wolves and Southwell, plus is also back in grade here (C5).

Providing this grey gets a better start can get involved.

🥇HE’S A GENTLEMAN
🥈ARANTES NASCIMENTO
🥉SIMPLY BLUE 

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

8:00 – SBK Betting Podcast Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-80) 1m½f ITV4

The Tony Carroll yard started 2026 well and run Towerlands here, but after a string of wins the handicapper might have just caught up with him now.

Commander Of Life won well at Chelmsford last time and is only 4lbs higher – however, still needs a career-best off this new mark.

Benacre, Stellenbosch and CD winner Gaiety Musical are respected too, as is North View for the in-form Stuart Williams yard.

The last-named has switched yards from the George Boughey camp and the form of his last second to Bella Perla looks okay. With that horse winning again since.

But the call is BORGI, who was running on well here last time over this trip to suggest his turn is not far away.

Is also dropped a pound for that run and is still 6lbs lower than his last win.

The Sean Woods yard also do well at the track, with a 24% SR with their 4+ year-olds.

🥇BORGI
🥈NORTH VIEW
🥉BENACRE

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈

8:30 – Bet Responsibly With SBK Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 1m1½f ITV4

CD winner Mr Baloo looks well-treated off 84 if he can bounce back to form – but the Hannon yard are going okay at the moment so that’s possible.

ADVANCING won here by an easy two lengths last time on his first run for the Marco Botti yard. Is up 7lbs this time but has to be noted.

He looks the one to beat and is very much respected, with the Botti team also in good form at present.

Is also up a furlong from last time and with that coming on his first run for the stable should have more to offer.

The eye will also be drawn to Tonal, who has won four of his last five.

He’s a big player, despite being up another 5lbs here and draw 11 not being ideal.

Arcadian Heights and Urban Road are other CD winners to respect.

But My Fermoy might just be the one to have more improvement to come. He can give the pick the most to think about.

This Denis Coakley-trained 4yo has only had six career runs (one win). But ran a blinder in a much better race at Lingfield last time.

That came in a Class 2 event over 1m2f and has been dropped a pound and also two grades.

🥇ADVANCING
🥈MY FERMOY
🥉MR BALOO 

KEY TRAINER/JOCKEY STATS 📈