Tuesday Evening – Wolverhampton & Southwell Preview
Tuesday evening’s racing across Wolverhampton and Southwell features several competitive contests where recent form, favourable race conditions and small movements in the weights could prove decisive. A number of runners return to tracks or distances that clearly suit them, while others arrive having shaped well in recent outings and look capable of progressing further under similar conditions.
The opening race at Wolverhampton (4.23) is a small but interesting handicap over the extended 1m1f and BERKSHIRE SCHMOKIN looks capable of going close again. Richard Hughes’ gelding gained his most recent success over course and distance earlier this month and did so in convincing fashion, travelling strongly before asserting late on. A 5lb rise for that victory looks fair rather than harsh given the way he finished the race and the draw should allow Finley Marsh to secure a handy early position. With proven course form and conditions that clearly suit, he looks capable of following up if reproducing that effort.
The 5.08 race at Southwell could go the way of KING OF YORK, who appears to be progressing nicely on the all-weather. Michael Appleby’s runner shaped well on his most recent start and returns here only a couple of pounds higher, which looks manageable based on that performance. The Southwell Tapeta surface often rewards horses that can maintain a steady gallop and King Of York has shown that ability in recent runs. Billy Loughnane takes the ride and his record on the all-weather continues to improve, which adds further confidence that another strong performance could be forthcoming.
Later on the card at Southwell, the 1m6f handicap at 6.15 could suit DOLLARS DREAM, who has been improving since being stepped up in trip. David Evans’ runner finished runner-up on his last two starts and both efforts suggested he is well suited by staying distances. He competes from virtually the same mark as those runs, which gives him every chance to go one better if maintaining that level. With Rossa Ryan booked to ride and the yard continuing in decent form, he looks capable of making another bold bid.
The 7.15 race at Southwell is an interesting middle-distance contest and CALIBAN looks capable of making his presence felt. Andrew Balding’s lightly raced gelding has had only a handful of starts and still appears to be improving with experience. He impressed when making all in a Kempton novice over this sort of trip earlier in the year and now switches to handicap company with the potential for further progress. The Balding yard continues to send out winners and the horse’s unexposed profile suggests he may still be ahead of his mark.
The 7.30 sprint at Wolverhampton could be run at a strong pace with several runners likely to go forward early, which may play to the strengths of SISTERS IN THE SKY. Adrian Wintle’s mare has been competing well in similar contests and returns here slightly lower than she was a couple of runs ago. Tyler Heard knows the horse well and from a workable draw he should be able to settle just behind the likely leaders before making his challenge late on. If the pace proves demanding up front, she could be finishing strongly.
The 1m1f handicap at Wolverhampton (8.00) features LAW SUPREME, who looks a solid contender to add to his recent record. Ian Williams’ gelding has improved noticeably since cheekpieces were fitted and his most recent victory over course and distance has worked out well, with horses behind him winning since. He now returns 3lb higher, but that rise may underestimate the strength of that form. With the distance and track clearly suiting him and Callum Shepherd again in the saddle, he looks capable of going close once more.
The final race on the Wolverhampton card (8.30) could go the way of WOODRAFF, who looks capable of building on a much improved recent effort. Marco Botti’s runner hinted at a return to form last time and now competes from a very similar mark, suggesting the handicapper has given him another chance. Hollie Doyle takes the ride and her ability to judge pace around Wolverhampton often proves crucial in races like this. If Woodraff can build on his latest performance, he looks capable of ending the evening on a winning note.
Selections
16:23 Wolverhampton – Berkshire Schmokin – 1pt Win
17:08 Southwell – King Of York – 1pt Win
18:15 Southwell – Dollars Dream – 1pt Win
19:15 Southwell – Caliban – 1pt Win
19:30 Wolverhampton – Sisters In The Sky – 1pt Each Way
20:00 Wolverhampton – Law Supreme – 1pt Win
20:30 Wolverhampton – Woodraff – 1pt Win
