Friday Evening – Wolverhampton, Southwell & Dundalk Preview
Friday’s racing across Wolverhampton, Southwell and Dundalk provides a busy evening of handicaps where recent form, race conditions and small movements in the weights could prove decisive. A number of runners return to tracks that suit them well, while others arrive after encouraging efforts and appear capable of improving further under similar conditions.
16:25 Wolverhampton – Charlie’s Choice
The early race at Wolverhampton looks a competitive affair but Charlie’s Choice appears capable of going close again. The gelding has been running in very good form on the all-weather and returns here after a sequence of strong efforts that suggest he remains in peak condition.
Trained by Andrew Balding and likely partnered by David Probert, he lines up carrying around 9st 7lb, which is roughly 3lb higher than when successful recently. That rise does not look excessive considering the manner of that win and the return to Wolverhampton should suit his running style.
With several rivals arriving with less consistent recent form, Charlie’s Choice looks capable of producing another bold run.
Bet
1 pt win
17:05 Wolverhampton – Beauzon
The 17:05 contest could present a good opportunity for Beauzon. David O’Meara’s gelding has been a regular performer in competitive sprint handicaps and returns here with Daniel Tudhope in the saddle.
He carries a similar weight to his most recent outing and the drop back into this type of race looks suitable. Wolverhampton’s Tapeta surface often suits horses that travel well just behind the pace and Beauzon tends to run his best races when ridden that way.
With the stable continuing in decent form and Tudhope’s experience around the track, Beauzon looks capable of playing a major role.
Bet
1 pt win
17:40 Wolverhampton – USS Charleston
USS Charleston may represent the value angle in the 17:40 race. Trained by Stuart Williams and likely ridden by Marco Ghiani, the gelding has been competing in similar races and now runs from a slightly lower mark than earlier in the winter.
He carries around 9st 4lb, which is roughly 2lb less than he was carrying a few starts ago, and that small drop could help make him more competitive. If the early pace proves strong he may benefit from being delivered late.
Given the competitive nature of the race, USS Charleston could be one of the runners finishing best.
Bet
1 pt each way
17:45 Southwell – Legal Reform
The Southwell race at 17:45 could go the way of Legal Reform. James Ferguson trains the runner and Daniel Muscutt is expected to take the ride.
Legal Reform returns to the Tapeta surface carrying roughly the same weight as his previous outing and the conditions look very similar to those of his better runs. Ferguson’s horses often perform well when returned quickly after a solid effort and Muscutt knows the horse well.
If able to settle early and maintain a steady gallop, Legal Reform looks capable of going very close.
Bet
1 pt win
18:10 Southwell – Tribal Wisdom
The 18:10 race may suit Tribal Wisdom, who returns to Southwell after some respectable recent efforts.
Trained by George Boughey and likely ridden by Billy Loughnane, the horse competes carrying around 9st 2lb, only a pound higher than his latest start. Boughey’s runners have been performing well on the all-weather and Loughnane continues to ride plenty of winners on this surface.
If able to track the leaders before producing a late effort, Tribal Wisdom could reach the frame.
Bet
1 pt each way
18:20 Southwell – Filly One
Filly One looks one of the more solid contenders in the 18:20 race. The filly is trained by Charlie Johnston and Ben Curtis is likely to be in the saddle.
She competes carrying around 9st 5lb, a similar burden to her latest run, and her recent efforts suggest she remains capable at this level. The Johnston yard tends to do well with runners over this type of trip and the Southwell surface should suit her running style.
If maintaining the level she showed last time, Filly One could prove difficult to beat.
Bet
1 pt win
18:30 Dundalk – Voice Of Reason
Over at Dundalk, Voice Of Reason makes appeal in the 18:30 race. Trained by Joseph O’Brien and likely ridden by Declan McDonogh, the gelding has been holding his form well in similar contests.
He carries around 9st 8lb, which is roughly the same weight he competed from last time, and Dundalk’s Polytrack surface has suited him in the past. The O’Brien stable continues to send out winners and McDonogh’s experience around Dundalk is another positive.
With the race conditions appearing suitable, Voice Of Reason looks capable of running another strong race.
Bet
1 pt win
18:50 Southwell – Saffron Dandy
The 18:50 race at Southwell could suit Saffron Dandy. The runner has been competing in similar races recently and now lines up from a slightly lower mark than earlier in the season.
Trained by Ivan Furtado and partnered by Marco Ghiani, he carries around 9st 3lb and that drop in the weights could help him become more competitive against several rivals who remain higher in the handicap.
If able to settle into a rhythm early on the Tapeta surface, Saffron Dandy could be finishing strongly.
Bet
1 pt each way
19:00 Dundalk – Summer Island
The Dundalk race at 19:00 could go the way of Summer Island, who has been running consistently in recent outings.
The horse is trained by Ado McGuinness with Adam Caffrey likely taking the ride. He competes carrying roughly the same weight as his previous start and the Dundalk surface has suited him well in the past.
If able to travel comfortably just behind the leaders before making his move in the straight, Summer Island looks capable of being involved in the finish.
Bet
1 pt win
19:10 Wolverhampton – Ramon Di Loria
Ramon Di Loria could be interesting in the 19:10 race at Wolverhampton. Trained by Marco Botti and likely ridden by Hollie Doyle, the horse returns to a track where he has run well before.
He carries around 9st 6lb, which represents little change from his most recent outing, and the conditions appear suitable. Botti’s runners often perform well on the all-weather and Doyle’s ability to judge pace around Wolverhampton can be an advantage.
If able to produce his effort turning for home, Ramon Di Loria could be competitive.
Bet
1 pt each way
19:20 Southwell – Relevant Range
The 19:20 contest at Southwell could suit Relevant Range. Trained by Michael Appleby and likely ridden by Alistair Rawlinson, the runner has been performing steadily in recent races.
He competes carrying around 9st 1lb, which is slightly less than he was carrying a couple of starts ago. That small drop in weight could make a difference in a competitive handicap.
With the Appleby yard in good form and the Tapeta surface likely to suit, Relevant Range could be capable of running well at a decent price.
Bet
1 pt each way
Selections
16:25 Wolverhampton – Charlie’s Choice – 1 pt win
17:05 Wolverhampton – Beauzon – 1 pt win
17:40 Wolverhampton – USS Charleston – 1 pt each way
17:45 Southwell – Legal Reform – 1 pt win
18:10 Southwell – Tribal Wisdom – 1 pt each way
18:20 Southwell – Filly One – 1 pt win
18:30 Dundalk – Voice Of Reason – 1 pt win
18:50 Southwell – Saffron Dandy – 1 pt each way
19:00 Dundalk – Summer Island – 1 pt win
19:10 Wolverhampton – Ramon Di Loria – 1 pt each way
19:20 Southwell – Relevant Range – 1 pt each way
