4.00pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 23/01/2017

Seven stayers go to post for the fifth race of the day at Wolves, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Start Seven and Eurato are likely to be closely matched again but this can go to PERSPICACE. Better known as a hurdler, he doesn’t look badly treated off a mark of 75 and he’s ran well on the all weather in the past, so if running to the best of his hurdling form he’d have a huge chance of winning today. He’ll be a strong stayer at this trip and has to be respected with the David Pipe team starting to hit form.

1 PERSPICACE – Better known as a hurdler but hasn’t been disgraced on the flat in four attempts on the all weather, finishing second in similar looking race at Kempton off today’s mark, albeit in September 2014 (1m 4f, Std). If running to the best of his hurdling form he’d have to have a huge chance of winning this, as he will stay well and doesn’t look badly treated off 75. Leading chance with the David Pipe starting to hit form at present.

2 UNCLE BERNIE – Four time winner at Wolverhampton including over C&D, with his latest win coming in November 2014 off a mark 8lb lower than this (2m, Std). Returned from a near two year absence when finishing second over C&D, showing he retains ability and races off a 1lb higher mark today. Doesn’t seem obviously well treated however and was beaten six lengths that day, so hard to give him more than place claims until his mark drops further.

3 OBBOORR – Had some useful form posted including a decent third at Newcastle on his penultimate start (1m 4f, Std), staying on well so this step up in trip should suit. Only 2lb higher than his last winning mark but hasn’t really threatened for the win on any of his four starts since which is a concern so likely to have nothing more than place claims today.

4 GABRIAL THE TERROR – Five time winner here, though that last win came back in March ten starts ago (1m 4f, Std), though he’s now slipped to a mark only 3lb higher than it. He had excuses on his first start for the Ian Williams team and is likely capable of much better now on a much fairer mark and has to have at least place claims.

5 EURATO – C&D winner who has a good strike rate at this trip, with his latest win coming three starts ago at Chelmsford (1m 6f, Std). Hasn’t been disgraced on two starts since including a close second behind Start Seven over C&D two weeks ago, meeting him on marginally better terms today. That was his first start for seven months and will likely post a much better today and can throw down another stern challenge, so has to be respected.

6 START SEVEN – Clearly prefers the all weather and made a winning start for the Jamie Osbourne when running on well to win over C&D two weeks ago. Raised 3lb but lightly raced for a five year old and surely capable of better, and has to be considered a main danger today with Adam Kirby retaining the ride. Both parties are in form and it is hard to not see him running a good race today off a mark of 70.

7 BAN SHOOF – Winner at the 1m 1f trip, though his last win came in April and has mainly struggled since. New headgear goes on and up in trip which is a question mark as he doesn’t look an obvious candidate to benefit from a longer trip, looking a non stayer on his only attempt at 1m 4f. Mark of 73 looks manageable but is best watched with the stamina doubts.