6.15pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 14/01/2017

The second race on the Wolverhampton Saturday card is a competitive eight-runner handicap. See below for our full race preview and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: There are a few horses that an encouraging case could be made for but none more than the consistent ICE ROYAL. He made a good comeback from a lay off last time, finishing strongly to finish 4th, and off the same mark here and back at this course, he has very strong claims. He didn’t get the clearest of runs that day so if getting the luck today he is the one to beat. Sands Chorus has been running well at this venue lately and along with the well-handicapped, class-dropping Magic City, has solid place claims.

1 ICE ROYAL – Returned from a layoff last time with a very solid 4th at Chelmsford, running on well late on in the race. Goes off the same mark today and with that run behind him back at a course where he is 1-1, he is sure to go very well. It is another positive that trainer Jamie Osbourne is +£17.50 to a £1 level stake with his runners in the last two weeks. Lucy Barry takes the ride again claiming a useful 5lbs.

2 JACK OF DIAMONDS – His last five attempts at this course & distance have yielded three wins so he has to be feared dropping down in class. Is on a workable mark on past form, but the worry would be the amount of duck eggs piling up next to his name on the form sheet. Didn’t show anything on fibresand his latest start or at this venue the time before and needs to bounce back. Trainer Roger Teal has an impressive 30% strike rate from 27 runners this season.

3 JACK’S REVENGE – Has two wins from eleven on the all weather but makes his tapeta debut today. Both of them wins on artificial surfaces came way back in 2011, his three most recent all weather starts have been ok without flattering or thinking a win is imminent. The latter of them three was when behind Ice Royal, finishing the worst of the two. Is down to a good mark but others have better claims.

4 BYRES ROAD – Has two wins from four on the tapeta and finished well to win a Class 5 race at Lingfield last time. Has a fairly consistent profile but the gelding steps back up in class and has a 4lb rise in the weights to contend with. Is drawn well in berth two, and is likely to be in the hunt for a place.

5 ICEBUSTER – The stats don’t read well for the Rod Millman runner on this occasion and he is hard to recommend. Has a record of 0-22 on the all weather and his trainer has only one winner from his last thirty-four runners. His best form is over further and is 2lbs higher than his last winning mark, best watched.

6 SANDS CHORUS – Ran a solid race from an uncompromising position last time at Southwell and has to be respected considering he won over this course and distance the time before. Drawn well to attack and will take some pegging back if getting a lead, place chance.

7 IT MUST BE FAITH – Has only raced once over 6f since June 2014, so it is surprising to see him tackle a mile after a break. Is back down to a fair mark after producing a few poor efforts when last seen on the track, but his stamina would be a worry against more experienced milers and usually needs a run after a lay off.

8 MAGIC CITY – Trainer Michael Easterby is in good form of late with a record of 4-15 in the last two weeks. The gelding has been frustrating to follow back on the all weather lately though, being well backed the last twice and finishing well without getting the win (excuses on both occasions). Is on a very enticing mark again considering he has been rated as high as 102 and is down to just 73.

myracing Betting Forecast: Magic City 3/1, Byres Road 7/2, Sands Chorus 4/1, Ice Royal 5/1, Jack’s Revenge 7/1, Must Be Faith 10/1, Jack Of Diamonds 14/1, Icebuster 16/1