6.30pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 26/04/2016

IN SUMMARY: FARKLE MINKUS (10/1 Each Way) ended his 2yo campaign with a couple of low-key runs in valuable, big-field events but is in calmer waters for today’s AW debut and his unlucky fourth in a Hamilton nursery in September gives a strong indication he can win off his current mark. An obvious danger is King Cole, who appeared to have something left in the tank when winning a 5f Chelmsford maiden on his debut in October, but the handicapper seldom makes things easy for once-raced maiden winners and this event is a lot more competitive. Parkour won over C&D on his last two 2yo outings for Jeremy Noseda and will be in the thick of things if returning from his winter break in similar form for Marco Botti.

1 Farkle Minkus – Readily won Ayr maiden (6f, good to soft) on second 2yo start and encountered all sorts of traffic problems when respectable fourth in good-quality Hamilton nursery (6f, good to soft) on next outing; found things tough in valuable events on last couple of outings but has sights lowered for seasonal/AW debut; sports first-time cheekpieces; one to consider.

2 Parkour – Improved to win C&D maiden for Jeremy Noseda in October, his fourth start, and followed-up in good style on nursery debut back here the following month; hit with 9lb rise for that but clearly likes it here and further progress possible if fully revved up on first outing for Marco Botti.

3 Red Artist – Didn’t make the progress that might have been hoped for after his winning debut at Newcastle (6f, good to firm) in June and was comfortably held in Ascot nursery when last in action 291 days ago; remains unexposed but some of the others have less to prove.

4 Curtain Call – Two wins from four 2yo starts, the more recent when making virtually all in Haydock nursery (5f, good to soft) in October; untested on an artificial surface and failed to convince stamina-wise on her two previous attempts at 6f, but has scope to make further progress this season.

5 King Cole – Cost $115,000 as a yearling and overcame early greeness to justify odds-on favouritism on debut at Chelmsford (5f, AW) in October, quickening to lead inside the final furlong and winning quite comfortably; faces much stronger opposition in this handicap but it’s impossible to gauge the limit of his ability.

6 Kyllukey – Belatedly opened account in small-field Lingfield maiden (6f, AW) in February, his ninth start, and then followed up with another narrow success in C&D handicap last month; evidently in good heart but latest 5lb rise may leave him vulnerable against some unexposed rivals here.

7 The Commendatore – Sold out of John Gosden stable for 20,000gns after winning a maiden at the fifth attempt, at Lingfield (6f, AW) in January; goes without blinkers (worn on last three starts) on stable/handicap debut and probably needs to improve to win this competitive event.

8 Thee And Me – Has gained both wins here, the more recent in 0-70 classified over today’s trip on seasonal/stable debut this month; soft ground a possible excuse when soundly beaten in 5.7f Bath handicap 11 days ago, but it will be surprising if there aren’t better-treated rivals in this line-up.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/2 King Cole, 4/1 Parkour, 11/2 Curtain Call, 7/1 Red Artist, Kyllukey, The Commendatore, 8/1 Farkle Minkus, 25/1 Thee And Me