1.30pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 22/12/2016

Just seven go to post for this fillies’ handicap over 7f in the first today at Wolverhampton worth £4,205 to the winner. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: This won’t take much winning and it can be best left to NAG’S WAG and Tegara to fight it out. The latter was a good winner two starts ago and he will certainly win more races at this level. He has the beating of the other runners in his bid to follow up but may just get out battled by George Baker’s filly, who was resolute in the finish at Kempton in August and his trainer has sent out plenty of winners here in the last five years. He can just prevail in a tight contest between the front two in the market.

1 First Experience – C&D winner twice three years ago and looks to enjoy this surface with two wins at that track since. 7f winner at Sandown (Good) on turf in a better race in September but 6lb higher mark here makes things tricky. Been off the track for 88 days and others come into this with stronger form at present. Best watched for now.

2 Nag’s Wag – Good strike rate this year with two wins from six runs. Ran a career best to pick up an eight-runner handicap in similar company by a neck in August. Makes his Tapeta debut today up just 4lb for that win. Never run over this far but the manner in which he stays on at the end of his races suggests he will stay and if held onto a bit longer, can land a double. Trainer has a good strike rate at this course and big player.

3 Tegara – Three runs this year including a win when sent off favourite at Kempton over 7f in August. Showed a willing attitude to win that day and despite falling short returning from a break when third of 6 at Newcastle last month, well backed again. Can go well again if getting a stronger gallop in this. Solid claims.

4 Binky Blue – Two time winner over C&D this year but has been well below form in two runs at this level since including when well beaten in fourth last month. Only a 1lb higher now than that last win but has a bit to prove at present.

5 Arize – Landed a bit of an upset in a fillies’ handicap at this course in September when 50/1, staying on strongly to score by a length. Has found it hard to follow up from a 3lb higher mark and this front runner has looked a bit one paced on his last two starts. Looks held by a couple of these for win purposes

6 Smart Mover – Previously trained by John Quinn and showed fair form in the summer, finishing runner up on three occasions on turf up to 7f. Has been out of form in slightly better company in two runs since, and dropped back to this grade. Has a lot to prove on this surface given her only run here over 5f ended in a fifth placed finish and others look to hold a better chance.

7 Miss Goldsmith – Mastercraftsman filly who remains a maiden after six runs but has shown steady form so far at this track in particular (form figures read 4353) and he can maintain his progress and get involved today. 1lb lower than his good third over C&D three weeks ago and faces weaker opposition today. One to note in the market and the one most likely to benefit if one of the two market principals runs poorly.