2.30pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 09/01/2017

A Class 6 Apprentice handicap in the second race at Wolverhampton today which has attracted twelve runners for the first prize of £2,264. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Moss Street could go well under Martin Harley who has been in fine form recently but he still needs to prove himself on this surface. Rainbow Lad has gone close on his last two C&D starts and can go close in this but MY RENAISSANCE comes into this off the back of a good win over C&D eighteen days ago and the manner in which he won that day suggests he will be tough to beat from only a 5lb higher mark.

1 My Renaissance – Lightly raced last year with only three runs and scored readily in a twelve runner handicap over C&D last month, staying on well to score by 1 ¾ lengths. Ran well twice before that at Newcastle and Southwell and unlucky not to finish closer in both of those runs given he met trouble in running. The jockey booking of Adam Kirby is a big plus for this given he rides Lingfield so well and not hard to see him going well again from a mark of 54 given his recent form and he looks a big player with the yard in good form.

2 Smoky Hill – Modest form so far with only one win from 21 runs. Had cheekpieces on for the first time when well beaten in seventh of 12 over C&D two days ago and plenty of improvement needed if turned out again so quickly. NON-RUNNER.

3 Moss Street – Dual performer who moved to Conor Dore after being trained by John Flint for whom he won six times including three last year over hurdles. Has failed to fire on his last two All Weather starts and well beaten at odds of 33/1 when seventh of 12 over C&D two days ago (Smoky Hill fifth). His last flat win came in September at Brighton (Good/Firm) over shorter. Step up in trip today shouldn’t inconvenience him and one to note in the betting with the booking of Martin Harley a plus given he has been operating at a strike rate of 33% in the last fortnight. Place claims if putting his best foot forward on this surface.

4 Senor George – Has been largely out of form since landing a Class 6 handicap at Bath (Firm) in August 2015 over 1m5f and only ninth of 11 in similar race over C&D fifth one days ago when he didn’t get the clearest of runs. Has tumbled down the weights but likely to be vulnerable to an improver today.

5 Paddy’s Rock – “Doesn’t always help himself at the start of his races” according to trainer Ann Duffield for whom he won twice in this grade and on a long losing run of eighteen runs for this yard since his last win at Hamilton three summers ago. Well beaten over this C&D twenty four days ago and plenty to find at present.

6 Happy Jack – Only won once in twenty two starts on the flat and that came over C&D last March when trained by Michael Wigham. Only placed once in seven runs since then when a runner up from a 2lb higher mark over C&D following that win and wasn’t beaten far when fourth of 5 in a Seller over C&D last month. Entitled to go well again from this mark but not one for maximum faith at present.

7 All Dolled Up – Still a maiden after eleven runs and a fair third of 5 in a Seller over C&D last month on his first start for this yard. Has been soundly beaten from a similar mark on his last three starts in Ireland. Likely to be another big price for this race with others looking more persuasive for win purposes.

8 Tred Softly – Lightly raced maiden who seems to be getting the hang of things after two good third placed finishes recently at Southwell and Newcastle up to 1m4f. Looks a quirky sort and unexposed at this level. No reason to think he can’t improve further but the yard has been a little quiet of late and his placed form isn’t anything to get too excited about.

9 Sweeping Rock – Fair form in his last seven hurdles runs without winning since moving to John Spearing from Marcus Tregoning over two years ago and made his first start in this sphere for over two years last month over C&D when well beaten in tenth of 12. Has placed form at Kempton two years ago from a 10lb higher mark and seen his flat mark tuumble since then given he has had only two runs on the level. Will need to have improved a bundle from that last run in order to get involved in this and easy enough to overlook for now.

10 Rainbow Lad – Won a twelve runner event at Beverley (Good/Firm) in June but has struggled upped in grade and put up 3lb since then. Back down to that last winning mark today and yard going okay on the All Weather of late with four winners from 30 runners. Not beaten that far on his last two starts over C&D and interesting especially if the money comes for him.

11 Smiley Bagel – Lightly raced maiden and showed his best form with three third placed finishes in similar handicaps in this grade since April last year (behind Moss Street at Brighton in September) before flopping in a handicap at Kempton in November, finishing eighth of 11. Still unexposed at this level and jockey and trainer in good form. Not completely out of it but needs to bounce back from that last run attempting this trip for the first time and others preferred on this occasion.

12 Right Madam – Long standing maiden with no wins in twenty two runs. Not beaten far by the reopposing My Renaissance over C&D eighteen days ago but doesn’t look as progressive as that one and has been well beaten on her last three starts over C&D. Tries blinkers today and hard to envisage her getting close enough to win today.