5.20pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 06/02/2017

10 handicappers go to post for the penultimate race of the day at Wolverhampton, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Dean Ivory’s SECRET BIRD has been in cracking form of late and can make it 3-6 since switching back to the all weather surface. Winning twice this season, at Chelmsford and over C&D, the five year old by Arcano continues to look progressive of late and will take some pegging back off a mark of 62 which is certainly not out of reach. Stall 3 is a gift and he’s likely to be tough to beat with Lulu Stanford claiming a useful 7lb, and he can beat off the likely challenge from K’Gari Spirit, who won on her penultimate start and blew her chance with a slow start on her latest run.

1 POWERFUL DREAM – Hasn’t been disgraced two starts out of her last three, finishing a good third over C&D on her penultimate start in November. However she wasn’t as good when last seen when brushed aside at Lingfield in December (5f, Std), and the headgear is reached for by connections for the first time. Still 2lb above her last winning mark and others certainly do make more appeal, especially as she’s drawn in stall 7. Likely best watched and only can be given place claims at present unless the headgear has a very favourable effect.

2 MAMBO SPIRIT – Won three starts ago at Chelmsford in October off a 4lb lower mark (6f, Std) but has been very poor the last twice, slowly away on both occasions here over the six furlong trip. On his latest start he was incredibly slow to leave the gates and his chance was gone almost straight away. He’s won off higher marks in the past but at the age of thirteen he’s unlikely to be able to hit those heights again and can only be watched as there is no guarantee he breaks on terms.

3 DESERT STRIKE – Eleven year old who won on the all weather at Lingfield four starts ago (6f, Std), but has been very poor the last thrice and is still 2lb above that mark. Now in the veteran stage of his career, it is hard to get excited about his chances and he’s unlikely to get across to the lead from stall 9. Others make far more appeal and likely best watched today.

4 K’GARI SPIRIT – Inconsistent four year old who still has time on his side and ran on to lead on the post in January (5f, Std) at Chelmsford. Raised 5lb, he struggled at Chelmsford on Thursday over the same C&D and finished a beaten fifth of nine after missing the break. On the same mark again which will require more for win purposes today and needs to break on terms which he wasn’t able to do last time out. Stall 8 certainly isn’t the prime position to be in and although he has place claims if this doesn’t come too soon, others do make more appeal.

5 SECRET BIRD – Has been running very well on his last four starts, starting the sequence when winning at Chelmsford in November (6f, Std). Despite a 3lb rise, he was a easy winner over C&D in December after making all and hasn’t been disgraced the last twice, placing on both occasions when not beaten far. Up another 3lb but he continues to look progressive at present and this five year old is likely to be capable of much better yet and another bold bid looks likely for Dean Ivory. Lulu Stanford takes off a handy 5lb and he should take all the catching from Stall 3.

6 NOBLE ASSET – Last victory came in September 2014 off a mark of 76, and despite now being on a mark of 62 he hasn’t managed to take advantage. 0-9 on the all weather overall and hasn’t been close to winning this season, though he was improved when finishing fourth over C&D in January. Ran on well that day so does have possibilities with Luke Morris taking the ride, but can only be given each way claims with his overall record taken into account and others looking far more progressive.

7 ANNIE SALTS – Very inconsistent sort for Chris Dwyer, well beaten on her penultimate start at Lingfield over the five furlong trip in December, though a month later she wasn’t beaten at all far to finish second over the same C&D. Hard to catch right and impossible to say she’ll back up that latest effort off a 1lb higher mark today with Joe Fanning taking the ride. Has stall 2 and this mark is only 1lb above her last winning mark so has no excuses and all the tools to go well, but rates as a risky proposition and caution is advised.

8 CEE JAY – 0-14 overall though he’s a regular for minors honours, finishing third over the six furlong trip here in January (6f, Std). Now on a 1lb lower mark but dropping down to 5f is a question mark with all his placings come at the 6f trip. He’s also drawn out in the car park in stall 10 and when all things are considered this seems an uphill task for Robert Cowell’s four year old. Possible place claims if this turns into a truly run affair but remains vulnerable for win purposes.

9 PEARL NOIR – Not necessarily disgraced the last twice at Southwell, finishing third over the five furlong trip on Thursday though he never looked particularly threatening. 4-48 overall on the all weather and his previous visits to this venue have not been fruitful, which has to be a big concern. If remaining in good form under this 7lb claimer he could be an interesting each way angle for Scott Dixon but he is vulnerable for win purposes with lots of progressive horses around him.

10 NORA BUTT – Has been tumbling down the weights of late and is off a basement mark of 53 on the all weather considering she’s placed off a mark of 69 on the turf as recently as July 2016. The reason she is on this mark though is due to her performances on this surface, struggling to beat rivals at massive odds on four occasions this season. Has never taken to the synthetic surfaces and impossible to recommend on that basis alone.