7.45pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 02/12/2017

IN SUMMARY: It’s worth taking a chance on the fitness of PERFECT CRACKER in this hot handicap. He’s been off the track since March but he brings strong form into this race, including over C&D, and he can take advantage of a reasonable handicap mark. Towerlands Park will push him all the way now dropped in grade and tried in first-time cheekpieces.

1 FAYEZ – Seeks a double today following a slim victory at Lingfield last time out in a similar handicap. He’s been raised 5lbs for the success which leaves him on a career high mark and stall 12 makes life more difficult. Best watched today.

2 BREX DRAGO – Finished a neck behind Fayez last time out and he’s weighted to reverse the form today. The first-time blinkers had a big impact last time out and he’ll be dangerous off this mark if they have the same impact again.

3 BATTLE OF MARATHON – Has been on the downgrade for a while but he wasn’t far away from causing an upset off this mark just 3 days ago. He finished third of 13 in a strong handicap and a repeat of that effort would see him go very close from stall 1.

4 TOWERLANDS PARK – Never featured in a big-field handicap at Doncaster last time out but his placed effort at Newbury entitles him to respect. The application of first-time cheekpieces could be the key to him and the switch to the All-Weather is a massive positive with two wins on the sand previously. The presence of Richard Kingscote also raises interest.

5 PERFECT CRACKER – Lightly-raced this year and hasn’t been seen since placing off this mark over C&D back in March. If he’s fit off a break he could be a danger having placed in a Class 2 event over C&D in December and that effort could see him home in-front.

6 EMENEM – Has something to find with both Fayez and Brex Drago on the form of their run at Lingfield last month. A mark of 90 looks fair at present but others bring stronger form into the race and he’s best watched over 1m 4f today.

7 SWIFT EMPEROR – Remains 2lbs above his last winning mark which came when well-supported in a Class 4 handicap in March. He’s posted some mixed efforts since and he remains slightly too high in the weights. Best watched.

8 PENSAX BOY – Won a Class 4 handicap at Wolverhampton earlier in the year off a 4lb lower mark. He was well-beaten in a Class 3 handicap at Sandown over a mile and connections step him right up in trip today. Best watched on his first attempt over 1m 4f.

9 FIRST FLIGHT – Steadily slipping through the weights since arriving at Heather Main’s yard although he did post a strong effort in a decent handicap earlier in the year. He’s down another 3lbs today but others make more appeal on these terms.

10 ALEJANDRO – Something of a class sensitive type as he struggles to win above Class 4 company for David Loughnane. His form is solid but a mark of 87 looks prohibitive in this grade and others make more appeal in this open handicap. Stall 13 is a poor draw.

11 CRICKLEWOOD GREEN – 13 starts without a win on the All-Weather and he is likely to extend that poor record today. He was well-beaten in a Class 4 Ascot handicap last time out and a 2lb higher mark looks prohibitive. Others make greater appeal in this.

12 ESPRESSO FREDDO – Hasn’t done much for the Robert Stephens yard since completing a double for Sir Mark Prescott. He’s tried in a first-time hood which is unlikely to be the magic key to success and he races off a career high mark today.

13 MULTICULTURAL – Won on handicap debut at Yarmouth earlier in the season and she’s struggled since off higher mark. She posted a much improved run at Lingfield last time out and the booking of Joe Fanning catches the eye today. Market support would be significant.