2.20pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 23/03/2017

An interesting Selling Stakes in which numerous runners have decent handicapping form so it’s sure to be as competitive as it looks. Read on for our runner by runner guide, full preview and free betting tips.

SUMMARY: Ready takes a massive drop down in grade and it’s no surprise to see him in here as the market leader, but he needs to step forward and is already well found in the market. MR RED CLUBS is preferred on the back of a cracking effort at Chelmsford where he got the better of all bar one of his rivals in a decent Class 4 event. Dropping back to this grade can do the trick. Drago will also go well and can fill the frame.

1 ANTON CHIGURH – Won this race last year for Tom Dascombe but he has been below par on his last two runs at Southwell, always in the rear and struggling from an early stage when well beaten at Southwell on his latest start (1m, Std). Perhaps more interesting now dropped into selling class but he has a big penalty to shoulder in this field, giving four pounds or more to all his rivals in this. If back to his best, it’s hard to dismiss his chances, but his current form is of concern and he may not be up to giving away the weight at present.

2 DRAGO – Two wins from his last three runs, with both those wins coming here over the extended mile and extended one mile one furlong. The latest of those wins came in Class 5 company so the fact he now drops back into selling company makes him very interesting for David O’Meara with Patrick Vaughan taking off a useful seven pounds from his back. If running to his best he looks tough to beat in this as he’s a proven C&D winner who is much better than this company.

3 BLING KING – Won three starts ago at Nottingham in July (1m, Good to FIrm), though that was a weak looking handicap and he has struggled on his last two starts since, well beaten at both Carlisle and Redcar when last seen. Returns from a 183 day absence and looks up against it in this despite dropping in class, namely as others arrive in much better form and he’s entitled to need this for Geoffrey Harker. Sam James takes the ride and he’d be a surprise inclusion in the places, especially as he has no wins from seven all weather starts.

4 MR RED CLUBS – Multiple C&D winner who seems to thrive here and was far from disgraced on his latest start at Chelmsford last week (1m, Std), finishing second and only beaten around three quarters of a length. Considering that was in class four company, it was a very good effort in the context of this race and he now drops into selling company on what look to be favourable terms, with Jane Elliott taking off a good seven pound thanks to her claim. He looks set to go very close for the in form Michael Appleby yard and has to be respected.

5 PORT PARADISE – Only previous run in selling company resulted in a win at Leicester in July (1m, Good to Firm), proving far too good for his rivals. On his last all weather in October he was far from disgraced when third behind the well handicapped Petite Jack at Lingfield, finishing well (1m 2f, Std). He’s been well beaten on two runs over hurdles since, but will appreciate this return to the flat and isn’t one to rule out for William Jarvis. Joe Fanning takes the ride and he has definite place claims at his best.

6 READY – Has been struggling badly for this yard in good quality handicaps this season, all of those runs in class two or three company. However even the form of those runs gives him a leading chance in this, as he was a good second in a claimer over C&D in November. He’ll find this race much easier under Steve Drowne and it’d be a surprise if he wasn’t involved for Clare Ellam, as he’s rated much higher than all of these.

7 POOL HOUSE – Last win came way back in March 2014 at Lingfield (7f, Std), though he has mainly lost his way since then and has been soundly beaten on most of his starts this season. His latest second at Southwell wasn’t a bad effort (1m, Std), but he had a good passage and was receiving lots of weight on that occasion. He looks likely to be vulnerable again and although he could be a good each way price, he’d be a hugely surprising winner.

8 LITTLE LOTTE – Had been struggling badly on the flat last season for Tom Gretton and she’s been in no sort of form over hurdles either, well beaten on all her runs at varying trips. She still remains a maiden after eighteen runs under both codes, which doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence. George Wood takes off 5lb off her back but she’d be a surprising winner and others look much, much more likely.