17:00 Wolverhampton

Leg 1 Selections: Prince of Rome, Boom The Groom

A chance is taken on PRINCE OF ROME. He has yet to fire for a long time now but he is a former course-and-distance winner and won that race off a 21-pounds higher mark. He is drawn well in stall one and gets the assistance of Rossa Ryan, who is bang in-form and is riding as well as ever so far this year. If this horse is going to bounce back, it will come in this race. 

BOOM THE GROOM has been raised two-pounds for only finishing sixth here last time but this is a seriously weak race and he went close here two starts back when second. He has won here off a much higher mark in the past and could be the solid choice for the Placepot in leg 1.

17:30 Wolverhampton

Leg 2 Selections: Proclivity, Autumn Flight

PROCLIVITY is three-pounds lower than when third here back in November and she ran a lot better than the beaten margin indicated last time at Southwell. She has fallen to a career-low mark of 57 and gets a decent slow in stall 4, so she has to merit some consideration here. 

AUTUMN FLIGHT is another to have fallen to a basement mark and is well-treated on past exploits. It has been a while since he last threatened to win a race but his three efforts here last year were against stronger opponents, so the seven-year-old could be set to run a big race with Josephine Gordon maintaining the ride. 

18:00 Wolverhampton

Leg 3 Selections: Assembled, Triple M 

The fitness of ASSEMBLED has to be taken on trust but he is drawn nicely in stall 1 and is four-pounds below his last winning mark, which came in a class five. He ran well when fourth on the turf when last seen and, dropped into a class six off a career-low mark, he is an interesting candidate and gets onto the shortlist in leg 3. 

TRIPLE M could take a step forward from what she has shown to date. She makes her handicap debut from a basement mark of 52 and the booking of Rossa Ryan catches the eye as well. She is the least-exposed runner in the field and could pose a threat in this moderate contest. 

18:30 Wolverhampton

Leg 4 Selections: Cloudbreaker, Brightly

A decent Fillies’ event for leg 4 and I quite like the claims of CLOUDBREAKER who shaped well when fifth on debut at Newbury and improved significantly on that promise to win at Newmarket next time. She makes her return under a penalty but could develop into a nice filly for connections and is fancied to go well. 

BRIGHTLY brings a similar profile to the former, who was a good fourth on her debut and while she returned a beaten favourite next time, she still ran well to finish second. The step up in trip should unlock further improvement and she looks a key player in what appears to be a wide-open event where cases can be made for a few. 

19:00 Wolverhampton

Leg 5 Selections: Sky Defender, Power Of States

The value on the card in the hope of eliminating some units could rest on leg 5. I have taken a wild chance on two outsiders. Firstly, SKY DEFENDER, who would have a serious chance if able to rediscover some of his historical form. I am not keen on his draw given he likes to go forward but he has lots of smart form (wins and placed efforts) from much higher marks and could surprise a few at big odds again here. 

POWER OF STATES has won twice over course-and-distance off marks, with the latest of those off 98, so he is capable of defying 92 if he can get back on track here. He had a good draw in stall 1 and overall, has an excellent strike-rate on the all-weather. Mick Appleby’s seven-year-old has the ammunition to outrun his odds and at least make the frame. Likewise to the former, he could be a spot of value. 

19:30 Wolverhampton

Leg 6 Selections: Greystroke, Buxted Too 

GREYSTOKE has a quirky side but he ran well when third last time and his only two previous starts here saw him finish second and first. He isn’t drawn ideally well in stall 13 but Alan King’s charge has a good chance on these terms if able to overcome his wide berth under Rossa Ryan in leg 6.

BUXTED TOO is in the form of his life given he has won his last three starts and did well to beat an 85-rated horse last time. He takes on lower rated opponents in this race plus he is now two-from-two over this trip on the surface. He is probably the solid option to at least make the frame.