UK Horse Racing Tips: Wolverhampton

A few of these arrive in decent form and hold solid claims, so only a tentative vote can go to THE THAMES BOATMAN. The son of Havana Grey has been steadily progressive on artificial surfaces, as emphasised by his narrow Lingfield success in November, and a subsequent 4lb rise might not be enough to halt further improvement. Pop Dancer defeated the selection (fifth) off 2lb lower over C&D in November and must enter the reckoning, while others to note include Star Of Lady M, Gustav Graves and Lihou.
Prediction : 1st The Thames Boatman 2nd Pop Dancer 3rd Star Of Lady M

ALMODOVAR DEL RIO bumped into a rejuvenated rival when filling the runner-up spot at Southwell last time and, in a first-time visor, he can shrug off a 2lb rise and go one better. Cobh Harbour was far from disgraced on his handicap bow last month and any improvement would come as no surprise, while similar comments apply to the David Loughnane-trained Dolores Abernathy. Beylerbeyi should not be underestimated either.
Prediction : 1st Almodovar Del Rio 2nd Cobh Harbour 3rd Beylerbeyi

A race which would appear to revolve around the two penalised runners SILENT AGE and Swordstick, with preference afforded to the former. His Kempton success has been franked with the fourth winning since and, given the fact he might be allowed an easy lead, the son of Dubawi could take some pegging back. That said, the latter's Southwell triumph has also worked out well and improvement looks to be on the cards. Meade Gold is most appealing of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Silent Age 2nd Swordstick 3rd Meade Gold

Unbeaten since joining his current yard, Optician is the obvious starting point after three course and distance wins. However, the fact the four-year-old has only gone up 10lb in the handicap indicates those victories came in relatively weak races, which leaves him vulnerable here. VILLAZON is potentially well treated and, with improvement possible, the four-year-old looks worth chancing. City Escape and Restorer are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Villazon 2nd Optician 3rd City Escape

Bobby Shaftoe needed every yard of the trip when scoring at Newcastle on Tuesday and is a big player over this longer distance under a 5lb penalty. However, both Racing Country and ELOPED won stronger races than that on their most recent starts. The latter is suggested as the more likely of the two to deliver a repeat dose, given her profile over 1m4f looks the more solid.
Prediction : 1st Eloped 2nd Racing Country 3rd Bobby Shaftoe

The dual-purpose BELLA BLUESKY was a surprise winner over 1m4f at Southwell at the start of this month, but proved there was no fluke about it when following up over the same trip here 11 days ago. With her stamina proven from her exploits over hurdles, the Ewan Whillans-trained mare is a strong fancy to go in again under a 4lb penalty. Virtual Hug is feared most, with Crystal Guard considered for a place from a handy current mark.
Prediction : 1st Bella Bluesky 2nd Virtual Hug 3rd Crystal Guard

AMANCIO looked set to open his account at Lingfield earlier this month but was caught in the shadows of the post. A 1lb rise in the ratings looks more than workable and Jack Channon's gelding is sure to be scoring sooner rather than later. Fellow in-form rival Old Chums will need to break better if he aspires to make all as he did at Southwell on his penultimate outing, which is more than possible. The Kodiac gelding isn't taken lightly, while Rothay Park makes most appeal of the remaining protagonists.
Prediction : 1st Amancio 2nd Old Chums 3rd Rothay Park

Masqool's willing attitude saw him complete a Lingfield double recently and James Evans' gelding should give another good account. However, the combination of a quick turnaround and 5lb penalty may prove to be his undoing, with DEMBE shading the verdict. The son of Garswood didn't enjoy the smoothest of passages over C&D earlier this month, where he was subsequently promoted to third, and he looks ready to land a race of this nature. It's too early to be writing Endless Power off and the four-year-old must enter calculations as well.
Prediction : 1st Dembe 2nd Masqool 3rd Endless Power