UK Horse Racing Tips: Wolverhampton

James Tate has his string in fine form and could easily add to his tally with Smart Hero, who shaped as though he would get this trip when staying on well to score over the extended 1m here off 2lb lower. However, he has had problems settling in the past and that is a concern, so KING'S CODE may be the safest bet. David Evans' five-year-old completed a C&D double by three-quarters of a length on Boxing Day and a 2lb rise for that success seems fair. Metallo and Cynosure have both been threatening to score of late.
Prediction : 1st Kings Code 2nd Smart Hero 3rd Cynosure

A sharp step up in trip sparked serious improvement in FOREST SPIRIT, who was denied by just a short head over 1m4f on her handicap debut in September. Michael Bell's filly returns off a 3lb higher mark, but there should be more to come after only four starts and this extra yardage may also help. Albert Lasker won over this distance at Southwell off 4lb lower on his penultimate outing and he looks a threat. Balgowan has claims on the form of his half-length second over 2m at Lingfield, but he remains a maiden after 18 attempts (five over hurdles).
Prediction : 1st Forest Spirit 2nd Albert Lasker 3rd Balgowan

Jonny Garlic is an obvious starting point after his promising handicap-debut second over 1m at Lingfield off 1lb lower, but he was headed late on and didn't shape as though this extra furlong would suit. Conversely, MANTON ROAD was doing his best work at the finish when opening his account over 7f here and a 2lb rise may not be enough to halt him. Upped in distance for his first appearance in a handicap, any market support for Backer Bilk would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Manton Road 2nd Jonny Garlic 3rd Backer Bilk

The step up to 1m4f did not appear to suit NO RELEASE last time, but Ed Dunlop's gelding can be given another chance as he is 1lb lower than when second over a mile at Chelmsford the time before. Perfect Parole is likely to be in the mix following two encouraging efforts in defeat of late, while Freak Encounter completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st No Release 2nd Perfect Parole 3rd Freak Encounter

PARADOXICAL has not been disgraced on either start since winning over 1m4f at Lingfield in December and that includes a narrow second last time. On that evidence, a mark of 66 should be workable and he tops the shortlist as a result. Kalikapour is likely to appreciate this step back up in trip and could prove to be the main threat, ahead of Green Team and Turner Girl.
Prediction : 1st Paradoxical 2nd Kalikapour 3rd Green Team

SAIDHA has improved with every start to date and was only beaten a neck into second over 6f at Lingfield last time. Any further progress here and Mark Usher's filly could get off the mark. Dance Recital also hit the crossbar on her most recent outing and may have more to offer, while any market support for Mayday Mayday on debut would have to be noted.
Prediction : 1st Saidha 2nd Dance Recital 3rd Mayday Mayday

Prominent racer LADY DREAMER showed up well for a long way before fading into fourth late on in a competitive race over C&D last time out and, off 1lb higher than her last winning mark, another bold bid to make all looks likely. Ben Y Bryn did it well when scoring over this trip at Chelmsford last time out and he could emerge as the main danger to the selection on his handicap debut. Prince Of Bel Lir is also one for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lady Dreamer 2nd Ben Y Bryn 3rd Prince Of Bel Lir

BINT HAVANA GOLD finished with a wet sail when third in a deeper race over 7f at Lingfield latest and she could prove tough to stop now eased in grade off an unchanged mark. South Dakota Sioux impressed when scoring readily over this track and trip recently and he must enter calculations despite a 6lb rise. Second over C&D last month, Autumn Rose merits consideration off the same mark.
Prediction : 1st Bint Havana Gold 2nd South Dakota Sioux 3rd Autumn Rose