UK Horse Racing Tips: Wolverhampton

BATTLE STANDARD showed little in his first three races which saw him gelded ahead of his handicap debut. After market support, he got off the mark with a three and a quarter length victory at Southwell that has seen the handicapper up him 12lb. Jack Morland's gelding gets to run here off his old mark and although racing over a furlong further, he wasn't stopping last time and ought to double up. Palliser was a neck second over C&D last week and seems a bigger danger than Yehudi or Ballybunion.
Prediction : 1st Battle Standard 2nd Palliser 3rd Yehudi

San Juanito could be interesting in first-time cheekpieces and although out of sorts recently, he has won here twice over C&D from three attempts, both off significantly higher marks. Ernie's Valentine has been knocking on the door lately with a Southwell third last time out, but BALOO'S BLUES is preferred. A fast-run race will suit the Havana Grey gelding, who finished second over further last time out, and if getting away on level terms, he could go one better.
Prediction : 1st Baloos Blues 2nd San Juanito 3rd Ernies Valentine

Late season maidens are tricky to solve but if Roger Varian's JAHAMI brings her best form she is by far the likeliest winner. Third on debut at Newcastle over 6f, she came close to getting off the mark with an unlucky head second at Southwell over 7f, when staying on strongly, and looks to make it third-time lucky over an added quarter mile. Wishful Thinker's Southwell third suggests she is on an upward curve and she could get the better of Sacred Moment for the places.
Prediction : 1st Jahami 2nd Wishful Thinker 3rd Sacred Moment

STONEY WOOD has been far from consistent throughout his career so far, but Michael Bell's youngster did at least produce a career-best effort when second to an improver at Southwell last month. Further improvement might be enough to see the son of Cotai Glory break his maiden, although he did finish three lengths in arrears of Holliesthedollie when the pair met at Windsor - for all that rain-softened ground didn't appear to suit. Bath scorer Last Dandelion hasn't been done any favours with the draw so it might be that Time And Effort carries a bigger threat.
Prediction : 1st Stoney Wood 2nd Holliesthedollie 3rd Time And Effort

LANDLORDTOTHESTARS was given a few months off after recording a commanding C&D win back in July and while Tom Kiely-Marshall negates half of the 6lb rise incurred with his claim, it would come as no great surprise were he to follow up on his return. Brighton scorer Cayman Tai merits plenty of respect, as does the consistent Methgal, and don't rule out Way To Dubai, who wasn't beaten too far into third at Yarmouth last time.
Prediction : 1st Landlordtothestars 2nd Cayman Tai 3rd Methgal

Although not the most obvious candidate, it might be worth taking a chance on AL ZA'AMA. Donald McCain's charge had shown little under both codes in truth before displaying a glimmer of promise over C&D last month, where he was ridden by a 7lb apprentice. Cam Hardie takes over on this occasion and the three-year-old might be capable of a bit better on his second start following wind surgery. Others to note include It's A Love Thing, Just Typical and Jodhpur Blue.
Prediction : 1st Al Zaama 2nd Its A Love Thing 3rd Just Typical

HAUTELUCE was an impressive winner over this C&D 18 days ago and a 7lb rise might still underestimate the lightly-raced three-year-old. A draw in stall one could be ideal for this keen-going filly, who has now won two of her three starts in handicaps. The consistent Echalar and First Ambition are others key players to consider, although Vincenzo Peruggia only went up 2lb for winning at Yarmouth and looks the main danger.
Prediction : 1st Hauteluce 2nd Vincenzo Peruggia 3rd Echalar

Several of these tend to go well here and there are solid foundations for supporting the likes of So Sassy, Hilltop and Queue Dos, who are all previous C&D winners with solid chances based on peak form. However, a draw in stall two could be beneficial for VELVET RHYTHM, who acts on a turning track and could be worth chancing given she is open to a good deal of progress on just her fourth start on the all-weather.
Prediction : 1st Velvet Rhythm 2nd So Sassy 3rd Hilltop

Regularly in the mix, SAXOPHONIST could finally get his head in front. Narrowly defeated at Newcastle a week ago on his first attempt over 1m4f, David O'Meara's charge is taken to edge out Caraway. The latter won with plenty to spare at Wolverhampton last time and cannot be ruled out, despite a 5lb hike, while Mountbatten may improve in first-time blinkers having returned a losing favourite on three of his last four starts.
Prediction : 1st Saxophonist 2nd Caraway 3rd Mountbatten