There’s a seven race all-weather card at Wolverhampton racecourse on Friday afternoon, with all the action sponsored by BetUK & BetMGM, and some of it takes place in front of the ITV Racing cameras.
GG editor Steve Chambers takes a look at all the action and has picked out his best bet in each race in his dedicated through-the-card tipping preview.
Back his selections with BetMGM’s HUGE new customer offer of £40 in Free Bets when you deposit and bet £10!
1.05pm – Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap (Class 6) (4yo+ 0-55)
A ten-race maiden for Michael Bell, BLETCHLEY STORM has since switched to Michael Wigham’s yard and the four-year-old daughter of Night Of Thunder is hoping her new surroundings cam bring around some improvement in the 1:05pm contest over 1m 142y.
Last seen finishing down the field at Chelmsford over 1m 2f back in November, Bletchley Storm will drop back to eight furlongs and that mile trip has produced her career best runs so far (2nd on two occasions over 1m). She’s been dropped by 1lb to a mark of 54 for this event and if she can improve for the switch of stables then she can finally get her moment in the limelight here.
1.40pm – Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-85)
Dylan Cunha’s MOLIWOOD failed to show any spark on his last outing when eighth of 12 over a trip just shy of two miles at Kempton Park two weeks ago, but a return to Wolverhampton could bring on some notable improvement and he can land the prize at decent odds.
A previous course-and-distance winner, the six-year-old had previously put in a decent effort when second at Chelmsford City in November, so if he can repeat that effort then he has to be considered. He’s now 5lbs lower than his last winning mark, so if he can improve for that recent Kempton run then he’s attractively handicapped to knock on the door in a cracking betting heat.
2.15pm – Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-85)
Roger Varian’s AL FARABI has been a real model of consistency on the racecourse so far during his fledgling career as the son of Kingman hasn’t been out of the first four in his four career starts, with one of those being a victory.
He bumped into a well handicapped performer in the shape of Swiss Ace last time out at Newcastle on handicap debut and while he’s been given a 2lbs rise for that second placed finish he should still be able to make significant waves off a mark of 84 in this 2.15pm contest.
2.50pm – Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap (Class 6) (4yo+ 0-53)
Reliable is certainly not a word that can be associated with Ruth Carr’s VAN ZANT, but the five-year-old could well record a second victory of his career on Friday in the 2.50pm contest at Wolverhampton. The five-year-old finally broke his maiden tag at the track back on Boxing Day off a mark of 45 and he lines up 2lbs higher here and has to be given a squeak.
He failed to follow up next time out when down the field at Newcastle off Friday’s mark of 47, but he will enjoy a return to Wolverhampton for this mediocre 7f 36y race and he is the tentative selection in a really tough race to call.
3.25pm – Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Fillies’ Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-68)
Soi Dao was a winner last time out at Wolverhampton and is entitled to go close for Adrian Wintle again here, but the one that catches the eye is NOBLE SOVEREIGN, who was fourth that day and David Loughnane’s charge could finish a bit closer in this contest.
Having given Soi Dao 3lbs that day, Noble Sovereign will line up off level weights here and having been held up in rear during that event she was unable to bridge the gap in the closing stages. Now, with Hollie Doyle in the saddle on Friday, if Loughnane’s raider can find herself a little more forward heading into the business stage of the race then she could well turn that recent form around and with double-figured odds available, at the time of writing, then she’s the way to go.
3.55pm – BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 5) (3-4yo)
It’s a pretty uninspiring penultimate race at 3.55pm with some disappointing performers taking on a brace of newcomers in the shape of HISSYAAN and Kalpana and it’s that pair that could well be the most interesting of the line-up.
Kalpana takes her chance for Andrew Balding, who has had some success with newcomers this season and the betting will give clues on her potential, but it’s wise to stick with the Simon & Ed Crisford-trained Hissyaan. The Street Sense colt will make the most of the 3yo weight advantage here and with a decent middle-distance profile, he could well land a maiden win.
4.25pm – Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Classified Stakes (Class 6) (4yo+ 0-50)
Mick Appleby’s TWISTALINE is one contender in the final race on the card that isn’t out of form and despite top weight the five-year-old course and distance winner can make it two wins from her last three starts.
There’s no doubting she is pretty modest, but she showed when winning at Southwell two starts ago that she can get her head in front and she ran well next time out at Chelmsford off the same mark of 47. She’s up to a mark of 50 for this contest, but she has been victorious at Wolverhampton off that figure, so she does have the capabilities to play a starring role here.
Wolverhampton Through-The-Card Tips
Steve Chambers’ tips for Friday 19th January 2024.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.