There’s some competitive action at Wolverhampton on Friday 20 March, as the latest edition of Friday Night Live hits the ITV Racing screens. Our resident tipster Matthew Sutcliffe is back with his best bets for the all-weather card, as he looks to bag some nice-priced winners.
Matty Sutcliffe has four best bets, with two each across that pair of meetings.
Wolverhampton Racing Tips (Friday 20 March)
Nine races begin at 4.22pm at Wolverhampton on a jam-packed evening of action. Check out Matthew Sutcliffe’s three best bets on the card.
5:30 Wolverhampton – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) – Green Team 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
Green Team had to drop 40lbs in the weights prior to returning to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since 2021, and he can go in again after a pleasing return to form having dropped to a career low mark.
He won by a neck over C&D last March, prior to winning by a short head here over 1m6f next time out, both times ridden by Billy Loughnane. He remained in good form on the turf when winning at Thirsk, again under Loughnane, and he’s now 7lbs lower than that latest win.
He was only beaten three lengths at Newcastle last time out and given he’s ran poorly around that track in the past, it signalled a return to form. His course form reads 6226211576, and that reads stronger over C&D as 21.
Given he does stay further, the forecast strong pace can draw his stamina out in the finish and he’s of major interest off bottom weight.
6:00 Wolverhampton – Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap (Div I) (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) – Youarenotforgiven 5/1 1pt WIN
The booking of Billy Loughnane again catches the eye here on Youarenotforgiven who’s 5lbs lower than his last winning mark which came here in October. He’s 0-6 since, but he’s had excuses on his last three starts. He was drawn widest of all at Lingfield under a 7lbs claimer, and it was a similar story when drawn widest here two starts ago. He was keen and drawn in 11 of 12 here in December three starts ago, but prior to that he was an unlucky length third over C&D when short of room when coming with what looked to be a winning run.
He’s better drawn in stall four now, and I suspect Loughnane will try mirror the trip he took on his last two wins here, having angled wide off the turn after saving ground and kicking off the bend.
7:00 Wolverhampton -SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95) – Dukes Command 9/1 1pt EW 4 places
The impeccably bred Dukes Command shaped as if need of the run when returning from a 58 day break last time out, beaten six lengths in a strong Lingfield Handicap, and he can fare better here.
The grandson of Lillie Langtry cost 1,600,000 GNS as a yearling, but was sold for 31,000 GNS after failing to land a blow for Godolphin. He was beaten 59 lengths on debut for David O’Meara, but something was evidently amiss as he won next time out three weeks later.
Another victory came at Haydock in September, and he again won a shade cosily at Lingfield in December. Dukes Command ran to a career best RPR of 104 when a two length second in the Listed Quebec Stake, splitting rivals rated 108 and 105 in a steadily run affair.
The way he moves through his races strikes me as a horse with a bundle of ability, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he can rate much higher than 95 if O’Meara can keep him sound. Two of his three handicap victories have come off top-weight, and Oisin Murphy is jocked up for the first time.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
5:30 Wolverhampton – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) – Green Team 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
6:00 Wolverhampton – Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap (Div I) (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) – Youarenotforgiven 5/1 1pt WIN
7:00 Wolverhampton -SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95) – Dukes Command 9/1 1pt EW 4 places
Matty Sutcliffe’s Top Tips – Friday 20 March
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Wolverhampton on Friday 20 March.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 9.20am on Friday 20 March.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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