"He was collared late in a pair of runs at Chelmsford last winter and spring having set the pace."
Alan Dudman has our Monday horse racing tips from Wolverhampton and he is looking to lay one in the place market while also backing a front-runner...
Front-runner might be hard to catch in Wolves' opener
16:05 Wolverhampton - Back Zarrar @ 5.04/1
The 1m4f handicap at 16:05 doesn't look much of race, and I am backing Zarrar to dominate from the front at a price of around 5.04/1.
Fresh and fit after four runs over hurdles, I'd be surprised if this horse isn't ridden aggressively by Silvestre De Sousa. He was collared late in a pair of runs at Chelmsford last winter and spring having set the pace, but crucially both were over further distance, so he wouldn't require any sort of tactical make-up over shorter, he just needs to be bounced out again.
And that's the good thing about De Sousa - one of his strengths is that he keeps things simple.
Zarrar looks on a fair mark judged on his hurdles' rating and is worth backing. One of his rivals International Law should also be considered in the Place market given he likes a pace to run at and has solid form in the grade at Wolverhampton
Hopefully Storm won't run like lightning
18:10 Wolverhampton - Place Lay Electrical Storm @ 1.402/5
I am usually a sucker for Saeed bin Suroor horses on the all-weather, but the trainer's Electrical Storm is becoming frustrating and I would rather take him on. He was priced up at 15/8 on the Sportsbook last night, so he certainly is short enough to take on.
The 3yo holds a record of 0-7 and held every chance to go past a pair of horses last time at Kempton, but I wasn't convinced about his attitude. That was a new trip for him on that occasion upped to 7f, so he doesn't look the most natural fit for another furlong for Monday evening. Having raced over 5f and 6f for the majority of his light career, there is a stamina doubt.
In his first few starts he was beaten in-running at 1.091/11 and 1.152/13, so there is the option of taking him on in the run, but there are a couple of key contenders in opposition with front-running Rhubarb Bikini and the well-treated Amaysmount who returned to form last time. I think we have enough running for us to keep Electrical Storm out of the first two.