*Please note, Kelso has been abandoned due to a frozen track
It's the opening sprint handicap at Wolverhampton under consideration first (13:00) in which a chance is taken on Invigilator. He has shaped much bette than the bare result suggested on his latest two starts, finding traffic here in mid-December before being handed a nightmare draw at Lingfield last time out. He looks to have no such trouble today however and with the yard hitting a rich vein of form in the last week, it would be a well-deserved victory should he get back on the scoreboard. There are dangers in what looks one of the more compelling apprentice contests, with both Parisian Pyramid and Insolenceofoffice likely to figure.
It's another sprint handicap at the Staffordshire track up next, and its sure to be a fast affair with several likely to force the pace. With that in mind the vote goes to Diamond Charlie who has turned in some creditable efforts in defeats in recent times. There has been little in the way of pace for him to attack in his last two starts here and at Lingfield eight days ago, but given he should be able to swoop late in what will be a late run race, it would be no surprise to see him return to winning ways. Nafa is another who might try similar tactics and could prove the biggest danger.
Our final bet of the day comes in a staying handicap hurdle (14:20) in which Rocky Stone has an excellent chance now switched from novice events. It was evidently an inadequate test when third to Secrete Stream at Wetherby last time, and the marked step up in trim to twenty-seven furlongs today should be right up his alley. He looks a horse capable of improvement and thus an opening handicap mark of 95 looks extremely competitive. Stickleback may give him something to think about now the headgear has been reached for, but it's likely to be another victory McCain and Maguire to give us a winning start to the week
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Invigilator in the 13:00 at Wolverhampton
Back Diamond Charlie in the 13:30 at Wolverhampton
Back Rocky Stone in the 14:20 at Kelso
