Timeform UK SmartPlays: Sunday January 13

Our first SmartPlay comes in the opening race as we side with Lord of The Dance to make amends for a luckless defeat at this venue last time. The selection endured a troubled passage as he was hampered a couple of furlongs from home, effectively ending his chances, and it is very easy to forgive him for that effort. He had been in good form prior to that run, winning at Kempton, and, though 5lb higher in the weights, should remain competitive.

Unpenalised for a success in an apprentice handicap here earlier in the week, Spark of Genius holds excellent claims of adding another victory in the 14:00. Having moved to Alan McCabe after an emphatic maiden success, Spark of Genius made light work of her opening handicap mark, justifying favouritism a shade cosily, travelling well for the majority of the contest before sticking to her task well in the closing stages. On the evidence of that effort, Spark of Genius is well ahead of her mark and should be capable of landing this, admittedly, more competitive race.

One of the most interesting races of the day comes at 14:30, a handicap which contains a number of potentially improving three-year-olds. Of them, we think the firmly progressive (though quirky) Lager Time stands out as a leading contender. He's on a hat-trick, having shown little but temperament in maidens before winning his first two starts in handicaps, the second of which was on Thursday. He duly carries a 6 lb penalty for his efforts, but that possibly underplays the steep upward curve he's taking. This trip is admittedly further than Lager Time has raced over before, but it's a sharp seven furlongs and the impression left so far is that he's no raw speedster. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Wolverhampton

Back Lord of The Dance @ 7.87/1in the 13:00
Back Spark of Genius @ 2.447/5 in the 14:00
Back Another Citizen @ 3.711/4 in the 15:00

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