The David Barron-trained Spes Nostra has yet to be beaten at Wolverhampton - his only all-weather defeat came on Southwell's Fibresand surface - and he can extend his perfect course record by taking the extended one-and-a-half mile handicap at 14:40. Spes Nostra has been in excellent form of late, winning here over nine and a half furlongs on his two most recent outings, and the step up in trip looks unlikely to pose any problems. Spes Nostra had looked quirky at times earlier in his career but he now appeals as a straightforward proposition and should launch a bold bid as he aims to complete a hat-trick.
Zamra has been running well of late, doing little wrong when finishing runner-up on her two most recent starts, and she can deservedly bounce back to winning ways in Wolverhampton's nine-and-a-half furlong handicap at 15:50. James Tate's filly seemed to find one mile at Lingfield barely enough of a test when shedding her maiden tag at the fourth time of asking, staying on well from an unpromising position, and she duly improved when stepped up in trip, first finishing second at Lingfield before running to a similar level when filling the same position at this venue. Zamra conceded first run to an unexposed rival last time and she can be expected to give another good account.
We have a bit of a wait for our final SmartPlay but the unbeaten Passing Star has looked like a useful colt in the making and should take a good deal of beating in the one-mile handicap at 19:35. Passing Star made a taking impression on debut, travelling strongly and battling well to see off a more-experienced rival, and he built on that obvious promise when landing a C&D handicap here earlier in the month. Passing Star travelled in the style of a horse capable of holding his own in higher company, impressing with how he quickened up in the closing stages to win in ready fashion, and an 8 lb rise looks in no way prohibitive. He has an extremely likeable profile and can take this en route to better things.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Spes Notra @ 2.6613/8 in the 14:40 at Wolverhampton
Back Zamra @ 6.25/1 in the 15:50 at Wolverhampton
Back Passing Star @ 2.526/4 in the 19:35 at Kempton
