Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Monday including 18/1 Wolverhampton fancy

Ayr, 16:30 - Back Rousing Encore E/W @ 15/28.50

5 (5)

Rousing Encore (Ire)

• J: James Sullivan
• T: Ruth Carr
• F: 43-255040

• SBK 3/1
• EXC 4.1

Course-and-distance winner Rousing Encore has form figures of 2181 at this venue, with his eight-placed finish coming in the hugely Ayr Silver Cup when sent off at odds of 22/123.00 in a 25-runner field behind Candy.

He's currently 2lb higher than his last win, but has put in competitive efforts from a higher rating since then, including when narrowly denied by Golden Mind in a higher class handicap at Doncaster last term, beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length when outrunning odds of 22/123.00.

This term, the Ruth Carr-trained gelding has put in a number of competitive efforts. He was beaten only a length-and-three-quarters at 18/119.00 on reappearance by Power Fizz, before finishing a respectable fifth of 13 at Newmarket in his subsequent run.

His latest outing at York is worth forgiving from an unfavourable wide draw, and he could be worth keeping onside from a workable mark with proven course form in his favour.

Wolverhampton, 19:30 - Back Wodao E/W @ 18/119.00

11 (7)

Wodao (Fr)

• J: George Wood
• T: Steph Hollinshead
• F: 50645-969

• SBK 20/1
• EXC 6.6

Making his second appearance for Steph Hollinshead since leaving Jamie Osborne, six-year-old gelding Wodao could come on for his return to action over course-and-distance last month, and may fare better this time around under George Wood. He was unable to get involved in his latest outing from the rear of the field when sent off at a price of 40/141.00, and has been dropped 3lb, now rated 64.

Whilst he's yet to win since a Listed success at Tipperary during his debut campaign for Donnacha O'Brien, the Group Three-placed gelding has been able to run well in handicaps since then from a much higher mark. He was only narrowly denied by Chairmanoftheboard at Goodwood in the autumn of 2024 when on a mark of 92, and performed with some credit despite failing to truly threaten on a couple of occasions last year, too.

Once rated as highly as 107, Wodao is currently on his lowest mark and a resurgence could be possible in calmer waters than in previous campaigns.

Wolverhampton, 20:30 - Back King Of Speed E/W @ 16/117.00

2 (13)

King Of Speed (Ire)

• J: Hope Regan
• T: Mark Loughnane
• F: 64053538

• SBK 16/1
• EXC 5.2

Mark Loughnane-trained King Of Speed is 5lb lower than his last winning mark with Hope Regan claiming 7lb in the saddle, and could return to form back in familiar surroundings following a disappointing effort at Bath when last seen.

The course-and-distance winner was beaten only a length in third here in his penultimate start, outrunning odds of 16/117.00 on that occasion, having run well at Lingfield and Kempton in respective races previously.

From a workable mark with course form in his favour, there's plenty to like about his chances as he bids for a seventh career win. He has plenty of experience and has been in good form on the all-weather in recent months.

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