Horse Racing Tips: Shady can prove the real deal

• Step up in trip should suit selection

• Shrimp can step out of the shadows  

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Wolverhampton, 17:25 - Back Shrimp Shady @ 11/43.75

The form of the 12-furlong Wolverhampton handicap won by Nolton Cross early last month took a boost on Friday evening when third-home Pride Of Donegal landed a punt and a recommendation by this column.

Shrimp Shady was back in fourth that day where the two-length defeat extended his record to 0-5 on a synthetic surface.

The Mastercraftsman colt tried to keep tabs on the winner that day, but could never quite get on terms and I wonder if stretching out to this new trip may just end his winless spell.

The selection's dosage index stands at 0.60 (the lower the better for stayers) which compared to the last two St Leger winners, Scandinavia and Jan Brueghel, is very favourable as they were both 0.76 on that metric and saw the trip out strongly at Doncaster.

Shrimp Shady is clearly nowhere near that level, but his breeding suggests today's trip should be within his remit and he is taken to make it sixth time lucky on the all-weather.

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