Horse Racing Tips: Wolverhampton stalwart fancied to score again

• Sam has two selections for the action on Tuesday

• Whillans poised for another Wolverhampton winner

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Exeter, 14.20 - Back Special John @ 3/14.00

Matt Griffiths strives to pull of one of the more remarkable sporting comebacks when he partners Special John in this staying handicap hurdle.

The Grade 1 winning rider was involved in a fatal road crash four and a half years ago, sustaining a serious brain injury after his car hit a tree on Exmoor back in the autumn of 2021, an accident which claimed the life of his passenger Timothy Gill.

Griffiths was due to partner Special John in a similar event at Taunton last week, but the seven-year-old was a late non runner so instead Sam Thomas' gelding returns to Exeter where he was a winner on fast ground virtually 12 months ago.

Much of the selection's recent form has been over fences and he was made favourite to lift a well-contested handicap chase at Windsor in January which has worked out particularly well subsequently.

The likes of Express Surprise (4th), Planned Paradise (8th) and well beaten duo Enjoy d'Allen and Hudson De Grugy have obliged since to boost the form and the first-time cheekpieces may serve to sharpen up Special John in this ordinary 0-100.   

Wolverhampton, 18.00 - Back Ramon Di Loria @ 5/16.00

Ramon Di Loria has been a decent moneyspinner for trainer Ewan Whillans who looks to improve on his healthy course record with another victory for the consistent eight-year-old.

The Scottish raider posted another fine course and distance performance on Friday at the Midlands venue when finishing on the heels of winner Bomb Squad and the potential for a strong gallop in this 0-65 handicap could increase the chances of a horse which registered the fastest topspeed of the race according to RaceiQ data.

Because the gelding can race a little keenly, jockey Greg Fairley was keen to try and drop in Ramon Di Loria with the result being he was a shade out of his ground when the winner Bomb Squad kicked for home.

Defeat was through no fault of the rider though and a finishing speed percentage of 106.49% was the second best in the race and quicker than the winner who was slightly better positioned throughout.

That podium finish took the selection's stats to 1521113 at Dunstall Park and he has also won following seven, eight and nine day absences from the track so clearly backs up well following a recent run.

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