* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
12:45 Red Stripes
RED STRIPES took a big step back in the right direction when second at Southwell five days ago, putting in some good late work and only just failing. He’s on a long losing run and does seem to lack some of his old zip, but this represents a significant drop in grade and gives him an excellent opportunity to gain a deserved success from 2 lb lower than last time.
13:15 Batraan
BATRAAN proved unsuited by the drop back to five furlongs when second at this course last month, finding himself poorly placed after a slow start before staying on well to be beaten a little over a length. That form still sets the standard in this line-up, and, with further progress on the cards now back at six furlongs, Batraan is a confident selection to open his account at the fifth attempt for the in-form Roger Varian (six winners from his last 20 runners).
13:50 Egotistic
EGOTISTIC appeals as very much the one to beat on these terms after returning to form from out of the blue at Kempton last time. She held every chance entering the final furlong and kept on well despite edging right under pressure, just losing out in a bunched finish. She is well worth a chance to confirm the promise of that effort, with cheekpieces back on for the first time since she recorded her sole career win over this course and distance in January.
14:20 Qaaraat
QAARAAT won over five furlongs here in November, beating a pair of subsequent winners, and he has mostly shaped as if still in good heart in four subsequent starts. He found only a well-treated sort too strong when second at Southwell on Sunday, and a repeat of that form would give him leading claims of going one place better in what looks an open contest on paper.
DON’T MISS
- CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
- … THEN GET ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS PAGES
14:55 Tornado Queen
TORONADO QUEEN ran creditably from 3 lb out of the weights when second over this course and distance last time, especially as she wasn’t ideally positioned given how the race developed (left with too much to do in a steadily-run affair). A likeable and consistent mare, she should continue to give a good account and makes plenty of appeal now back in calmer waters.
15:25 Born To Sire
BORN TO SIRE is still a maiden after six starts, but he gave notice that his turn could be near when second at this course last week, producing a career best to be beaten just a length and a half. He can race from the same mark here and may have more to offer now stepping up further in trip (plenty of stamina in his pedigree), so today could be the day he finally gets off the mark in a race where plenty of them have questions to answer.
15:55 Thematic
THEMATIC proved no match for the winner over this course and distance 10 days ago, but he still posted a creditable effort for the second start in succession, the first time he’s put together two good runs for this yard. The application of cheekpieces seems to have made the difference, and there is no doubt he is up to winning a race of this nature if continuing to go the right way.
Timeform’s tips for Wolverhampton on Wednesday
12:45 Red Stripes
13:15 Batraan
13:50 Egotistic
14:20 Qaaraat
14:55 Tornado Queen
15:25 Born To Sire
15:55 Thematic
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
- Paddy Power Millionaire Chase: Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day meet abandoned – what happens now
- Paddy’s literally all over racing on the telly thanks to our new ITV sponsorship
- Phil Thompson: Liverpool were quoted just £4m for Cristiano Ronaldo – and could have got John Terry too
- Phil Thompson: I used to tell Gerard Houllier ‘I love you’ at the end of our chats