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15:50 Wolverhampton We start off tonights all-weather action with the first race on the card from Wolverhampton. A six runner maiden which, despite few runners, seems as open as any of the eight contests in the Midlands this evening. Obviously, like any maiden race, there isn’t much form to go off but I really like the David Griffiths trained Wisteria. The horse ran much better than expected on debut when finishing fifth of twelve in a Doncaster maiden when priced at 100/1. Although the move to an artificial surface is a question mark the step up to seven furlongs will definitely be an advantage. The horse’s breeding isn’t too bad either and jockey Nicky Mackay has four wins from twelve rides over the past fortnight which is brilliant form. The likely danger is clearly the David Evans runner Come Uppence who has had two all-weather seconds on its last two subsequent starts however, on a personal note, I’m not too sure how much the horse wants to win with six races to its name already. If Wisteria is still priced at 5/1 or bigger as it currently is I think it will be a sure fire thing to finish in the top two. Wisteria (E/W if 5/1+)
18:20 Wolverhampton Sticking with Wolverhampton as we tackle the sixth race on the card and judging by the betting it’s all about one horse. Having been backed from 4/1 down to around 5/2 (as of 12:00 today) the in form Tony Carroll yard saddles Warm Order. Despite others posing a decent threat I am going to stick with the favourite. Despite the fact the maiden it won wasn’t the best it still did it nicely enough and with Luke Morris on board tonight it can certainly rack up another course and distance win. After the favourite I think the race is as wide open as any and a case could easily be made for any of the remaining nine, if push came to shove however I would probably earmark Rat Catcher as decent value but I just cannot look past the favourite. Warm Order (WIN)
18:40 Dundalk As with most Friday evenings we make our customary trip over the sea to take in a race from Dundalk. The race in question is their second of the evening and I’m going to plump for a bit of an each-way shot in this. With eleven runners expected to go to post you’ll get three places and a horse that has finished in the top three in six out of nine races around Dundalk has to be considered. The fact the horse also carries bottom weight and is now entered into a race with less competitive rivals than previously and the fact it is trained by the top trainer at this course all makes a fantastic case for Political Policy. Why on earth this horse is priced up at around 8/1 I do not know and think it is far too big in the betting. Yes its most recent runs haven’t been that impressive but the price is far too big to turn down. The favourite So Sensible is definitely the one to beat as trainer Tracey Collins is doing well at the moment and has leading jockey Pat Smullen in the saddle. To be fair the horse is the more likely winner but Political Policy surely has to be good enough for a top three finish if not pulling off the upset. Political Policy (E/W)
by Rory Paddock