PADDOCKS PATENT (MONDAY)

14:00 Wolverhampton

Sewn Up knows every inch of this tapeta surface and is a six time course winner. It is hard to believe that he is still only a six year old but he is as tough and as genuine as they come and is fully capable of giving another good account. He seems to thrive on his racing and Joey Haynes will be keen to better the runner up spot that they managed when chasing home Pacolita here just last week.

Never To Be seems to have suffered no ill effects since leaving the David O’Meara team to join Jim Boyle. He returns to what is his favoured trip and has to be considered on what is only his second start for new connections. His handicap mark continues to fall and he rates as the likeliest danger to the selection. Logan’s Lad is a dual course and distance winner with plenty of other placed efforts around here to his name. If fully fit  after a two month break, he too looks capable of getting placed in this company.

Sewn Up is fully effective at this level and Keith Dalgleish has managed to get him back on good terms with himself. With doubts about some rivals acting on the synthetic surface, he will be fully at home upon it and he has to merit respect.

Sewn Up (E/W if 9/2+)

15:30 Wolverhampton

Opera Buffa showed her best form to date when placed at this track ten days ago.  Joe Fanning partnered her for the first time that day and now that he knows a bit more about her, the duo have to be high on any shortlist. Mark  has an impressive strike rate at Dunstall Park with his three year olds and representing top owners, she is likely to improve with time.

Hold On Magnolia was good enough to score over the course and distance last month. He gave a pound to the reopposing Mysterious Look and with further improvement likely here, he can confirm that form once again. With Richard Fahey enjoying a good run of form at present he looks to be the main danger. Custard The Dragon looks to  have improved with each outing. He hasn’t been seen since last month but Ralph Beckett turns to a five pound claimer in what is his handicap debut. If continuing on an upward curve, they too look to have solid each way claims.

Given the way that Opera Buffa raced last time it is not a surprise to see her dropped back in trip. She is still only lightly raced but is housed at a yard than can tease more improvement out of her. Now that she tries this surface for a second time and gets weight from the vast majority of her rivals, she could well prove hard to catch.

Opera Buffa (E/W if 9/2+)

16:30 Wolverhampton

Precision Five is a consistent sort that has been plying her trade over hurdles and on the all weather of late. Given the way she ran over a mile and five at Chelmsford last time, it could be significant that she reverts to this more suitable distance of a mile and a half today. Fergus Sweeney has partnered her to success three times in the past and whilst she has never recorded a win here, she has gone close on a number of previous occasions.

Paddys Motorbike scrapes in at the foot of the handicap and represents a stable in excellent form.  This is his first attempt on the tapeta surface but if repeating the effort he put in at Chelmsford a couple of weeks ago, he looks a serious danger to the selection. Josephine Gordon also takes weight off her mount so David Evans has every right to expect a decent run. Sizzler was considered talented enough to participate in a decent handicap at Royal Ascot back in 2014. He managed to get placed in that previous race but a nineteen month layoff has to be a major concern. If Ralph Beckett has him back anywhere near what he is truly capable of, then he too merits respect and has definite place claims.

Alan King has his stable in good order and despite Precision Five trying to win off a career high mark there are a lot of questions regarding the form of her opposition. Given her association with her jockey, they are taken to go close once again.

Precision Five (E/W if 9/2+)