SUNDAY WEEKENDER

14:05 Wolverhampton All three of today’s picks come on the artificial surface at Wolverhampton. The first of our three flat contests is the opening race on the card where current favourite Point North is the obvious choice. Although I’m a fan of seeking value, sometimes however, the obvious choice is such for a reason. Point North is the worthy favourite and has been found a decent enough contest to rack up its hat-trick. The John Balding trained runner has won its last two over course and distance and clearly has conditions that suit which is more than most of its rivals and should have enough to beat today’s opposition despite a rise in weight. Jaarih has an obvious chance and a return to the minimum trip is a definite plus however the horse is yet to win at Wolverhampton in three attempts and although likely to be in the mix isn’t necessarily going to topple the favourite. The horse I fear the most is Flicka’s Boy. A horse that’s yet to race on the all-weather yet has some more than adequate form on turf. If it can transfer that ability to an artificial surface it has enough to trouble the favourite however with only seven runners and two places available it just doesn’t represent the best betting prospect. Point North (WIN)

16:25 Wolverhampton A little wait until our second selection where, if the betting is to go off, it’s set to be a two horse race as Moonday Sun and Rockwood vie for favouritism. Rockwood has a very impressive record at this venue by winning its last three races here. Clearly it relishes the task at hand and I’d be mightily shocked if, despite a rise in weight, it wasn’t placed again today. The aforementioned, John Butler trained, Moonday Sun picked up a decent win at Chelmsford two starts back but it’s form at Wolverhampton is far from impressive with its best placed finish being ninth. I couldn’t be confident about a runner who doesn’t seem to act on the surface and is easily opposable today. The selection comes in the form of Lean On Pete. A horse who’s six career victories have all come at Wolverhampton. Now sitting way below its highest winning mark with promising amateur Jacob Butterfield on board the horse could be primed for a long overdue winning run. It has to be respected and on its day has some of the best form on offer. With a shot with an each way chance. Lean On Pete (E/W if 9/2+)

17:35 Wolverhampton Our third and final pick is Richard Fahey’s Oak Bluffs. The yard are starting to hit their stride and their runner has finished placed or won in three of its four starts at the course. A consecutive run of decent placed efforts recently shows it’s more than capable and I can’t see the horse out of the top 3 once again so a decent each way punt looks the way to go. Lucky Lodge is the market leader and put up a respectable second placed effort last time out. Now residing on a winning Mark it looks to have a great chance but I fear it may find one or two too good again especially with a less favourable draw in stall six. The danger is a horse who’s won its last two starts at Wolverhampton and returns to the course and distance combination that’s seen him pick up a previous victory. Gulland Rock has a chance of claiming place money now it’s returned to s course it clearly acts at. Oak Bluffs (E/W if 9/2+)