All nine races at Wolverhampton are live on Sky Sports Racing from 4.28pm, with several intriguing contests across the card.
4.28 Wolverhampton — Novice Stakes
Andrew Balding’s Sintra heads the opener, the Daily Profit Boosts At betmgm.co.uk Novice Stakes over an extended mile. A son of Kingman and a half-brother to Listed winner Windlord, Sintra was third on debut last month and arrives looking for his first success. The booking of Colin Keane — the Cheltenham-winning, six-time Irish champion — is eye-catching; it will be just his fourth ride at Dunstall Park.
Richard Hughes runs Nobody Knows, a €320,000 breeze-up purchase who justified favouritism when winning by two lengths on debut at Ayr in September. The Wootton Bassett colt already has entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby, so he’s one to monitor through the season.
Adam Kirby saddles My Mate Mackley as a trainer for the third time; the colt finished last of eight on his only juvenile start and will try to give Kirby a second winner since switching to training. Among the newcomers, Mick The Hat is notable for Ralph Beckett after a 105,000gns yearling purchase.
6.00 Wolverhampton — Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap (7f)
Eleven go to post in this seven-furlong handicap. The consistent Bomb Squad, trained by John Mackie, has won three of his last four and seeks another course-and-distance victory despite carrying a 4lb penalty for his recent success four days ago.
Ramon Di Loria, who finished just half a length behind Bomb Squad that day, meets him on 4lb better terms and represents Ewan Whillans. He has been in the top three in six of his last seven starts and will be expected to run well.
John O’Shea’s Punchbowl Flyer has been running creditably without winning, including a recent second to the in-form Beauzon, and is searching for his first victory since August. Also of interest are course-and-distance scorers Landlordtothestars and Von Krolock, while Amelia’s Joy makes her debut in cheekpieces for Michael Herrington and could be worth watching.
7.30 Wolverhampton — Bet £10 Get £40 With BetMGM Handicap (5f)
Ten runners assemble for the minimum-trip handicap, with Alasrae bidding to complete a hat-trick for trainer George Boughey and jockey Billy Loughnane. A son of Havana Grey, Alasrae was winless in seven juvenile starts but has progressed this season — beaten by a neck on his return, then recording back-to-back wins, the latest by a nose at Kempton 13 days ago — and now drops back to five furlongs aiming for three in a row.
Archie Watson’s Fortification, a £350,000 breeze-up purchase, wears first-time blinkers in search of a second career success. James Tate runs Daneh Of Dandy and Dark Angel Star, with Daneh Of Dandy making her first start on the all-weather. Course-and-distance winner Henrythenate and Brian Ellison’s Temple Of Athena are also among those to watch in this competitive sprint.
Expect competitive racing throughout the evening as connections look to build momentum early in the season.