DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

SATURDAY JAUNARY 4

6.20 WOLVERHAMPTON

WONDER (NAP) (best price 5-2) got stopped more times than an ice cream van at Newcastle last time out and he rates a strong choice to make amends over a trip that threatens to suit.

James Fanshawe’s inmate was a hard one to assess heading into his most recent assignment but on the evidence available at the Gosforth Park venue, there’s a decent chance he could still be well handicapped. Had he received a better passage throughout the final two furlongs 23 days ago, he would have given the in-form, Asgard’s Captain, plenty to think about and with the speed figure good and the third home, Knockbrex, going on to score easily yesterday, his effort in defeat rates even more meritorious.

Although his victory over tonight’s course doesn’t amount to much, at least we know he handles the surface well and with plenty of stamina in his pedigree, he is fancied to overcome his lack of experience.

WONDER – 2-point win@5-2

6.35 SOUTHWELL

ORMOLULU (best price 4-1) and Rebel Empire are technically, closely matched on their meeting here six days ago, but considering Gemma Tutty’s mare had to forfeit plenty of ground in the early stages to her main market rival, she makes plenty of appeal in her bid to confirm the form now much better off in the ballot.

While Rebel Empire took advantage of his inside draw (stall 2) at the Colwick Park track, the daughter of Havana Gold had little choice but to languish in the rear after being posted out widest of all in stall 11, yet despite this impost, she still managed to cut down her old rival to size late on.

In fact, she won a shade snugly at the line and now less inconvenienced by the draw, the five-year-old can complete a hat trick of victories over the C&D within the space of three weeks.

ORMOLULU – 1-point win@4-1

8.20 WOLVERHAMPTON

MASQOOL (best price 7-2) produced his best speed figure when landing a similar contest over tonight’s C&D last time out and with the form of his victory handsomely boosted by the runner-up twice since, James Evans’s seven-year-old can go back-to-back for the third time in his career.

Despite the race being shrouded in fog, we saw enough to notice he was being pestered for the lead at various points at the Dunstall Park circuit, but it didn’t stop him from hanging tough all the way down the straight and ultimately running out a deserved winner.

Although the front running tactics he employed clearly worked a treat, he doesn’t necessarily have to lead and having won off a mark of 71 in the not-too-distant past, he still has plenty of wriggle room here this evening off 62.

MASQOOL – 1-point win@7-2