Betting: Saturday 29th November 2014

19.45 Wolverhampton: Handicap (12f, Class 3)

Esteaming: Tailed off in November Handicap, fair form over the summer without winning, career highest required on first AW career start. Good chance to take to surface on pedigree.

The Lock Master: CD winner but disappointing last four starts since winning at Southwell.

Uramazin: Poor form on return after break earlier this month and poor in handful of starts since good 2nd in hot Kempton Handicap. Never won over 12f and AW. Age may catch up.

Aladdins Cave: Veteran on good mark judged on old form, fine AW record over 12f. Below par in last two runs on Dundalk All-Weather.

Personal Opinion: Two from two on the AW, still lightly raced. Poor on turf this summer. Needs to prove he is up to current mark, but return to All-Weather sure to suit.

Art Scholar: Okay form in last number of starts without coming close to win. Up in trip should suit but looks not particularly well handicapped at the moment.

Vivat Rex: Won good maiden for Aiden O’Brien at Galway this year. Found out in subsequent Listed race and long way beaten for new yard in Listed race earlier this month. Looks lazy type but lightly raced and opening mark fair.

Cerutty: Lightly raced CD maiden winner earlier this month, very taking performance and third in Kempton maiden behind Kalaatah (subsequent fourth in Listed race) looks very good form. Mark could be lenient. 

Verdict: Not too many seem to have a realistic chance to go close. Godolphin's Personal Opinion proves popular in the betting given that the yard is in form and that he loves it here at Wolverhampton. He sure should improve from his last poor showings on turf, but neither his current handicap mark nor his price look generous. Cerutty is a very interesting runner. I fancy him to run a big race after broke his maiden tag over CD recently, with the runner-up a subsequent winner. Cerutty's performance on his subsequent start when third behind exciting Kalaatah rates a big one too and it is possible that an opening mark of 82 is lenient. For all, this is much tougher today nonetheless and he looks only a fair price to me. Vivat Rex may improve from his UK debut now going handicapping, but I like to see something from him before it is possible to judge properly. Top weight Esteaming looks overpriced though. A career highest is expected, but his form this year was pretty consistent and good in tough Handicaps bar when a long way beaten in the November handicap recently. A switch to the All-Weather is interesting and on pedigree should very much suit. If it can bring out a bit improvement, he'll go very close. Worry is obviously the weight he has to give away.

Esteaming @ 5/1 Coral - 5pts win

Betting: Friday 28th November 2014

18.10 Dundalk: Handicap (5f, 3YO plus)

Sylvan Mist: CD winner in January of 2lb lower, good fifth in big Curragh Handicap in September, found out for class in listed race last month here. This more realistic and entitled to go close. 

Strategic Heights: Goes well at this track, last win off 4lb lower but placed off higher. Fair 4th in close finish, having loads to do from the back of the field. Drop to 5f should suit and competitive here.

Canon Law: Irish debut, didn’t set world alight in UK. Drop to 5f not sure to suit.

National Service: Won poor 5f maiden at Kempton last, followed with close defeat of mark off 70 on Nursery debut. Rather lost his way since and badly outpaced over 5f last month at Lingfield.

Danz Gift: Lightly raced, finished eye-catchingly three weeks ago on handicap debut when slowly into stride and loads to do turning for home. More to come and chance of same, but needs to improve in this field.

Majestic Timeline: Goes well this track. Won off 3lb lower last winter. Disappointing last three starts but may come on for recent outing after break. On realistic mark.

Speed Dream: Veteran who has never won on AW but fair 4th here over CD lto. Chance to go well from bottom weight. 

Verdict: Top weight Sylvan Mist found life tough in a CD Listed race but her performances before should ensure that she has a big shot in this race, given that she is down to a handy mark and goes usually very well at this track. She was a good deal beaten by current favourite Strategic Heights back in February, but a 11lb swing in the weights should help to turn the table. The latter one rates a big danger nonetheless. Strategic Heights finished a close 4th recently and the drop in trip is sure to suit today. He had loads to do the last time and if he is in striking distance turning for home this time, he'll be a major contender. Lightly raced Danz Gift has obvious claims after a promising handicap debut. She has to start better though and needs to improve a bit against some tougher rivals. But she looks progressive and should run well. Majestic Timeline is not to underestimate. She will come on for her recent run after a break and she is down on a fair mark. Speed Dream should run his race but needs to have things fall absolutely right for him to win in this field. Canon Law and National Service have loads to do on form and ratings. That says the 4/1 for Sylvan Mist appear too big in the field.

Sylvan Mist @ 4/1 Betfred - 5pts win

Betting: Thursday 26th November 2014

18.25 Kempton: Nursery (Class 2) 

Muradif: Top rated, progressive and good form since winning a Nursery off 9lb lower over CD. Followed up with strong 2nd, and fair performances last two. Should appreciate drop in trip & cheek-pieces may help to focus better. But bit more required to overcome current mark.

Vegas Rebel: Very progressive in recent week. Won at Brighton, beaten by narrow margins last two, including seven days ago over CD. Quickly turned out again and can race off same mark. Obvious chance.

Colour Party: Easy maiden winner over 7f at Wolverhampton fortnight ago following up on fine runner-up in hot Newmarket maiden. Lightly raced, Handicap debut. Fair mark and more to come.

Them And Us: Lightly raced winner on racecourse debut, not entirely disgraced in hot Doncaster Nursery. Chance if takes to All-Weather.

Zaza Zest: Improved for step up in trip and slower Southwell surface when landing poor maiden a fortnight ago. Much more required here and not exactly an exciting AW pedigree.

Cascading Stars: Runner-up last three starts over 7-8f. Seems in grip of handicapper and good deal of improvement required against much tougher opposition.

Almoqatel: Debut for new yard, won CD claimer in September. Very hard to fancy on Handicap form. 

Verdict: This is a really interesting Nursery which can go either way. The only won to oppose easily are the two lowest rated individuals. They should find this here way too tough. Favourite Colour Party looks a nicely progressive sort. She was a fine 2nd in a hot Newmarket maiden and broke the tag with an impressive perfomance at Wolverhampton. The merit of that particular form is questionable, but her opening mark is fair and she is open to any kind of improvement. Her current price looks fair but nothing else though. Muradif is sure to appreciate the drop in trip. He ran with credit the last two but found the trip to far. He is a CD winner but on balance he doesn't appear to be well handicapped. Vegas Rebel's close second in a hot class 3 Nursery at Newbury is probably the stand out piece of form in this field. He was agonisingly defeated by a tight margin subsequently at Kempton again, but going off the same mark here tonight, he must rate a very good chance to be right there when it matters. He looks overpriced at 11/2. Them And Us could be an interesting runner if he takes to the All-Weather. A winner on debut and not disgraced in a hot race subsequently, he may be open to more improvement and he is getting backed off the boards at the moment. Zaza Zest is another one who may have still more to offer, even though the merit of her recent Southwell win is questionable and the switch back to polytrack not sure to suit. 

Vegas Rebel @ 11/2 VC - 5pts win

Betting: Wednesday 26th November 2014

Result from the 2.35 Lingfield: Lyn Valley 2nd, Dominandros 3rd. Favourite won it from the front. 

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19.30 Dundalk: Conditions Stakes (3yo+) 

Akasaka: Multiple course and distance winner. Beaten in 7f claimer under very favourable conditions. First start for new yard now.

Dolce N Karama: Once 4th behind Kingston Hill in Racing Post Throphy. Not fulfilling promise subsequently, still a maiden but gutsy runner-up in 10f Leopardstown Handicap last month. Drop in trip not sure to suit.

Camakasi: Broke maiden tag with impressive success over CD earlier this month. Strengths of that form a question mark though. Looks improving and more to come.

Doc Holliday: CD winner and excellent form in recent weeks, winner of big Curragh handicap, followed up with another strong performance in hot race. Bit to do on weights probably and trip slight concern.

Artistic Integrity: Good winner of 7f Handicap at Gowran Park this summer, followed up with third at Leopardstown. Disappointed when last seen. Hast to prove stamina. 

Verdict: Wide open race and you can pick holes into the credentials of each and every individual. Probably the one that is easiest to rule out is Artistic Integrity who does look up against it and unlikely to stay the trip. Recent maiden winner Camakasi heads the market currently and looks a solid chance, given the visual impressive performance lto. It is a concern that it took him eleven races to win, though, and the form of the maiden looks pretty poor, so it is debatable what is really worth and today will be a much better indicator. Aksaka's track record is excellent but on form he is opposable and it is a major worry that he wasn't able to win a claimer over CD which he was entitled to win on ratings and weights lto. The change of yard might help though. Dolce N Karama once promising 2yo career hasn't concluded in a progressive classic season and while he has done better lately in handicaps, the drop in trip is a real worry as he looks more of a stayer than a miler. However if he gets an easy lead up on front, it is not impossible that he can outstay his rivals. Doc Holliday may has to give weight away to the three year olds and doesn't appear to be well weighted, but on form he is the best horse in the race. He was an impressive winner of a low grade handicap at the Curragh over 7f this summer, clearly having loads in hand. And he followed up with a strong performance in a hot Curragh Handicap over 1m where he didn't have things going quite his way. This rates a very strong piece of form in my mind and the only slight concern is that the trip here today could stretch his stamina. He has won over 1m before, but I suspect his optimum is 7f. Nonetheless, he rates a big chance in this field and looks overpriced against the other runners. 

Doc Holliday @ 4/1 Betfred - 5pts win

Betting: Wednesday, 26th November 2014

14.35 Lingfield: Handicap (Class 2)

Viewpoint: CD Winner, Last career win came over 12f here. Not a particularly good summer in big handicaps over the summer. Back on the AW will help, but on a high enough mark.

Castilo Del Diablo: Course winner over 12f, excelled on the AW over further in spring. Not seen since April. Trip probably too sharp and will come on for run.

Maverick Wave: Well bred & generally lightly raced, 3rd in hot Handicap over 9,5f at Wolverhampton. Talented and more to come but concern over trip and stamina up to 10f now.

Energia Fox: Brazilian import. Second in G1 earlier this year back home. Two 3rd places in Listed company since racing in UK. Surface unknown and might be better suited to further.

Lyn Valley: Decent handicapper, won Doncaster class 2 in July, disappointing in two most recent start. Little break. AW debut. Should be well suited on pedigree but career highest required.

Dominandros: Won twice in France this year, including maiden on AW. Not disgraced when 5th in hot AW conditions stakes over 1m at Chantilly last month. Return to 10f may suit. 

Verdict: I was very sweet on Maverick Wave the last time he was seen at Wolverhampton. He was backed off the boards that day - exactly the same happening this morning - but I felt he was rather disappointing the way he finished the race, having it on his mercy turning for home. My concern back then was that he may not quite stay the trip, which was what happened. He goes up an additional half furlong today. While it is not impossible that he finds the required improvement given that he is well bred and lightly raced, I find it hard to have enough confidence to back him for a very short price. However in this small field, the pace might be not as relentless as the last time, which should suit him. Nonetheless, 5/4 seems way too short. The Brazilian import Energia Fox is a very interesting runner if she is able to handle the All-Weather. She looks talented enough and is potentially on a very fair mark. The trip might be a bit too sharp though, and on pedigree I can't find too much that makes me confident that polytrack is her surface. So today I'm going to avoid her. I suspect that Castilo Del Diablo will use this run as a stepping stone after abscence, and Viewpoint may well be competitive, but is by no means well handicapped. The two horses towards the rear of the betting are very interesting though. Lyn Valley has the pedigree to excel on the All-Weather. He's been a decent handicapper, won a good handicap this year and may a horse that can improve now switched to synthetics. He is high enough in the mark but could easily outrun his price tag. The same counts for Dominandros, who is a bit an unknown quantity on his Handicap debut. However he is still lightly raced and shaped with promise in a couple of starts. He won on the All-Weather in France and when seen there the last time a couple of weeks ago, he ran well in a hot race. Up in tip shouldn't be a problem given that he won over 10f on soft ground in the past. That say he could be anything today, but given his nice AW profile, he is quite a big price. 

Dominandros @ 12/1 William Hill - 5pts win

Lyn Valley @ 14/1 Bet365 - 5pts win

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Nice winner yesterday with Street Artist, who won really well and much easier than expected. The perception that he has more to offer and a big chance quickly turned out under a penalty was right. He travelled much the best in hands of Joe Fanning and drew clear in the closing stages. The handicapper will probably catch up with him now, though

Betting: Tuesday 25th November 2014

15.10 Southwell: Handicap (Class 5)

Street Artist: Overcame widest draw and poor start to make all & win with plenty in hand lto. Pedigree to do really well on fibresand. Big chance under penalty.

Classic Colori: Has been hurdling lately. Potentially on very fair mark and good chance to go well on fibresand, but trip the big question mark. Though bit of stamina on dam side.

Yul Finegold: Fine second lto and 2lb rise in the weights leveled out through 7lb claimer on board today. Hasn’t won over 12f yet (0/5) and fibresand debut.

Luv U Whatever: Four times course winner, drop in class. May found 12f tick too far and not particularly well handicapped.

Layline: Has been placed in three of four Southwell starts. Gets the trip but mark high enough.

Royal Marskell: Good runner-up earlier this month, can race off same mark.

Mixed Message: Won seller lto. Didn’t land a blow in handicaps this year. Hard to know what to expect off current mark.

Reach The Beach: CD winner earlier this month, beating Royal Marskell that day. Cam well clear and chance to follow up. 

Verdict: I can't see why Luv U Whatever is a short as 5/2 and heading the market. His Southwell record is impressive but the trip seems too far judged on previous forms and given his current mark doesn't appear to be particularly generous, I find it easy to oppose him. Reach The Beach as recent course and distance winner should be right in the mix. She won well earlier this month and off a revised mark she can still go well today. Royal Marksell was fair and square beaten in the same race as a second that day and despite the swing in the weights, he may be simply in the grip of the handicapper. Street Artist tops the weights and is turned out quickly under a penalty a recent success at Wolverhampton. He must rate a big chance and looks overpriced. Leaving the turf forms aside, he has very strong All-Weather form to offer and his most recent success was visually very impressive. He had the widest draw to overcome, started poorly, yet jumped soon to the front of the field and set a very fair pace. Yet he was well able to quicken in the closing stages to draw clear and win in excellent style. He looks like an improving horse on the All-Weather and the switch to Southwell shouldn't stop that at all. He appeared to be perfectly fine on the fibresand on his first start when 2nd in a maiden last year, and on pedigree he has very strong credentials to well on this surface. 

Street Artist @ 7/2 Coral - 5pts win

Betting: Thursday 6th November 2014

19.40 Wolverhampton (Class 2 Handicap) - If Solar Deity is fully fit after his 202 days long break, he has a big chance, but I feel with the mark and big weight to shoulder, he is vulnerable if not at his brilliant best tomorrow. Favourite Maverick Wave makes plenty of appeal though. He is lovely bred, with a nice US pedigree and has strong form to his name, most recently on British Champions Day in a big Handicap where he finished a strong runner-up. He won on the All-Weather earlier this year and in fact the surface should be no problem at all. His mark looks more than fair as he could be easily the class act in this field, given that he has a weight advantage, all seems set up nicely for a win. Only slight concern is the trip. Not impossible that he gets the 9,5f, but something we have to find out tomorrow on the track. I still regard his price as too big given all the other facts mentioned. 

Small saver Earth Drummer. He tries the trip for the first time as well, but on pedigree there is no reason why he shouldn't get - and in fact - shouldn't improve for it. By Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas out of a Giant's Causeway mare who's sire is dual Derby winner Generous. ED tried the AW quite recently for the first time, finished 3rd in a hot 7f race while having to overcome a wide draw and certainly didn't get the run of the race either. He stayed on nicely in the end. He should go close too and is overpriced imo. 

Maverick Wave @ 5/2 Bet365 - 10pts win

Earth Drummer @ 11/2 Bet365 - 5pts win

15.20 Meydan: Alraased @ 28/1 VC - 1pt win + Filfil @ 9/1 VC - 1pt win

Meydan opens its doors for the first time for their new season - a special one, as they laid out a new Dirt surface, which is replacing the Tapeta surface, which was in place the last couple of years. We will see how that goes. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of this surface, but I'm open minded to give it a fair chance. Anyway, I'm going to have a small punt on Alraased in the second race at Meydan today. Not sure what to get from him today but he looks pretty well handicapped on old form, being allowed to race off 75, while he won off 84 at Kempton a while ago. 2013 was a wasted year and he hasn't been seen for well over year until returning at Jebel Ali last month. Well beaten that day, but up in trip to 7f looks the right trip today and a four pound lower mark should give him a chance if he can regain some of his old best. Dirt is an interesting surface for him, with his US pedigree, it could work well. Otherwise nothing too obvious in this race in my mind anyway, even though Filfil makes also some appeal to me for a bigger price, given the fact that off 87 in February this year at Meydan, and is down to 80 now. He has a fine Dirt pedigree and may go well as a fresh horse today, the trip isn't an issue.