Wolverhampton (3 Dec 2005)

Only two races of interest on the card

7:30 5f 216yds - Text "Betdirect" To 88600 Claiming Stakes (Class 6) 3yo+

The draw over 6 furlongs indicates a low bias but a leap of faith is taken in the selection of Million Percent in stall 12. My reasons are as follows

Most of the runners drawn low have more questions than answers

Alpaga Le Jomage [1] – market price reflects chances
Dizzy In The Head [2] – Poor form at Wolverhampton
Doctor´s Cave [3] – 54 days since last run and last three outings don’t inspire confidence
Mystic Man [4] – On BHB ratings should outclass these but is much better over 7furlongs+
Ulysees [5] – Trainer comments indicate that he cannot handle the sand
Namir [6] – Was a 13.5 length 11th yesterday

However Million Percents last run at Lingfield (4th) was in front of Bonus who won yesterday. If he (Million Percent) can overcome the 108 day course absence in the same manner as Bonus and the draw from stall 12 (hence the leap of faith as statistically the odds are against his chances) then he should make a bold show today.

9:00 5f 20yds - betdirect.co.uk Handicap (Class 4) 3yo+

A competitive handicap in which the key focus is stalls 1-6. I’ve chosen Ok Pal in stall 1 who is interesting off this winning handicap mark of 80. Unexposed on the sand his one and only run on the All weather he ended in the rider being unseated (clipped heels inside final furlong when making progress). Today’s jockey (Ian Mongan) rides the insider rail very well so a positive show is expected along with my other selection Whitbarrow.

Favourably handicapped Whitbarrow was 4th behind Fromsong who unfortunately ran poorly yesterday so the form of their recent race may be suspect. Anyway along with Ok Pal he heads early pace figures and ratings hence the selection.