ASH WEDNESDAY POISED FOR WOLVERHAMPTON VICTORY

By Tony Kelshaw

Ash Wednesday could be worth the wait when lining up in division two of Wolverhampton’s Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap on Tuesday.

Heather Main’s four-year-old went into many notebooks after just failing to catch Match Anthem here on Boxing Day following a troubled passage and is taken to quickly recoup those losses.

Jack Mitchell had to snatch up his mount soon after leaving the stalls and then found himself in an uncomfortable position on the rails as they moved down the back stretch.

Fears of getting boxed in on the turn for home materialised, with the commentator describing him as “all dressed up with nowhere to go” at the start of the home straight.

Once switched out wide, Ash Wednesday fairly flew home, making rapid gains in the closing stages, but the line agonisingly came just too soon for his supporters.

Syndicate operator Deva Racing enjoyed a real hot streak at the end of 2024 and have already hit the ground running this year, so Forever Proud is backed to maintain their momentum in the Weekly Free Bets With BetMGM Extra Handicap.

James Owen’s charge was twice a winner in December, most recently coming with a smooth run to prevail over this course and distance.

The first three in the betting that night all played a part in the finish, which gives the form a solid feel, and despite another 4lb uplift, Forever Proud is still well below the mark he was on a couple of seasons ago.

Godolphin newcomer Treasure Fleet is sure to attract plenty of attention in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Novice Stakes.

Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old changed hands for 230,000 guineas as a foal and then 800,000 as a juvenile.

Although the fact that he was gelded in October is a bit of a red flag, the son of Kingman is a full brother to Group Three victor Parent’s Prayer and can hopefully start to uphold family honour here.

Bankrupt is the pick in the first division of the Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Classified Stakes.

He ended 2024 with his best run of the year, finishing second just before Christmas in a handicap over the same six furlongs he faces here.

This classified contest might prove a little less competitive and Bankrupt can take advantage.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 1 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.30 Disclosure, Race 2: 19.00 Forever Proud, Race 3: 19.30
Treasure Fleet, Race 4: 20.00 Bankrupt, Race 5: 20.30 Fast Flo, Race 6: 21.00 Lir Speciale,
Race 7: 21.30 Dark Mystery, Race 8: 22.00 Bungle Bay, Race 9: 22.30 ASH WEDNESDAY
(NAP).

ALL TO COME: Forever Proud and Ash Wednesday (Races 2 and 9).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com