Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from the meeting at Wolverhampton on 23 February 2024.
Race 2 – ALMODOVAR DEL RIO 2/1
ALMODOVAR DEL RIO made a promising return to action last month ahead of the Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap.
Beaten three-quarters of a length on his first spin since June, Almodavar Del Rio just dropped away in the final furlong but should strip fitter for the run and is on an appealing mark.
Race 3 – SILENT AGE 3/10
SILENT AGE can maintain his perfect record with a second victory in the Stay Golden With Betmgm Safer Gambling Novice Stakes.
As a relation of Group One winners Rebel’s Romance and Measured Time, hopes would have been high for this son of Dubawi but he did not make his racecourse bow until last month, when he had already been gelded.
Silent Age showed a fair measure of ability though, winning a Kempton maiden over a mile, showing a professional attitude to fend off a well-bred runner-up by a short head.
Charlie Appleby sends him over an extended mile here and while he must concede weight all round, Silent Age can be expected to rise to the challenge.
Race 4 – OPTICIAN 5/1
OPTICIAN can prevail in the first division, notching up a four-timer in the process.
He has triumphed three times over this course and distance since the beginning of December, with his mark rising from 55 to his current perch of 65.
Winning margins of half a length, a neck and a nose have limited the handicapper’s reaction and Optician could have something to work with still.
Race 5 – ENZOS ANGEL 9/4
ENZOS ANGEL is 4lb well-in the second division of the Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap and can take full advantage.
The five-year-old secured his first career success on his first start for Neil Mulholland, having been out of luck in his previous 10 starts for Stuart Williams.
Off the track since August, Enzos Angel was well supported at this venue last week, racing from a mark of 51 and kicking four lengths clear for what was a convincing win.
Enzos Angel must shoulder a 5lb penalty for that, but his new mark of 60 means he is still slightly ahead of the curve, with the way he stayed on over an extended nine furlongs offering hope for this mile-and-a-half trip.
