UK racing tips – Monday 13 March 2023

WOLVERHAMPTON

RACE 1 GIVE A LITTLE BACK 5/1

Sean Curran’s GIVE A LITTLE BACK is of interest in the curtain-raiser at Wolverhampton. The bay gelding has been largely campaigned over trips of six and seven furlongs but stepped up in distance last time out when second over an extended mile at Wolverhampton in mid-February. Beaten only three-quarters of a length on that occasion, the four-year-old can build on that fine effort under Rab Havlin to win for the first time in a career that has seen him placed four times.

Race 2: TIMEWAVE 13/8

Charlie Johnston’s well-bred TIMEWAVE made a winning start to the year on his handicap debut in January, enjoying a step up to a mile and a half on Kempton’s all-weather track. The son of Sea The Stars tackles the same trip again at Wolverhampton in this handicap test under Franny Norton, and has enough potential at middle distances to overcome the 6lb rise.

Race 4: DIVINE RAPTURE 13/8

DIVINE RAPTURE can follow up her debut success in this novice stakes at Wolverhampton. The James Tate-trained four-year-old took on a one-mile Lingfield novice event on her introduction, prevailing by a length in a green run that left ample room for improvement. The grey is by Dark Angel and out of Titivation, a mare who has already produced a black-type performer in Mark Johnston’s Titi Makfi. At Wolverhampton, Divine Rapture will run over half a furlong further than on her first start and with a run under her belt should be hard to beat.

Race 5 ROCK CHANT 1/1

Ian Williams’ ROCK CHANT tackles two miles in what should a fascinating handicap test. The five-year-old seems to have turned a corner since being stepped up to staying trips, finishing second over a mile and six furlongs at Southwell in February before winning a two-mile event at Lingfield just a few days ago. A 5lb penalty for his near four-length strike on Wednesday is unlikely to be enough to prevent him from making it a quickfire double at Dunstall Park.

TAUNTON

Race 5: KILLALOAN 11/8

Taunton punters are advised to put their faith in the Paul Nicholls-trained KILLALOAN in the fifth. Unplaced in three Flat starts in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh, the five-year-old shaped with promise in his first two hurdle races before making it third time lucky with a dominant 11-length success over this course and distance three weeks ago. He enters the handicap sphere off what appears to be a workable mark of 112 and can provide the champion trainer with a confidence-boosting winner on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival.

PLUMPTON

Race 2: BOLSOVER BILL 6/4

At Plumpton, it is Warren Greatrex’s BOLSOVER BILL who appeals in this handicap chase. The six-year-old is never far away from the action and has already won three times over fences this season, most recently at Ffos Las in early January. He was a well-held second at Fontwell last time out, but his form suggests he will be more at home on this softer ground and another bold bid is anticipated under 7lb claimer Dylan Kitts.