8:00 Wolverhampton Tips

Hardstyle had shown in three sprint maidens late last year, but that was clearly just to get a handicap mark. He was well fancied over nine furlongs here at Wolverhampton on handicap debut but was beaten into fourth by one length in a blanket finish. He made no mistake, though, at Lingfield last week when being ridden closer to the pace and winning by 2.25 lengths. That was over eight furlongs, and though he drops back to seven furlongs here, the form of that last win is clearly the best on offer, and he should follow up.

Lodge is a 4-year-old gelding rated 56 whose most recent run was on 12 January at Wolverhampton over 8f, where he finished 4th of 11, beaten just over 3 lengths after being held up and making steady late progress. He handles the all-weather, stays this trip well, and that run was his best for a little while, suggesting he is edging back into form. Remaining on the same mark and in a similar race, he has a realistic chance of getting involved if the pace is strong enough to suit his late run.

Yet to win from seven starts, and this trip looks a little further than ideal. Any improvement, though, gives an each-way chance.