Wolverhampton Preview: Dana’s Present weighted to follow-up

Dana’s Present scored in good style last time out and can defy a rise in the weights follow-up in the 1m 1f handicap at Wolverhampton today (4.40).

The gelding pulled readily clear to beat Hickster by 2 1/4 lengths over course and distance to make it two wins from his last three starts, and has since joined trainer Tom Dascombe who does well with his runners at the venue.

That was also just the third try at the trip for the six-year-old, and those runs have resulted in two wins and a third place over course and distance

Although Dana’s Present has been hit with a 5lb rise and now races off 68, the son of Osorio has won off higher in the past and remains well-treated.

Another positive is that new connections have decided to stick with jockey Pat Cosgrave who has ridden Dana’s Present to his last two successes and been onboard for three of his five career wins.

In the 5f handicap that kicks-off proceedings (1.10), Lexington Rose can take advantage of a career-low mark to land the spoils.

The Bryan Smart trained filly is a three-time winner, with the last of those coming on the turf at Catterick in June 2014 when scoring by 1/2 a length off 70.

The four-year-old got put up to 74 for that victory but is now able to race off just 64 having shaped as if coming back to form last time out over course and distance when fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time and finishing a 1 1/2 length fourth of 10 to Shirley’s Pride.

If Lexington Rose can build on that effort she looks weighted to take all the beating in the hands of Paul Mulrennan.

Look Here’s Al is another that has been given a big chance by the assessor and looks the answer to the 1m 1f handicap (2.40).

The Andrew Hollinshead trained gelding has not scored since landing a maiden at the track on the old polytrack surface back in October 2013 when in the care of Ed McMahon, after which he was allotted and opening mark of 74.

The four-year-old went on to finish a decent third at Leicester last June off 68, and is now able to race off just 51.

That is the lowest Look Here’s Al has ever raced off, and the son of Alhaarth hinted that his time was near last time out over course and distance when staying on strongly to finish an eye-catching fourth to Cherry Tiger.

Selections:
1.10: Lexington Rose (NB)
1.40: Lineman
2.10: Desert Apostle
2.40: Look Here’s Al
3.10: Kingswinford
3.40: Persona Grata
4.10: Whitchurch
4.40: Dana’s Present (NAP)