A competitive Class 6 sprint rounds off the Wolverhampton card, with several closely matched handicappers arriving in decent form and tactical positioning likely to prove crucial over the sharp 6f.

Massimo Blue heads the market after an eye-catching third at Kempton, where he was beaten only a short head and a neck despite racing from a difficult outside draw. Dropping back into Class 6 on a surface he has already shown he handles well, George Baker’s four-year-old sets the standard on recent form and looks the one they all have to beat.

The chief threat could be Master Dandy, whose recent course-and-distance third has worked out particularly well, with horses around him winning since. He remains attractively handicapped and, although drawn a little wider than ideal, another bold bid looks likely if reproducing that performance.

Veteran Candy Warhol is an interesting tactical player. A habitual front-runner, he may find himself enjoying an uncontested lead, and Wolverhampton’s Tapeta surface can reward those allowed to dictate. If settling into his rhythm early, he could take plenty of pegging back and rates a lively each-way contender.

Federal Envoy is capable of getting involved on his best form but has questions to answer after a disappointing run at Yarmouth and may ultimately prove better suited by seven furlongs. Watermelon Sugar, a previous course-and-distance winner, has slipped back to a dangerous mark and could outrun his odds if rediscovering his winter form, while Auntie Jo remains one of the more interesting unexposed runners despite stepping back up to six furlongs.

The remainder have something to prove. White Umbrella is well handicapped on old form but needs to bounce back, Brave Empire has a poor draw and a lengthy losing sequence to overcome, while Crystal Dagger, Landlordtothestars, Never Dark, and Blue Lancero all require significant improvement.

With only one confirmed front-runner in the field, the pace is unlikely to be frantic, favouring those racing prominently. That scenario could play into the hands of both Massimo Blue and Candy Warhol, while Master Dandy looks poised to capitalise if the leaders overdo things in the closing stages.

Prediction:

1. Massimo Blue
2. Master Dandy
3. Candy Warhol

Best Bet: Master Dandy (value)

Most Likely Winner: Massimo Blue