CAN the Thug throw his weight around again at Wolverhampton today?

That’s the burning question as the Malton-trained Gabrial The Thug goes for four straight wins at the Dunstall Park venue.

Trained by Richard Fahey, the five-year-old, who goes for the Ladbrokes Handicap, has proved a revelation lately. He rattled up a hat-trick over this course and distance in January and February, winning off marks of 54, 57 and 60.

Life is getting tougher now for the Thug, who is up to a rating of 65.

But he is in such great heart and with regular jockey Tony Hamilton having struck up such a good rapport with him, it would be no surprise to see him prevail once more.

Fahey could also be in the money with La Dorotea in the 32Red Casino Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The three-year-old has finished in the money in all her four starts in maiden company on a synthetic surface, including a respectable third on this course just under a fortnight ago.

George Chaloner again has the mount.

Richard Kingscote, who recently returned to action after suffering a broken arm and shoulder and also puncturing a lung in a dreadful fall on this course in November, can notch his first win since his comeback on Trending in the Unibet Handicap over five furlongs.

The Jeremy Gask-trained sprinter came good at this track last month and has every chance of delivering again.

Robben, the mount of Jimmy Quinn, may prove the solution to the 32Red Handicap.

Lightly-raced and yet to open his winning account, John Mackie’s gelding gave an encouraging display on his comeback outing here seven weeks ago when staying on well to claim second place behind Let Right Be Done over an extended nine furlongs.

This step up to a mile and a half may suit him even better.

Also worth noting on the Tapeta circuit are Tim Easterby’s Surround Sound (2.10), who steps up in distance, and recent winner Matraash (5.00).

Over the jumps at Ludlow, Kudu Country is worthy of attention in the featured Wye Valley Brewery Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old, trained these days by Evan Williams, was running a fine race at Chepstow last time when he unseated his rider at the final fence when two lengths down on the winner Oscar Hill.

He is worth another chance in this two-miler.

Crafty Roberto is napped to take advantage of a drop in class in the ROA/Racing Post Owners’ Jackpot Novices’ Handicap Chase.

His respectable fourth-placed effort at Newbury last time was achieved in a Class 3 race.

He is now dropped a grade by trainer Alex Hales and his previous form at Uttoxeter and Taunton entitle him to plenty of respect.

Dewala, who provided Tony McCoy with a winner at Catterick last month just a matter of days after he had announced his planned retirement, turns out under Jonathan England in the Bitterley Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

The Mick Appleby-trained six-year-old, who had previously scored under Richard Johnson at Doncaster, is a hard horse to tackle once out in front.

She is fancied to chalk up another pillar-to-post success, despite her inflated handicap mark.

Wolverhampton today: 2.10 Surround Sound, 2.40 Trending, 3.15 Kodiac Lady, 3.50 Robben, 4.25 Gabrial The Thug, 5.00 Matraash, 5.30 La Dorotea.

Ludlow today: 2.20 Area Fifty One, 2.55 Crafty Roberto (NAP), 3.30 Dewala, 4.05 Kudu Country, 4.40 Pacha Du Polder, 5.10 Stephanie Frances, 5.45 Native Display.

Today’s other meetings: Chepstow and Chelmsford City.