COUNT Octave can make a rousing return to action by winning the FCL Global Forwarding Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton today.

Trainer Andrew Balding hiked his charge right up in class following a bloodless victory at this track last March, pitching him straight into a Derby trial at Chester were he ran respectably in fifth, with eventual Epsom hero finishing a handful of lengths ahead in second.

Defeat there saw Count Octave switched to the staying route and the decision nearly paid off as he was beaten just a neck by subsequent Group One winner Stradivarius in the Queen's Vase, before running a fine second in the Listed March Stakes after a summer break.

His connections felt suitably emboldened to ratchet up to the St Leger on his final start and Count Octave performed with credit, finishing fifth in the Doncaster race after coming from off the pace.

The Frankel colt is entered in next month's Yorkshire Cup and this looks a relatively straightforward assignment ahead of that important date, despite the fact he is taking a drop in trip to 12 furlongs.

Ferik can make an ideal start for Eve Johnston Houghton in the FCL Global Forwarding Novice Median Auction Stakes.

Trained by David Evans last year, Ferik shaped with promise as he hit the bar a couple of times, including on his final outing of 2017 when edged out by a head at Windsor.

Ferik is a half-brother to the classy Wigmore Hall and, given the way that horse improved with age, Ferik's best days should be ahead of him.

Fuel Injection is the pick in the FCL Global Forwarding Making Logistics Personal Handicap.

A narrow winner at Newcastle last month, he was not too far off making it a double when third at this track on his latest start.

His rider that day subsequently reported he had lost an iron early on in the race, so Fuel Injection should be ranked a little better than his length-and-a-half defeat suggests.

Lady Makfi has been in decent heart of late and can enjoy her moment in the spotlight in the FCL Global Forwarding Handicap.

Flashjack can extend his winning run to five in the Tillington Road Handicap Hurdle at Hereford.

The eight-year-old has thrived since returning to the smaller obstacles following an unsuccessful chasing stint and every time the handicapper has had his say, Flashjack has responded in style.

He lines up off a mark of 127 here but having been rated as high as 130 a couple of years ago, Henry Daly might still have something to work with.

TODAY'S SELECTIONS

DUNDALK: 4.30 Gottardo, 5.00 Pillar, 5.30 Elegant Drama, 6.00 Alghabrah, 6.30 Fashaar, 7.00 Easy Boy, 7.30 Joey Sasa.

HEREFORD: 1.40 Aardwolf, 2.10 Llantara, 2.40 One Style, 3.10 Flashjack, 3.45 Memorys, 4.15 Cloudy Bob, 4.45 Cydercourt.

HEXHAM: 2.20 Teescomponents Lad, 2.50 Snougar, 3.20 Tikkandemickey, 3.55 Pistol, 4.25 Massini's Lady, 4.55 Akarita Lights.

SOUTHWELL: 2.00 Ulis De Vassy, 2.30 Sonoftheking, 3.00 Casa Tall, 3.35 Western Wave, 4.05 Drill Baby Drill, 4.35 Shimba Hills, 5.10 Katahdin.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.45 Berkshire Royal, 6.15 Ferik, 6.45 Dance Me, 7.15 Lady Makfi, 7.45 Fuel Injection, 8.15 COUNT OCTAVE (NAP).

DOUBLE: Count Octave and Ferik.