Jamie Spencer appears to be a man with a mission this winter and he can sweep to the head of the all-weather jockeys’ championship by tomorrow evening.

The Newmarket-based rider is currently vying for the lead with George Baker and Chris Catlin in the title race.

But he boasts an impressive book of rides today at Wolverhampton, where he could snare as many as four winners.

And tomorrow at Southwell he is fancied to land a first and last race double for Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan.

Spencer and Ryan have a good strike-rate when joining forces and Grimes Faith, dropped into selling company at Southwell, should make a bold bid for the pair, as indeed should Mrs Bun in the concluding seven furlong handicap.

The latter, owned and bred by Guy Reed, won over this course and distance on her latest start. She should make a bold bid to follow up and is consequently awarded the nap vote tomorrow.

Spencer’s trip to Wolverhampton this afternoon promises to be an even more rewarding one.

The jockey, who dead-heated with Seb Sanders for the turf championship in 2007, looks a very interesting booking for Itsher in the Hotel & Conferencing At Wolverhampton Handicap.

Trained at Newmarket by the shrewd Stuart Williams, Itsher has been tried at up to a mile, but she failed to stay that distance and did not seem to quite last home over seven furlongs on her latest start at Lingfield.

Switched back to six furlongs today, Itsher is napped to break her duck.

John Hills has booked Spencer for the mount on the fairly promising Josiah Bartlett in the William Hill January Sale Now On Handicap.

He also teams up with Barwell Bridge for Sylvester Kirk in the wolverhampton- racecourse.co.uk Maiden Stakes.

Having constantly knocked at the door, and finished in the frame, Barwell Bridge is fancied to find a winning opportunity here.

Spencer can finish off this afternoon on a winning note aboard the James Fanshawe-trained Long Distance in the William Hill Handicap over a mile and a half.

A course winner, the lightly-raced four-year-old is equipped with a first-time visor as an aid to concentration.

Also worth noting is Petrovsky (4.10), who is selected to get the better of Spencer’s mount, Luckier.

The two horses have an almost identical profile, which includes winning on their latest starts.

Petrovsky, successful at Kempton, is trained by Mark Johnston at Middleham and will be partnered by Greg Fairley.


Racing selections

Wolverhampton (today)
2.10 Desert Dreamer, 2.40 Josiah Bartlett, 3.10 Itsher (NAP), 3.40 Mullitovermaurice, 4.10 Petrovsky, 4.40 Barwell Bridge, 5.10 Long Distance.

Today’s other meeting:
Fakenham (inspection 7am today). Plumpton was abandoned due to frost.

Southwell (tomorrow)
1.00 Grimes Faith, 1.30 Gayanula, 2.00 Sabancaya, 2.30 La Capriosa, 3.00 Charlotte Grey, 3.30 Ultimate, 4.00 Mrs Bun (NAP).

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Folkestone and Great Leighs.