Norton trainer Ollie Pears heads to Wolverhampton today to seek compensation for two of his runners who were beaten in photo-finishes on the same course recently.

Grudge, who went down by a neck last time, and Herbert Crescent, who failed by a mere nose, both have excellent prospects of going one better.

Grudge runs in the Betdaq Handicap over five furlongs and Pears has equipped him with an eye shield for the first time.

Francis Norton, who knows him well, takes the mount and a bold bid is anticipated from today’s nap selection.

Herbert Crescent is long overdue a winning turn. He has finished second on his last three all-weather starts.

With former champion jockey Seb Sanders in the saddle, Herbert Crescent can step up to the number one spot in the Enjoy The Lucky 7 Group Offer Handicap.

Brian Ellison is another Norton trainer with good prospects of a couple of winners on this afternoon’s card.

Ellison, whose horses are in fine form, saddles As Brave As You in the betdaqextra.com Nursery and this juvenile may not need to step up much on his recent third to Comradeship at Southwell to figure in the finish.

Daaweitza should also go well for Ellison in the Try betdaq For An Exchange Handicap.

Although the six-year-old failed to land a blow over a mile-and-a-half here last time out, today’s step up to two miles may bring about some improvement.

Geoff Oldroyd is another North Yorkshire trainer with a good chance of figuring on the Wolverhampton scoreboard.

The Brawby handler is represented by Forever’s Girl, a winner here earlier in the month, who goes for the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap (division two). It would be no surprise to see the three-year-old follow up under PJ McDonald.

At Lingfield tomorrow, Total Impact is worth a second look in the totesport.com Claiming Stakes.

Although a beaten favourite in similar company at Kempton last week, Richard Fahey’s sprinter will appreciate the return to five furlongs from six tomorrow.

The nap vote is awarded to Green Velvet, who returns to action after a two-month break in the Pam Elliott’s Birthday Surprise Handicap.

Peter Makin’s gelding goes particularly well on this course and, provided he’s fit enough to do himself justice after his short holiday, he should go well.

The in-form Mr Willis (1.00) and recent course winner Ask Jenny (2.30) are two others to note.


Racing selections

Wolverhampton (today)
2.10 Augustus John, 2.40 Grudge (NAP), 3.10 Charlie Delta, 3.40 As Brave As You, 4.10 Daaweitza, 4.40 Herbert Crescent, 5.10 Mighty Mover, 5.40 Forever’s Girl.

Today’s other meetings: Folkestone and Fakenham.

Lingfield (tomorrow)
12.30 Green Velvet (NAP), 1.00 Mr Willis, 1.30 Al Khimiya, 2.00 Total Impact, 2.30 Ask Jenny, 3.00 Cry Alot Boy, 3.30 Little Carmela.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Hereford and Southwell.