Martin Lane, who hit the heights at York in July when winning the John Smith’s Cup on Wigmore Hall, ended the turf season as champion apprentice, and has decided to ply his talents on the all-weather circuit this winter instead of taking up an offer to ride in Dubai.

Lane is keen to capitalise on his growing reputation and build his list of contacts, which now include North Yorkshire trainer Bryan Smart, who gave him the leg up on Fearless Poet at Southwell last week.

Fearless Poet, Lane’s first mount for Smart, duly obliged in a driving finish and Lane teams up with the juvenile again tomorrow on the same course.

Lightly-raced, the two-year-old, who was having his first run on Fibresand last week, is open to further improvement. A 6lb penalty may not stop him from doubling up in the Richard Matthews 40th Birthday Nursery.

Ebraam (12.05), winner of his last two races at Lingfield and Wolverhampton, bids to add Southwell to his glory list in the opening claimer, while Brian Ellison’s Stadium Of Light (1.45) is likewise worthy of respect.

Narrowly beaten by Sunny Spells here last time out, Stadium Of Light drops back three furlongs in distance tomorrow, a tactic which might well suit this strong travelling gelding.

A step up to seven furlongs in the classified stakes promises to pay dividends for Sir Louis (2.55), who is napped to go one better following his recent runner-up effort on this course.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Sir Louis, also has good prospects of figuring among the winners at Wolverhampton’s bumper ten-race programme.

The Malton trainer can score with Bawaardi (3.15), who has been running well lately, and Mighty Clarets (4.50), who was a winner here last week.

That success was a red letter occasion for young George Chaloner, notching the first winner of his career.

Chaloner takes the mount again tomorrow and his 7lb claim will again come in handy on his penalised mount.

Shane B Kelly is another North Yorkshire apprentice with the chance to shine at Wolverhampton. He teams up with Dontpaytheferryman (6.20), on whom he scored at Southwell last Saturday.

Kelly, who is attached to John Quinn’s yard, rides Dontpaytheferryman for Norton colleague Brian Ellison, whose teams are in excellent form.

Also worthy of a second look are impressive Southwell winner Potomac (3.45), who has his first crack in handicap company, and Private Equity (6.50), a previous course winner.

Racing selections

Southwell
12.05 Ebraam, 12.35 Phase Shift, 1.10 Even Stevens, 1.45 Stadium Of Light, 2.20 Fearless Poet, 2.55 Sir Louis (NAP), 3.30 D’Uberville.

Wolverhampton
2.05 Malpas Missile, 2.40 Cloud Illusions, 3.15 Bawaardi, 3.45 Potomac, 4.20 Al Rayanah, 4.50 John Potts, 5.20 Mighty Clarets, 5.50 Hector Spectre, 6.20 Dontpaytheferryman, 6.50 Private Equity.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Ascot and Uttoxeter.

Today’s meetings:
Exeter, Kempton, Southwell and Towcester.