On the evidence so far, Darryll Holland is going to be a big threat to Kieren Fallon in the race for this year's jockeys' championship.

Holland, whose main retainer is Geoff Wragg, has a good number of other in-form yards backing him, including Clive Brittain, Gay Kellaway and Jeremy Noseda.

Strength in the saddle is one of Holland's main assets but he's also one of the best judges of pace on the circuit, as he has shown on numerous occasions this term on both the sand and turf.

At Wolverhampton this afternoon, it will be no surprise to see him attempt to make all aboard Mark Tompkins' Sparky's Mate in the betdirect.co.uk Maiden over the extended mile.

The three-year-old is more exposed than a couple of these rivals but he's a reliable sort at up to this trip and, as he's already raced from the front, he could get the run of the race in this ordinary event.

He should be all the better for a recent pipe-opener at Lingfield, where he ran a respectable fifth and that form is already working out well with both the third and the seventh winning since.

Holland is also an interesting booking for Chris Thornton's course and distance winner Molotov in the wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Claimer over six furlongs. Although he has a bit to find on official figures, the return to this trip and this Fibresand surface should suit and he could well be galvanised by both Holland and the first time blinkers. He's taken to beat Miss Champers, who is the pick on official ratings and is from the in-form Richard Hannon yard.

Holland's mount Teorban is one to keep an eye on in the Bet Direct On ITV Page 367 Handicap over a mile and seven but he's very much an unknown quantity and preference is for Adalpour.

A good pace is essential to Adalpour's prospects and it looks as though this dual Fibresand winner will get it here with a couple of front-runners in the line-up.

At Bath the relatively lightly-raced Pop Gun makes a fair bit of appeal for the in-form Barry Hills in the Courage Showcase Handicap over a mile and a quarter.

As the yard are going well lack of a previous outing isn't that much of a concern and, as his best effort last year came on firm ground, today's conditions aren't a concern.

Pat Eddery can also be on the mark with handicap debutant Exit To Heaven in the Charles Stanley Stockbrokers Fillies Handicap over a mile.

The yard have made a fair start and, although the handicapper hasn't taken too many chances, the horse is open to plenty of improvement and she seems fully effective on fast ground.

The veteran jockey can also get the day off to a good start by partnering Only If I Laugh, who showed promise on his debut at Lingfield last week, to victory in the opener over five furlongs.

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