AXEL JACKLIN can continue a profitable start to 2022 with a victory in the Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap (5.30) at Wolverhampton.
Chelsea Banham’s six-year-old began the year with a head second to Burtonwood over Dunstall Park’s seven furlongs on January 5.
And he went one better dropped to six furlongs at Wolverhampton 17 days later, making all the running under Joey Haynes to beat Indian Affair by a length and a half.
The British Horseracing Authority handicapper hasn’t gone overboard, putting my selection up 3lb to a new rating of 52.
There shouldn’t be too much competition for the lead here and Axel Jacklin, who was winning from a higher mark from this at the start of 2021, should give another good account of himself.
Later on the Wolverhampton card, CIVIL LAW is taken to confirm his last-time-out course-and-distance running with Society Red in the Betway Casino Handicap (7.30).
Three-quarters of a length separated the pair in the middle of last month when Civil Law racked up a third career win and a second score on the Tapeta surface.
Roger Teal revealed afterwards that the gambled-on winner had been treated for a back problem during his four-month lay-off, so there is every chance Civil Law, 2lb worse off with the runner-up, can take another step forward.
Monday's tips
CATTERICK BRIDGE
1.00 EAST STREET
1.30 JUST CALL ME AL
2.05 MISS FAIRFAX
2.40 TIMBERMAN
3.15 OMAR MARETTI
3.50 YOU WEAR IT WELL
PLUMPTON
1.45 MARK OF GOLD
2.20 JUNGLE PROSE
2.55 UBETYA
3.30 TECHNOLOGICAL
4.05 FAIRWAY FREDDY
4.40 CHECKITSME
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.00 YOU’RE COOL
5.30 AXEL JACKLIN (NAP)
6.00 KENTUCKY KINGDOM
6.30 NATE THE GRATE
7.00 CARNIVAL GIRL
7.30 CIVIL LAW (NB)
8.00 DEMBE
8.30 SUBJECTIVE VALUE
