Bobering looks on handy mark in bid for his course hat-trick; RP RATINGS.

Byline: Sam Walker

BOBERING has won twice at Wolverhampton in the last year and has slipped back to what looks a handy mark as he tries to take his tally to three in the Lloyd Fraser Distribution Handicap (9.20).

The Brian Baugh-trained gelding showed very little form in his first three seasons and failed to win until December, when getting off the mark in a banded stakes over course and distance at the age of six.

He equalled his career-best Racing Post Rating of 49 that day, but the late-maturer was able to improve on that three starts later in January when beating the well-treated Mademoiselle in a class 6 handicap over the same track and trip. The first two pulled six lengths clear of the remainder that day and the form has worked out well, with the third, seventh and eighth all successful within their next two starts.

The winner picked up a career-best RPR of 61 for his effort and confirmed that improvement in his next race, running to a figure of 57 when fourth to Norwegian off an official mark of 52 in March. They didn't go quick enough for him that day and he remains vulnerable off a slow pace, but he posted a solid return to action behind Weet Yer Tern last time and looks capable of winning off 50.

Domesday looks a leading danger on form. He was a short head behind Grandad Bill at Thirsk last time out and gets in off the same mark. The six-year-old is still a maiden, but he has shaped well on his last two starts and should be able to land a low-grade event in the near future.

He is entitled to make the frame with a repeat of his latest effort, but will need to improve to match Bobering at the weights. Zhitomir was a neck behind Domesday last time out and he can go well off this mark judged on his 2006 form, but this trip may stretch his stamina.

Today's bets

Bobering

9.20 Wolverhampton

Nap

Arabiyah

8.55 Wolverhampton

Drop in trip

Earned an RPR of 60 on her handicap debut over 1m2f, but failed to see out the 1m6f trip at Redcar last time out. She should be able to bounce back to form over 1m4f and is entitled to go well off an official mark of 54 for the Luca Cumani yard, which is firing in the winners.

Ireland's Call

8.45 Dundalk

Same again

Won five in a row last season, with a peak RPR of 96, and has been creeping back to that level of form this year. He ran to an RPR of 94 when second to Orpailleur at Listowel last time out and should be able to turn that form around at the revised weights.