8.05 Newcastle, Friday, May 4

The Foundation of Light Handicap (8.05) at Wolverhampton on Friday evening may not be as competitive as the numbers suggest, especially as Tigerwolf escapes a penalty for winning an apprentice handicap over 6 furlongs at Wolverhampton last week. The Dream Ahead gelding took a few runs to find his feet after being transferred from Mick Channon to Daniel Mark Loughnane in November, but has won two of his last three starts and was only headed in the final strides on the other.

His two previous attempts on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton were not without promise, although his chance was hindered by a slipping saddle on the first occasion and trouble in running on the second. Nevertheless, he travelled strongly into the race and ran on well to win under Ryan Holmes back at the West Midlands track last Saturday and, if in similar mood, must take some stopping. The second and third that day, Seprani and Kamra, had both been placed in better races at Kempton and Wolverhampton, respectively, on their previous starts, so the form appears to have some substance.

The only other recent winner in the field, Independence Day, was returning from a 130-day break when winning comfortably at Chelmsford last month in March, but steps up in class off a 13lb higher mark and is untried on Tapeta, so is probably best watched on this occasion. None of the others make much appeal so, hopefully, Tigerwolf can follow up.

Selection: 8.05 Newcastle Tigerwolf to win 4/1