Usher’s Spirit Of Rowdown ready to regain the winning habit

Spirit Of Rowdown tries to go one better than last time - in the Get Your Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boost Handicap at Wolverhampton today. Usher's busy gelding was having his 11th run since his mid-summer debut when just denied over this extended mile last time.

He and Charlie Bennett are back for more and, albeit up another 3lb for their trouble, have a fine chance to regain the winning thread which brought them a hat-trick together before Christmas - including two course-anddistance successes.

Sharp Suited can turn on the style as he returns to the Flat in the Betway Handicap.

Brian Ellison's six-year-old has made just five racecourse appearances, four of them at Newcastle.

He won the last of his three quick runs on the Flat in late 2019 - having been placed in the other two, beaten an aggregate five lengths in novice events.

After a break of just over a year, Sharp Suited broke a blood vessel when very distant on his hurdles debut in December but was then a much more promising fourth of 13 against some useful oppomark nents back on the Tapeta for a jumpers' bumper at Gosforth Park.

That was just under a fortnight ago, and this second visit to Wolverhampton could well prove profitable.

Sharp Suited was a slightly unlucky runner-up here on only his second career start, and this drop back in trip from two miles gives him the opportunity to demonstrate he can progress from his Flat rating of 76.

Over jumps at Sedgefield, Staffordshire trainer Jennie Candlish and jockey Sean Quinlan appear to have a strong hand.

They team up with both Crack Du Ninian, in the closing Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle, and Oscars Leader in the Subscribe To Attheraces

On Youtube Handicap Hurdle.

The former is bidding for his third victory in four starts this term and has had a near twomonth breather since his latest win.

The consistent Oscars Leader was perhaps below his best at Market Rasen two weeks ago.

He did, however, bump into a very smart performer in Edwardstone - and having been outclassed when that winner challenged him for the lead, he faded into third.

There is nothing of Edwardstone's calibre here, and Oscars Leader can pick up a deserved first victory of the season.