King Nicholas, who provided Warthill trainer John Parkes with a win at Southwell last week, can follow-up at Wolverhampton tomorrow.

The six-year-old goes for the Littlewood Bet Direct Apprentice Handicap and will be partnered by Mark Lawson, who knows him well and who is one of the most talented riders in the race.

A money-spinner for Parkes' stable, King Nicholas landed some decent-sized bets when getting home under David Allan on his latest start.

A 6lb penalty may not be enough to anchor him tomorrow and punters concerned that he is switching from fibresand to polytrack need have no worries.

King Nicholas, my Nap selection, has shown his effectiveness on both all-weather tracks and is a course-and-distance winner.

Noel Wilson, who trains alongside John Parkes at Mel Brittain's establishment on the outskirts of York, saddles Stallone in the Bet Direct Claiming Stakes.

Tony Hamilton's mount, who had a second-placed effort last week, is expected to take plenty of beating.

Norton trainer Linda Stubbs could be involved in the business end of the Bet Direct On Sky Active Handicap over six furlongs with Zoom Zoom, the mount of Robert Winston.

A Wolverhampton winner two outings ago, Zoom Zoom was beaten only two lengths into third by Mistral Sky when attempting to follow-up. Both those races were over seven furlongs, but Zoom Zoom has enough pace to cope with the drop back in distance.

The pick of Paul Nicholls' entries at Wincanton looks to be Were In Touch (1.30). Out of action all last season, Were In Touch shaped well on his comeback over hurdles at Chepstow six weeks ago. He switches to fences tomorrow and the bigger obstacles are expected bring out the best in him.

Tomorrow's tips:

Wolverhampton

1.10 Stallone, 1.40 Salon Prive, 2.10 Ligne d'Eau, 2.40 Zoom Zoom, 3.10 Ever Cheerful, 3.40 King Nicholas (Nap), 4.10 Bellalou, 4.40 Mr Kalandi.

Wincanton

1.00 Nanga Parbat, 1.30 Were In Touch, 2.00 King Killone, 2.30 Luneray, 3.00 Whitenzo, 3.30 Pure Mischief.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Ludlow.

Updated: 10:53 Wednesday, January 05, 2005