Michael Murphy, who joined Mark Johnston's powerful North Yorkshire stable in December, can ride his second winner of the year for his new boss at Southwell this afternoon.
The Irish-born 3lb claimer, who has ridden well more than 50 winners, was previously attached to the Alan Jarvis stable but he came into view last season for Johnston, who put him up on two winners, including one at Glorious Goodwood in late summer.
Murphy rode a winner for Johnston at Wolverhampton last weekend and he has every chance of doubling his score on Thatchmaster in the Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap.
Winner of two of his three races this season, including one here in January, Thatchmaster is a progressive individual. There may be more to come from him and he can come up trumps for Murphy this afternoon.
Joe Doyle, pictured, is another apprentice expected to shine. The 7lb claimer, attached to John Quinn's Norton stable, rides Bladewood Girl for John Jenkins in the 32Red Thunderstruck ll Slot Fillies' Handicap and is napped to prevail.
A decisive winner under Freddie Tylicki at Kempton three weeks ago, Bladewood Girl should take plenty of beating here with Doyle's allowance being a big bonus to offset her ratings rise.
The promising WIlly Brennan (2.30) and the ultra-consistent Shawkantango (3.05) are two others worth considering.
At Wolverhampton, Goldmadchen can get punters off to a good start in the opening Coral Mobile Handicap.
James Given's charge has been in fine form lately, twice winning on this course in handsome style. A hat-trick is on the cards before the handicapper catches up with Goldmadchen.
Norton trainer Julie Camacho takes Dubai Celebration back to Dunstall Park for the Coral Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.
A winner at Wolverhampton last month when given a good ride by Connor Beasley, the same apprentice has been booked to ride in the follow-up attempt.
Beasley, who is attached to Michael Dods' yard and who is looking likely to enjoy a productive season, can also win the Ladbrokes Handicap on Just Five.
John Weymes' gelding shaped well to finish second at Kempton on his reappearance last week. He is a previous course and distance winner here and should go well, provided this race does not come too quickly for him.
The £11,500 32Red Handicap is the feature race on the Wolverhampton programme and Captain Secret gets the vote to score for Newmarket trainer Marco Botti and jockey Adam Kirby.
Winner of three of his six races on an all-weather surface, Captain Secret scored in emphatic style at Southwell in January. He promises to go well, despite having not yet won at this venue.
Also worth noting are Collaboration (3.50), who won a Brighton maiden on his third and final juvenile start and who looks the type to pay his mark off an opening mark of 74, and Kevin Ryan's Proclamationofwar (4.55),narrowly beaten at Southwell four weeks ago on his seasonal bow.
Southwell today
2.00 Harvest Mist, 2.30 Willy Brennan, 3.05 Shawkantango, 3.40 Thatchmaster, 4.10 Gabrial’s Hope, 4.45 Emerald Breeze, 5.15 Bladewood Girl (NAP).
Wolverhampton today
2.10 Goldmadchen, 2.40 Spes Nostra, 3.15 Dubai Celebration, 3.50 Collaboration, 4.20 Captain Secret, 4.55 Proclamationofwar, 5.25 Just Five.
Today’s other meetings
Ffos Las and Kempton
Tomorrow’s meetings
Lingfield, Newcastle, Wetherby and Wolverhampton.
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