With Kelso off, opportunities are limited on Sunday, and best bet is the unexposed Pearl Nation in the seven furlong handicap at Wolverhampton (16:00). Brian Baugh is not one of the biggest names in the training ranks, but he enjoys his fair share of success on polytrack, and has a potentially useful sort on his hands with this son of Speightstown. His sire was a Breeders Cup Sprint winner who has produced a high percentage of winners to runners, particularly on dirt and synthetic surfaces, and while Pearl Nation's sole win to date came on turf at Doncaster, he will prove at least as well suited to the surface at Dunstall Park, as he showed when an excellent second to the reopposing Powerful Pierre over C&D on Boxing Day.
Now 3 lb off for that narrow defeat, a more significant factor may be the fact that Pearl Nation was having his first outing since May, and just his tenth overall. With progress in the offing, he can turn the tables on his recent conqueror, and prove himself on a good mark at the same time. His draw in stall six is no problem, and there should be no tactical advantage to be gained, with Al's Memory best when dominating, and almost certain to set a solid pace. That one might be dangerous if the others allow him to poach a lead, but has looked vulnerable under pressure on recent starts.
In the sprint handicap at 13:30, the pace looks set to be strong, and that could set things up for the strong-travelling Nafa, who can sit off the pace and pounce late. She showed herself as good as ever when returning from a break recently (second to Tax Free), and should be at her peak now. With a trio of these having made all last time, but potentially compromised by similar tactics here, she looks to have the perfect stalking scenario, and is overpriced at morning odds.
Recommendations:
Both at Wolverhampton
Back Pearl Nation @ [6.2] in the 16:00 (NAP)
Back Nafa @ [8.6] in the 13:30 (NB)
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