Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday October 8

Two of today's SmartPlays come from Wolverhampton.
Very much an 'after the Lord Mayor's show' feel to Monday's racing, but there are still some bets to be had at Wolverhampton and Pontefract...
It's an early start in relative terms, with our opening SmartPlay coming in the very first British race of the day, Wolverhampton's seven-furlong handicap at 14:00. It's not a bad race for the grade, but Light From Mars really stands out at the weights following a recent C&D win. It's less than 18 months ago that he was showing form that bordered on smart when winning the Spring Cup at Newbury and, having largely struggled afterwards, he'd shown more promise on the all-weather for the Patrick Morris yard prior to his victory in a tongue tie last time. Light From Mars has now joined Ian Williams, which can only really be taken as a positive in the grand scheme, and would need show only a little more resurgence to bring up a second successive win.
We stay at Wolverhampton for our second selection, which comes in the six-furlong handicap at 15:30. This race isn't very strong, and that's why we're all the more confident about the in-form Majestic Breeze. He's been slowly creeping forward ever since breaking his maiden over C&D in early-July, his last run (also over C&D) representing a career-best effort from Brian Ellison's charge. What's more, he was up with a strong pace that day, doing well to hold on for second all things considered, and raised just 1 lb for his trouble definitely sets the standard today.
Finally, we make the trip to Pontefract, which today hosts the Phil Bull Trophy over two and a quarter miles of Britain's longest continuous circuit. On Timeform ratings, there are only really two in the hunt for this, Darley Sun and Zuider Zee. Our preference is for the latter, 7 lb clear on adjusted Timeform ratings and having much the more encouraging profile this year. Since winning the November Handicap last year, Zuider Zee has fashioned a decent living as a smart stayer, not up with the best but able to make the frame in the Henry II Stakes, the Queen Alexandra Stakes and, most recently, the American St Leger. There's no reason why he shouldn't prove effective over this trip and he can make the most of the drop in grade.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Light From Mars @ 4.3100/30 in the 14:00 at Wolverhampton
Back Majestic Breeze @ 3.9n/a in the 15:30 at Wolverhampton
Back Zuider Zee @ 1.528/15 in the 15:40 at Pontefract