Timeform Daily: Thursday, Wolverhampton 15:35

Thursday's Race of The Day comes from Wolverhampton

On the eve of the turf season's opening meeting at Doncaster, Timeform look at this class 6 handicap on the polytrack.

Hidden Link built on platform set in maidens when making a successful handicap debut here (9.5f) in January. Unable to build on that both runs since, but he's still lightly raced and ought to stay 1m.

Gabrial The Duke's new yard have quickly found the key to him, winning twice over 1m at Lingfield last month and better form when judged touched off by a progressive rival in hat-trick bid. Up 6 lb but big player.

Moaning Butcher is a compact colt who only hinted at ability amidst inexperience in 3 juvenile outings in the autumn. In excellent hands, and the market may help in relation to stablemate Train Hard.

Tebee's Oasis still looked to be learning when third of 6 in a Lingfield maiden over this trip last month. Clearly one of yard's lesser lights, but allotted a modest opening mark.

Train Hard is stoutly bred and achieved just modest form in a trio of quick runs at 2 yrs in October at up to 9f. Gelded in the interim, and open to improvement now handicapping up in trip.

Annalova looks one of yard's lesser lights, last of 6 on second handicap start upped to 1m last month. Not hard to look elsewhere.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Gabrial The Duke
2. Train Hard 
3. Hidden Link

Timeform view: Train Hard looks the pick of the handicap debutants, but in Gabrial The Duke he meets an established rival in excellent heart, and he is the safest option. Hidden Link may also have more to offer.

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