WOLVERHAMPTON stage today's sole race meeting, although with a confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease perilously close by, it's touch and go whether future fixtures will be allowed to proceed.

Amidst all the uncertainty, Anstand (4.40) continues to make hay at the course, recording a second track and trip victory as recently as last Saturday evening when trouncing Better Off by seven lengths.

Trainer Malcolm Saunders has wasted little time bringing his in-form gelding back to the Midlands venue to contest the Corkscrew's Birthday Handicap, in a bold attempt to complete a quick double.

After giving Anstand such a positive ride at the weekend, it's young Jamie Mackay, one of the favourites to take this year's apprentice jockey's crown, who takes the ride again.

Mackay, who represents fantastic value for his 5lb claim, has the advantage of knowing his mount stays the trip exceptionally well, so expect to see Anstand up with the leaders throughout the seven-furlong event.

Saunders also has a lively outsider in the opening National Joe Day Handicap in the shape of Arctic High (2.00).

The beautifully-bred daughter of Polar Falcon has disappointed on her last couple of starts and consequently should go off at odds of 10-1 or better.

But if you can forgive those two lack-lustre efforts, the form of her January third to Illustrious Duke gives the four-year-old maiden a massive chance on the book.

Top-weight in the Osweiler Apprentice Stakes, Thunder Sky (2.30), forfeited all hope by nearly tripping over his own front feet when emerging from the stalls on his latest visit to the course.

Prior to that unfortunate incident, Nick Littmoden's five-year-old had beaten the useful Tightrope, a performance superior to anything achieved by his mainly modest rivals in the extended one-mile contest.

The Funky Winterbean Fillies Handicap features several speedy sorts, including Beverley Macca, Marino Street (3.05), and Tancred Times.

Beverley Macca did us a favour last time out at Lingfield, however the three-year-old now faces a much stiffer task against the likes of the older and more experienced Marino Street.

She's from the stable of Bryan McMahon, fresh from his sparkling lift-off to the turf season at Doncaster where the Tamworth handler reeled off four winners in no time at all.

Another individual who won't be hanging around for the others to play catch up is Goretski (4.05) in the Scott of the Antartic Selling Stakes.

He's up against the remarkable Palacegate Touch, fast closing on the record of 34 post-war victories currently held by Le Garcon D'Or. But the former is not as effective over the minimum trip, leaving the door wide open for the selection, a proven five-furlong specialist.

* Officials are optimistic that Nottingham's first meeting of the Flat season will go ahead as planned tomorrow. Clerk of the course Charlie Moore had warned over the weekend that the track could not take much more rain.