FORM figures which resemble a string of coconuts are sometimes very misleading. A point highlighted by Sergeant Slipper (4.00), fancied to come good in the five-furlong seller at Wolverhampton this afternoon.

Although woefully out-of-sorts so far this term, the Charles Smith-trained sprinter has proved himself to be a sand specialist in the past, totting up all three of his wins last season on the all-weather circuit.

Two of the victories were at Southwell, but crucially Sergeant Slipper also went in over today's course and distance when beating Unfortunate by two-and-a-half lengths.

A repeat showing of that performance would certainly take the selection very close today against a field of mainly older and more exposed rivals.

Leading lightweight Dale Gibson gets a rare opportunity to shine aboard

Mark One (2.00) is sent up to the Midlands by top-notch Lambourn handler Barry Hills.

Mark One, not disgraced on any of her three turf outings last year, appears to be head and shoulders above the opposition in the opening St Felix Maiden Stakes, provided she has not gone downhill over the winter months.

Not too many Group class individuals turn up at the course, nevertheless that is the case for Cretan Gift, entered in the Festival Conditions Stakes.

At ten-years of age and never having won over the trip, he may struggle to cope with the much younger Air Mail (2.30), whose overall level of consistency is a credit to trainer Norma Macauley.

Alan Berry, in the money with Beverley Macca at Lingfield yesterday, can make a swift return to the winners' enclosure via Indian Music (3.00) in division 1 of the James Dean Handicap.

He returned from a lengthy break to finish a staying-on third over an inadequate five furlongs 23 days ago. Sure to be sharper for the run, and with another 220 yards to travel, his turn is tantalisingly near.

With three confirmed front-runners - El Zito, Lost Spirit, and Night City - there'll be no shortage of pace in the Mickey Dolenz Handicap.

There's always a chance the trio might cut each others throats, letting in the hold-up horse Willemgeo (3.30).

He'll not be in any hurry to make his move but the four-year-old has plenty of gears at the business end of affairs.

Assessing Wind Chime's (4.30) optimum distance is a bit of a guessing game at present.

But if trainer Tony Newcombe has his sums right, then the National Day Handicap over an extended mile is there for the taking