DARLINGTON-BASED jockey Connor Beasley, in action yesterday at Pisa in Italy, is back on home ground today and is fancied to land the opening two races at Wolverhampton.

Beasley, who is attached to Michael Dods’ stable and who has notched just over 100 winners, was riding in Pisa alongside Malton-based George Chaloner and Ireland’s Connor King at the Ribot Cup meeting, a prestigious annual event confined to apprentices and jockeys under the age of 25 from all over Europe.

Beasley teams up with Newmarket trainer Chris Dwyer at Wolverhampton, riding Foie Gras and Dark Side Dream, both of whom boast solid chances.

Foie Gras, who won here over seven furlongs two outings ago, finished well, but all too late, when unplaced back on the same course last time.

He reverts to six furlongs in the Unibet Handicap, but he was a winner over the course and distance last November. Well drawn in stall two, he has every chance of returning to the winning trail.

Dark Side Dream runs in the Unibet Maiden Stakes over six furlongs. He has already run creditably in similar races, including on this course, and it would be no surprise to see opportunity come knocking for him this time.

York trainer Mel Brittain, on the mark with a winner at Southwell last week, can follow up with Lucky Lodge in the Ladbrokes Handicap.

The five-year-old is chasing a four-timer for his Warthill handler. Successful at Newcastle in October, he has since won twice on this course in November and January.

He is still only 7lb higher than he was on the first of those wins, but there is a question mark over his ability to overcome a 53-day absence. If fighting fit after his lay-off, he should be involved in the shake up.

Nap selection Monsieur Chevalier should be hard to beat in the Download The Ladbrokes App Claiming Stakes.

The eight-year-old won over this course and distance last month. Rated 81, he is a fair horse for claiming company and, even with joint-top weight, he is fancied to prove a tough nut to crack. Adam Kirby rides.

Freddie Tylicki is going well and the former Malton-based champion apprentice could have a good ride on Logorrheic in the 32Red Handicap, provided he can step up on his comeback outing at Chelmsford four weeks ago.

The Ralph Beckett-trained three-year-old was a well-beaten third on that occasion, but he may have needed the outing after being off since winning at Kempton at the end of November.

He has had only three outings and is open to further improvement. He is not one to dismiss lightly, despite his latest effort.

Over the jumps at Southwell, Toby Lerone switches from fences to hurdles in what promises to be a shrewd move by trainer Dan Skelton.

A smart horse over the major obstacles, the gelding has finished in the frame in high- class handicaps at Haydock on his last two starts. He is still a maiden over hurdles in eight tries, but he has come a long way since, and the Ladbrokes Novices’ Hurdle looks a potentially fruitful target for him.

Nomadic Storm will be hard to beat in the opening Ladbrokes Novices’ Handicap Chase.

David Bridgwater’s gelding has won three of his five races this season, including his latest start at Plumpton. A 7lb penalty may not be too much of an anchor for Tom Cannon’s mount.

Also worth noting are Kilcascan (2.50), narrowly beaten here on his latest start, and Dont Call Me Oscar (4.50), who is chasing a four-timer for trainer Mark Gilliard.

Wolverhampton today: 2.40 Foie Gras, 3.10 Dark Side Dream, 3.40 Lucky Lodge, 4.10 Monsieur Chevalier (NAP), 4.40 Logorrheic, 5.10 Enriching, 5.40 Subcontinent.

Southwell today: 2.15 Nomadic Storm, 2.50 Kilcascan, 3.20 Toby Lerone, 3.50 Sand Artist, 4.20 Pyrshan, 4.50 Dont Call Me Oscar.

Today’s other meeting: Fakenham.