ROGER Varian has not had too many runners on an artificial surface this winter, but the claims of Al Freej in the Ringside Conference Suite Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton today are there for all to see.

The Iffraaj filly was second on her debut at Wolverhampton in November and possibly bumped into an above-average recruit when runner-up again to Mark Johnston's Switzerland at Lingfield last month.

The winner had not been disgraced in maidens at Newmarket and Newbury previously, so the fact Al Freej was sent off odds-on to beat that one probably tells you connections think she is decent.

Joe Fanning looks an interesting booking by Jo Hughes in the Name A Race To Enhance Your Brand Handicap.

They team up with Pressure Drop, a 20-1 winner on debut when with Pat Murphy, but disappointing twice since.

Fanning is chasing the all-weather title, so will not be wasting his time on no-hopers, and Pressure Drop beat Willie Muir's Stepper Point on debut. There appears to be valid excuses for the poor runs as she hung left at Windsor and did not appreciate firm ground at Bath, and she might be better than a rating of 68.