Hi all,
It is Jockey Club Grassroots Series Finals Day at Nottingham with five £30,000 handicaps from 6f to 1m6f. It’s good prize money for modest horses which is good to see. I will be having some bets on the Nottingham card
The best race of the quality wise isn’t at Nottingham though its at Kempton this evening. The 1m Class 2 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap (6:00) looks a hot little race. That contest and the Class 3 London Middle Distance Qualifier (6:30) make Kempton’s evening card of plenty of interest.
I have selections from both Nottingham and Kempton and today’s betting advice can be found at the end of today’s preview.
Nottingham
2:45 – Iris Dancer responded well to the fitting of the first time blinkers when comfortably beating ten rivals at Hamilton ten days ago. If the headgear continues to have the desired effect, then a 5lb penalty shouldn’t stop her if in the same form as last time. However, her best form has come with some ease in the ground although she did finish runner-up at Carlisle in July on good to firm so its not like she won’t handle quicker ground. Once again Bet365 are a standout 8/1 and those odds are worth taking.
3:55 – Previous course winner Nietzsche ended a long losing run when winning on good to soft ground at Catterick 11-days ago. He’s been raised 4lb for that success, but Adam Farragher takes off handy 5lb. He must be respected but the ground maybe a bit quick for the 9-year-old.
Alpine Stroll’s from figures at the track are 211. The latest of those wins coming over 2m last month. Comes into the race on the back of a poor runs in a better race at Chester on Saturday. The return to quicker ground is a plus and Connor Planas takes off 7lb.
I’m happy to take a chance on a couple at bigger prices. Blistering Barney won over C&D winner in May, and he returned to winning ways at Carlisle two starts back. The 6-year-old ran better than his 8th of 10 at Pontefract last time suggests. He got no sort of run in the final stages and should have finished closer.
Cherry Cola produced her best flat RPR when winning over C&D last July, off 3lb higher. The mare has been the most consistent this season but arguably her seasonal best performance came once more over C&D when a 2 length 2nd of 6 to Alpine Stroll in June. Get’s a 16lb pull in the weights with Alpine Stroll here and ran well over hurdles 10-days ago. The quicker the ground the better and the forecast strong pace will play to her strengths.
Kempton
6:00 – Notre Belle Bete is back on the synthetics where he is 3 from 3 including a win in a similar race over C&D in April. Below his best on a return from a 79-day break when 6th of 7 at Ascot 26-days ago. Better expected back on the all-weather.
Rebel Territory finished two places in front of Notre Belle Bete in the Ascot race when beaten favourite last time. He’s yet to win on the synthetics but shaped well enough at Lingfield early last year to think that he can be effective on the surface. There are more races to be won with the 4-year-old off his present mark, but he needs to be in better form than last time. I think it’s between those two but it’s hard to split them.
6:30 – Almuhit looked an improving when at Haydock in May. We haven’t seen him since his Haydock success, and he’s been gelded in the meantime. First start on the all-weather but he’s by Sea The Stars so the surface shouldn’t hold any terrors for the 3-year-old.
Hasty Sailor was returning from 107-day break and wasn’t given a hard ride when 4 lengths 7th of 10 to Sam Cooke at Newbury last time. All the 5-year-old’s three success have come on the tapeta and polytrack at 1m 4f. This is a slightly lesser race than Newbury and a big run is expected.
Secret Box hasn’t been disgraced on his two starts since returning from a 13 month absence. Today’s extra furlong should suit but he’s vulnerable to better treated rivals returned to the all-weather.
Pillar Of Hope returned from an 18 month layoff and gelding operation to win a nine runner race on handicap debut at Redcar 15-days ago. He won’t get an uncontested lead like he did last time and there has to be worry that he may bounce. That said he’s lightly raced 4-year-old and could be capable of a lot better.
True Courage comes into race bidding for a hat trick after wins here (1m 4f) and at Newcastle 13-days ago. He’s only had two starts on the synthetics so is open to further progress on the all-weather and should get the fast pace that suits his running style.
Tuxedo Junction built on the promise of his three starts when winning a Ffos Las maiden last month. Likely we haven’t seen the best of the 3-year-old, but he’ll need to improve to win off what looks a stiff mark for his handicap/all-weather debut.
Betting Advice:
Nottingham
2:45 – 1pt win – Iris Dancer – 7/1 @ Bet365
3:55 – 1pt win – Cherry Cola – 12/1 @ Bet365 and 1pt win – Blistering Barney – 16/1 @ Bet365
Kempton
6:00 – 1pt win – Rebel Territory – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
6:30 – 1pt win – Hasty Sailor – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John