15:00 Nottingham

Friday 18 August 2017

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Hall Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 14.77s

(5)

Thafeera²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 79| D

11/4

Ran on strongly to win a similar race at Yarmouth last month and will be hard to overhaul with just a 4lb exrtra burden to carry this time. Further positive that she seems to handle most types of ground. Big chance of following up in this company.

Form: 2-3341

(8)

Fortitude¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 75| BF

8/1

Won her maiden on soft ground at Doncaster but has been held in a Listed race at Ayr and a couple of modest handicaps since. Latest effort a return to form but possible she may now be ready to tackle at least another furlong to be seen at her best.

Form: 41063

(6)

Marseille²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Joe Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 74| BF

9/2

Consistent and reliable but has also been expensive to follow since she won her maiden at Newcastle in April. However, she handled the step up to 6f well latest and is still unexposed at the trip, so is still one to consider.

Form: 72-1222

(1)

Specialv^p⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: B Ellison| OR: 65| D

7/1

Exploited a drop in the ratings to win at Haydock eight days ago and has to be respected for the way she went about the task. The 6lb penalty does make things harder though, which combined with this step up in class, leaves her with a tough task ahead.

Form: 083531

(3)

Lexington Sky⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 67| CD

12/1

Limitations evident and needed respite from the handicapper to finally add to her tally after leaving Richard Hannon. Her win over C&D at the start of this month (on heavy ground) reads well in the context of this race .

Form: 9-95013

(7)

Castle Hill Cassie¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: B Haslam| OR: 71| D

8/1

Lightly raced and is going the right way after at least making the frame in each of her five starts to date. Versatile regarding the ground, she still looks leniently treated from her current mark and catches the imagination as a filly to follow whilst she is in good heart.

Form: 3-2312

(2)

Maid In India¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Neil Farley| T: E J Alston| OR: 71| D

3/1

2-from-2 and has to be respected as a filly on the upgrade, This is tougher than her handicap debut run and now has a bit to prove from a 6lb higher mark. The betting will be a good guide as to how she may cope.

Form: 11

Non-Runners

(4)

Mysterious Glance³²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: Sarah Hollinshead J: Rob Hornby

Forecasts

Thafeera (11/4), Maid In India (3/1), Marseille (9/2), Specialv (7/1), Fortitude (8/1), Castle Hill Cassie (8/1), Lexington Sky (12/1), Mysterious Glance (25/1)

A chance is taken on CASTLE HILL CASSIE, who has done very little wrong so far, and her willingness to scrap for the line is a handy asset. Maid In India is unbeaten so far and has to merit an interest for a place at least. However, this is her toughest assignmne to date and she may have her work cut out in getting the better of the selection. Marseille is another consistent individual and can also make the rest pull out all the stops. Thafeera is anchored by top weight but should also be thereabouts too.