15:55 Nottingham

Wednesday 8 November 2017

All12:3513:0513:4014:1514:5015:2015:55

AJA Gentleman Handicap (Gentleman Amateur Riders)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 2m 22.47s

(14)

Attest¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Adam Elias⁽⁵⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 74

11/1

Rattled up a hurdles hat-trick in the spring at 2m-2m2½f and including on soft. 0-2 on the Flat so far, all when with Amanda Perrett, but if he can translate his hurdling abilities back to the level then he is no forlorn hope from this mark.

Form: 356-

(3)

Shining Romeo⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Alex Ferguson| T: D P Quinn| OR: 70| D

16/1

Has four wins to his name in 2017, an All Weather handicap (1m4f), a maiden hurdle (2m) and two turf handicaps including one on soft at Yarmouth. Been hurdling lately, but back on the Flat from 4lb higher and over shorter, he needs improvement.

Form: 165811

(2)

Lazarus^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr B James⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 73

28/1

Best effort so far by some margin was on his second start at Windsor (1m3½f, good to soft), when runner-up at 33-1. Has disappointed since, although expectations didn't appear high on his recent handicap debut. 4lb drop won't harm but bit to prove.

Form: 6250

(4)

Speciality^b1⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Simon Walker| T: R M Beckett| OR: 72

4/1

Was beaten just a nose on debut in a French maiden (1m, good to soft) in May, though unable to better that in four subsequent starts. Beaten just 1½L over 1m7f last time and is interesting with headgear on, dropped in trip on first run for new yard.

Form: 25580

(1)

Sonnetist²²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 72

9/1

Mark looks stiff enough judged on what we have seen so far and he has been comfortably beaten from only slightly higher on his last two outings. Makes debut for this trainer today and looks best watched for the moment.

Form: 444659

(8)

Paddy A¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr James Morley⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 70

50/1

Sole success to date was over 1m on the All Weather and although he probably handles cut, his best effort to date was when making the frame at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) in July. 2lb lower here and if in that mood he could have an each-way shout.

Form: 143680

(6)

Maraakib¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr James King| T: D O'Meara| OR: 65| D

9/1

Has not won for over two years, though all four successes have been with cut underfoot. Trip is his optimum and it wouldn't be a huge shock if he popped up, but there have been enough misses lately to suggest that he will find one or two too good.

Form: 688227

(15)

Topamichi¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr James Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 62| BF| D

6/1

Loves deep ground and all wins have been from 1m-1m2f, though he hasn't managed one on turf for over three years. 9lb lower than the last of them today and having his second run for this trainer after a 5lb drop. Market check advised.

Form: 368-763

(12)

Oceanus¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr R Birkett| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 64| D

17/2

1-15 so far, that sole win being in a Brighton selling handicap (1m2f, good) in September. 4lb higher here, but ran well from this mark when 1¼L third at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to soft) last time and has each-way claims.

Form: 352103

(11)

Turnbury^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Jordan Williams| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 54| D

33/1

All four wins have been at trips from 1m2f-1m4f, with the one on turf at Newbury being on soft last year. 1lb higher today, courtesy of a 7lb rise for being beaten just 1¾L at Windsor (1m3½f, soft) last time under this pilot and will need more now.

Form: 53D434

(13)

England Expects^h⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-4| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 61| BF

11/4

Has made the frame in half of her eight turf runs, including on soft ground at Sandown in August, over this trip, from 3lb lower. Beaten a short head over C&D last time and nudged back up 3lb, but should be in the mix.

Form: 825322

Non-Runners

(9)

Lungarno Palace⁴⁶⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: J Gallagher J: Charlie Price

(5)

Lady Valdean¹²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 3

T: J Santos J: Mr J Harding

(7)

Bollihope¹⁹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: R C Guest J: Mr Patrick Millman

(10)

Booborowie²²

Weight: 10-10| Age: 4

T: A Stronge J: Non Runner

Forecasts

England Expects (11/4), Speciality (4/1), Topamichi (6/1), Lungarno Palace (8/1), Oceanus (17/2), Maraakib (9/1), Sonnetist (9/1), Attest (11/1), Bollihope (14/1), Shining Romeo (16/1), Booborowie (25/1), Lazarus (28/1), Turnbury (33/1), Lady Valdean (33/1), Paddy A (50/1)

England Expects would not be an undeserving winner of this after some consistent recent efforts, but she does need to eek out a little bit extra to do so and the same can be said of Oceanus. Topamichi is probably worth a look in the market, while Maraakib and Attest could both go well. However, preference is for SPECIALITY, who has a good pilot up, has already won a race, handles soft ground and is very interesting on her first start for this trainer, dropped in trip and in headgear.