16:10 Nottingham

Friday 16 August 2019

All14:0014:3515:0515:4016:1016:4517:20

MansionBet Colwick Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 3m 19.17s

(2)

Twin Star^t⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Noel Williams| OR: 93

25/1

Showed marked improvement from seasonal return to finish third at Goodwood (1m6f; soft) when stepped up to this trip for the first time. This is tougher, but there should be more to come. Place claims.

Form: 5521-03

(3)

Not So Sleepy^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: H Morrison| OR: 93| C

4/1

Stepped up to 1m6f on the flat for the first time when a respectable fourth to the thoroughly progressive King's Advice in a competitive renewal of the bet365 Trophy at Newmarket (1m6f; good to firm). Should have more to offer & can't be discounted.

Form: 327-744

(8)

Litterale Ci¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 91| D

6/1

Unexposed on the flat and she did well to finish third in the Connacht Hotel Handicap at the Galway Festival (2m1f; good) last time out. This is slightly less competitive, and she holds strong claims off just a 2lb higher mark.

Form: 511/93

(5)

African Jazz^p,t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: B Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 91

20/1

Both career wins have been achieved on the AW. Underwhelming on seasonal return from a fairly long break when only fifth of seven at Newmarket (1m6f; good) just under three weeks ago. Entitled to improve from that run, and shouldn't be written off.

Form: 53213-5

(7)

Al Kout^h⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Joey Haynes| T: H Main| OR: 85

25/1

Posted a more encouraging run when sixth in the Shergar Cup Stayers at Ascot (2m; good) last Saturday. Drops back to 1m6f for the first time since finishing second at Haydock (1m6f; soft) last September, but others look better treated.

Form: 197206

(1)

Rochester House¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87

10/3

Chasing a hat-trick after a couple of wins in small-field affairs over 2m for which he is still 3lb well in. Obvious chance but drop back in trip does pose a slight question since he has never won over 1m6f. In a bigger field now also.

Form: 343211

(9)

Laafy^v1¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 85

2/1

Back to form when runner-up at Kempton (1m4f; standard to slow) just 11 days ago. Step up in trip could unlock some more improvement and he is a major player after just the six starts.

Form: 52-1242

(4)

Brasca³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82

8/1

Looked a smart sort in novices, but his transition to handicaps hasn't yet been as fruitful as some would have expected. Drop back in trip to 1m6f looks a wise move after he failed to stay 2m at Ascot recently. Needs to do more.

Form: 21-154

Non-Runners

(6)

Saroog³⁴

Weight: 10-3| Age: 5

T: S & E Crisford J: P Cosgrave

Forecasts

Laafy (2/1), Rochester House (10/3), Not So Sleepy (4/1), Saroog (5/1), Litterale Ci (6/1), Brasca (8/1), African Jazz (20/1), Twin Star (25/1), Al Kout (25/1)

The feature race of the afternoon, and it is difficult to rule any of these out with confidence. Not least, the dark horse in this contest is African Jazz, who is still to register a win on turf, but is unexposed and should show marked improvement from his comeback run at Newmarket last month. Litterale Ci has only had the five runs on the flat and is open to more improvement after finishing third at the Galway Festival last month. However, the selection is LAAFY who receives weight from his main rivals, is open to plenty of improvement on this first run at 1m6f, and the application of a visor should eke out that bit more effort from him.