15:30 Nottingham

Wednesday 9 October 2019

All13:2513:5514:2514:5515:3016:0016:3017:00

Like Racing TV On Facebook Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 1m 50.37s

(1)

Salt Whistle Bay⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Rae Guest| OR: 75| CD

5/1

Form this season mixed, to say the least, but takes a big drop in grade here, is 1-1 at the track and handles some cut in the ground, so there are reasons why he could do better today. Not ruled out.

Form: 442240

(5)

Inner Circle^p³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Edward Greatrex| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 72

25/1

Has a couple of wins to his name this season, both in low-grade events, but well beaten on latest start at Wolverhampton and overall profile not that convincing. Others make more appeal today.

Form: 414418

(10)

Rudy Lewis¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C Fellowes| OR: 74

7/2

Almost got there in time at Thirsk two starts ago and then probably found 10f too far for him at Chelmsford last time. Seems to act with some cut and had looked steadily progressive before latest defeat, so could get back on track here.

Form: 656327

(9)

Al Moataz¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 73

7/1

Only had the five starts, one of which saw him finish a well-beaten second over C&D in soft ground, so probably handles conditions and may have more to come. Below par at Kempton last time, but not discounted back on turf.

Form: 62426

(3)

Quarry Beach¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H Candy| OR: 72

5/1

No win in 10 starts but has been knocking at the door, four times a runner-up in her last six starts. Trip no issue but this ground the slowest she will have raced on. No reason not to run her race if she acts on it, and place chances again.

Form: 225232

(11)

Vive La Difference^p1¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 68| BF| D

10/1

On a fair mark now, probably handles conditions fine but a disappointing favourite at Musselburgh last time, and now connections try a change of headgear. Too well handicapped to discount, but clearly comes with some risk.

Form: 368074

(4)

Thorn^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: P W Hiatt| OR: 68

16/1

Wasn't really going anywhere this season until stopping the rot at Epsom last time, finishing second to a well-backed favourite. May progress from that, but does have to prove this ground suits. Chances if it does.

Form: 41-8642

(7)

Espresso Freddo^v⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: K Shoemark| T: R Stephens| OR: 57| D

11/2

Took advantage of his falling handicap mark to run out an easy winner at Bath last time, the change of headgear possibly helping his cause too. Visor retained here, and although this is tougher, comes here in good heart, which counts for plenty.

Form: 653491

(2)

Pushmi Pullyu⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 64| D

10/1

Looked to have a good year in from of her when successful at Yarmouth on seasonal debut back in June, but has come nowhere near that in three subsequent starts. However, conditions probably ideal here, so could get back on track.

Form: 09-1788

(6)

Dark Mystique⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Joey Haynes| T: D K Ivory| OR: 62

50/1

Well beaten all three starts to date and although he now goes into handicaps on a more realistic mark, can't really be supported until he starts showing a bit more.

Form: 68-7

Non-Runners

(8)

Capton¹⁶

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: M & D Easterby J: Nathan Evans

Forecasts

Rudy Lewis (7/2), Salt Whistle Bay (5/1), Quarry Beach (5/1), Espresso Freddo (11/2), Al Moataz (7/1), Capton (8/1), Vive La Difference (10/1), Pushmi Pullyu (10/1), Thorn (16/1), Inner Circle (25/1), Dark Mystique (50/1)

A few of these have something to prove on the ground, with Quarry Beach and Thorn top of that list, and whilst there's no such doubts about the in-form Espresso Freddo, this is a tougher contest than the one he won at Bath, and he may need a bit more. SALT WHISTLE BAY hasn't really fired as yet but there are reasons for thinking a better effort might be forthcoming today, with the drop in grade a major plus (has a good record in the grade).