17:30 Nottingham

Wednesday 5 October 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:30

Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 2m 17.47s

(12)

Gifted Ruler^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: N Callan| T: H Palmer| OR: 82

14/1

Fairly useful performer who capitalised on the marked drop in grade when winning 5-runner seller at Hamilton (9.2f, good) 17 days ago. Understandably has more on his plate back in a handicap.

Form: 30-0471

(9)

Strawman¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: G Tutty| OR: 82| D

12/1

Five wins from 18 Flat runs. Latest win at Redcar in June. 9/2, did well to finish as close as he did when third of 8 in handicap at Redcar (10f, good to firm) 14 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Sound each-way player again.

Form: 016633

(2)

Eldrickjones¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: C Lee| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85

25/1

33/1, eleventh of 14 in handicap at Ayr (1m) 18 days ago, racing off the pace and never a threat. Others arrive with more pressing claims now stamina is drawn out further.

Form: 400550

(5)

Dal Mallart²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A King| OR: 83| D

17/2

3 wins from 8 runs this year. Latest win at Sandown (10f) in July. 8/1, shaped better than distance beaten suggests when last of 4 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 23 days ago, tying up late on. Return to this easier ground back on turf will hold no fears.

Form: 131134

(8)

A E Housman¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 82

13/2

Lightly-raced winner. Career best when winning 8-runner maiden (7/4) at Lingfield (8f, AW) 15 days ago, staying on to lead again dying strides. In leading hands and he can do better again now handicapping up in trip.

Form: 6431

(15)

Ascending¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 82

6/4

Winner at Goodwood in June. Good second of 19 in handicap (14/1) at Newbury (10f, good) 19 days ago, keeping on well. That was his first crack at this trip and he may have more to offer.

Form: 64-6142

(1)

First Officer⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 79

8/1

Winner at Salisbury (12f) in June. 10/3, creditable third of 8 in handicap at this course (16f, good to firm) 54 days ago. Significantly back down in trip. First run for yard after leaving Roger Varian.

Form: 541343

(4)

Elena's Gift³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 79| D

17/2

Landed back-to-back handicaps at Beverley/Windsor (at 10f) during the summer. 7/2, fourth of 5 in handicap at Haydock (10.2f, good to firm) 34 days ago, having run of race. Mark demands that little bit more.

Form: 361134

(11)

Duesenberg²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Pipe| OR: 73

28/1

33/1, bit below form sixth of 12 in handicap at Epsom (12f, heavy) 27 days ago, unsuited by emphasis on stamina. Eased 4 lb on the back of that but both career victories gained at up to 7f.

Form: 21030-6

(6)

Vega Sicilia²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T E Whelan| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 77| BF

9/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 4/5, second of 6 in maiden at Carlisle (6.9f, good to soft) 28 days ago, looking unsuited by the drop in trip. However, he's well bred and retains some potential now handicapping returned to 10f.

Form: 932

(10)

Tipperary Moon¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: K T O'Neill| T: I Furtado| OR: 72

33/1

2 wins from 5 runs this year. Last of 9 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, good, 20/1) 13 days ago. Up in trip now but he may be vulnerable to less exposed sorts here.

Form: 8-51109

Non-Runners

(3)

Thunderclap¹²⁵

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: H Morrison J: Jason Hart

(7)

Tartan Chief¹⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: P & O Cole J: K Stott

(13)

Deferred¹⁵

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: David Egan

(14)

Glen Esk²²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 5

T: C F Wall J: J Mitchell

Forecasts

Ascending (6/4), Deferred (6/1), A E Housman (13/2), First Officer (8/1), Elena's Gift (17/2), Dal Mallart (17/2), Vega Sicilia (9/1), Tartan Chief (10/1), Strawman (12/1), Thunderclap (12/1), Gifted Ruler (14/1), Eldrickjones (25/1), Glen Esk (25/1), Duesenberg (28/1), Tipperary Moon (33/1)

An interesting finale with the vote in favour of John and Thady Gosden's A E HOUSMAN. He took a sizeable step forward on his previous exploits when landing a Lingfield maiden (1m) 2 weeks ago (coming long way clear with runner-up) and an opening mark of 82 could easily underestimate him. Fellow 3-y-o Deferred is also interesting on handicap bow and feared, along with Tartan Chief and Ascending.