18:30 Nottingham

Saturday 22 April 2023

All17:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Castle Rock Neil Kelso Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 1m 3.55s

(1)

Just A Spark¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: R Coakley| T: B R Millman| OR: 76| D

4/1

Progressive on AW, completing a hat-trick in 5f Southwell handicap 13 days ago. Thriving and bold show likely if as effective on turf.

Form: 422111

(7)

Gemini Star¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 74| D

3/1

Twice-raced winner. 5/6, won 9-runner maiden at Thirsk (5f, soft) on reappearance 18 days ago, well on top finish. Makes handicap debut. Has the potential for better.

Form: 2-1

(6)

Umming N' Ahing¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁵⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 72| CD

15/8

9/1, career best when winning 9-runner maiden over this C&D (heavy) 17 days ago. Likely to be competitive back in handicap company.

Form: 3544-41

(3)

Drunk In Love²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 71

12/1

Fair form at best over sprint trips in Ireland last year. Betting perhaps the best guide on this return to action for new trainer Richard Fahey (same owner).

Form: 420483-

(4)

Thunder Star^p1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 68| D

17/2

14/1, 8½ lengths eleventh of 13 to Just A Spark in handicap at Southwell (5f) on reappewarance 13 days ago. Cheekpieces are reached for on the back of that.

Form: 44455-0

(2)

Destiny's Spirit¹⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 68| D

6/1

Progressed well in nurseries last year, winning 3 of last 4 starts (all 5f). Her stable is in cracking form so every reason tot hink she can pick up where she left off.

Form: 541211-

Non-Runners

(5)

Family Ties¹⁹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: P T Midgley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Umming N' Ahing (15/8), Gemini Star (3/1), Just A Spark (4/1), Destiny's Spirit (6/1), Thunder Star (17/2), Drunk In Love (12/1), Family Ties (14/1)

The Dominic Ffrench Davis stable is in cracking form so it would be no surprise to see DESTINY'S SPIRIT improve again back from a break and make it 4 wins in her last 5 starts. Just A Spark has thrived on AW lately and will be a big threat if as effective on the grass. Recent Thirsk maiden winner Gemini Star is also respected.