17:25 Nottingham

Sunday 31 May 2026

All14:2014:5015:2015:5516:2516:5517:25

9 Racedays At Nottingham Racecourse Handicap

4YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 75y | 7 Runners | Turf

(6)

Stardancer^t1³¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: C G Cox| OR: 75WS

13/2

Low-mileage gelding showed progressive form in novice company with 2 runner-up finishes from 3 starts. Improved again when third at Doncaster on handicap debut and seemingly wasn't himself when down the field at Yarmouth next time. Returns from 10-month absence in first-time tongue strap.

Form: 62/237-

(7)

Penelope Valentine^v⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Cieren Fallon| T: James Owen| OR: 72

6/1

Third win since joining James Owen at the end of last summer when seeing off 5 rivals at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in January. Looked summed up by higher marks on her last 2 outings, latterly at Southwell in March, but has been eased another 2 lb.

Form: 154-193

(2)

Leadenhall¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72| D

9/4

Dual 1m scorer in 2025. Shaped well on his return when fifth of 9 in handicap at Pontefract (1m) 17 days ago, nearest finish having been set too much to do. Never on terms after a slow break when mid-field at Thirsk since but he's clearly on a workable mark and drops markedly in grade here.

Form: 6300-57

(4)

Great Blasket^b²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Jack Doughty| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 71| CD

9/2

Out of form on the all-weather this winter and shaped as if needing the run when fourth of 11 in handicap at Windsor (1m, good to firm) 24 days ago. Lower in the weights than for both of last season's victories and it'd be no surprise to see him much closer to form back here (C&D winner).

Form: 0006-94

(1)

Prodigal Son^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Mason Paetel⁽⁵⁾| T: H Main| OR: 68| D

9/2

Had some good novice form last spring and finally put it all together when off the mark in a change of headgear at Bath (1m) on return last month. Ran creditably upped in trip when a close third in a 4-runner handicap there (1¼m, good) 19 days ago and he can give another good account.

Form: 0958-13

(3)

The Sweet Escape^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: D Loughnane| OR: 62| CD

10/3

Capitalised on a falling mark when opening account with a determined success in 15-runner C&D handicap in April and was only a nose away from doubling tally at Leicester earlier this month. Perhaps found next outing coming too soon when fourth at Redcar and he's a leading player again.

Form: 861624

(5)

Bass Player^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: William Pyle| T: K Frost| OR: 61

22/1

Winless during 2025 but was placed on 3 occasions. Disappointing both starts so far in 2026, though, soundly beaten on the back of a breathing operation/4-month break at Ripon 3 weeks ago.

Form: 5834-90

Forecasts

Penelope Valentine (7/2), Leadenhall (4/1), The Sweet Escape (4/1), Stardancer (4/1), Prodigal Son (5/1), Great Blasket (8/1), Bass Player (20/1)

LEADENHALL has shaped as if building up to something and he can capitalise on this drop in grade. Great Blasket is attractively handicapped with a recent run under his belt, whilst The Sweet Escape has largely been in good form this season and should be in the mix again back at the scene of his April win.