Race Preview: Nottingham 5:05 (Class 6 Handicap – 1m 2f 50y)

We wrap things up at Nottingham with a competitive, large-field (16 runners listed, though check for non-runners) Class 6 handicap over the extended 1m2f trip. Conditions are likely to be testing on this flat, left-handed course, placing a premium on stamina and proven form on soft ground at this low level.

Leading Contenders:

• Sweet Kiss (9-5, OR63): This 3-year-old filly arrives in blistering form, having won 3 of her last 4 starts, including readily scoring off OR58 last time (Gd-Sft). She also previously ran well when 4th in a Class 4 off this mark (OR63). Crucially, jockey Jake Dickson claims a full 7lb, meaning she’s effectively running off OR56 – 7lb well-in compared to her actual mark. Handles conditions and looks poised for another big run. 🔥
• Velvet Whisper (9-7, OR65): Another progressive 3-year-old who produced a career-best effort when agonisingly denied by just a neck at Redcar (Gd-Sft) last time off OR64. She’s only 1lb higher here, but Archie Young’s valuable 5lb claim negates that and makes her very competitive. Clearly handles cut in the ground. ⭐
• Bay Dream Believer (9-10, OR64): The model of consistency this summer, rattling off a hat-trick before running an excellent second at Redcar (Gd-Sft) off OR63 last time out. She absolutely loves this trip (5 wins over 1m2f) and acts on softer ground. Hard to ignore despite carrying top weight. 👍

Each-Way Considerations:

• Joycean Way (9-8, OR62): Rarely runs a bad race, having placed in 5 of his last 6 starts off similar marks, including a narrow second last time on soft ground off OR60. Handles conditions and looks almost guaranteed to be involved in the finish, though winning remains elusive. A solid place prospect.
• Freddy Robinson (9-9, OR63): Very similar profile to Joycean Way – ultra-consistent, placed again when 3rd last time on soft ground off this mark. Handles conditions well and usually gives his running, but struggles to convert. Should be thereabouts.
• Harswell Duke (9-6, OR59): A course winner here back in 2022 off a much higher mark (OR78!) on soft ground. Recent form is patchy (4th last time), but he’s dangerously handicapped if rediscovering any spark at a track he clearly acts on in these conditions.

Verdict:

This looks like a great opportunity for the thriving 3-year-old filly Sweet Kiss. She arrives in scintillating form and looks exceptionally well-treated with her jockey’s 7lb claim making her effectively 7lb ‘well-in’. Velvet Whisper is another progressive type who went desperately close last time and also benefits from a handy claim. The reliable Bay Dream Believer brings rock-solid recent form to the table. For value each-way, Joycean Way looks nailed-on for a place, while Harswell Duke is the interesting lurker based on his old course form and lenient mark.

1. Sweet Kiss 2. Velvet Whisper 3. Bay Dream Believer Each Way: Joycean Way / Harswell Duke