Racecards
19:15 Leicester
Victoria Centre Nottingham Handicap (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 1f 218y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £7,500 added
- Form 913140
- Age 5
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Paul Eddery
slowly away, in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
- Form 9-41370
- Age 7
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer J D Bethell
- Jockey D Holland
made all, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, stayed on strongly and always holding rival
- Form 335-982
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey N Callan
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 26-2363
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
chased winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Drawn Gold
18- Form 441-327
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer R Hollinshead
- Jockey R Kennemore
pulled hard, chased winner, ridden over 3f out, outpaced from over 1f out
- Form 56-325
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey T P Queally
in touch, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, kept on to take 4th inside final furlong
Soviet (IRE)
16- Form 0560
- Age 3
- Weight 7-13
- Official Rating 61
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey N Mackay
in touch, always travelling well, improved over 2f out, joined winner over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly, always held by winner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
A very competitive heat this, with Stargazer Jim selected, just ahead of Novikov and Elk Trail, although none can be totally ruled out. Willie Haggas' Stargazer Jim has plenty of winning form behind him, albeit not for a year. He's been on the all weather tracks for most of the last couple of years, but is a game old boy, and regularly knocking on the door in better grades. Novikov is giving weight away all round, but could defy that, although he's not been a winner for a year. Dropping down a grade could make all the difference for John Gosden's runner, who's expected to be ridden prominently. Elk Trail also has a Thursday entry at Nottingham, but this may appear a more winnable contest for Tom Tate's only runner on the card. Regularly placed, including here in a slightly shorter handicap last month, he may try and set the pace. In a tough race to call though, we'll forecast a good run and chance for Stargazer Jim.
Formwatch
Bull Market (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Always rear division, 10th of 11, 20l behind Sir Duke (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Snowed Under 12-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 25l behind Riley Boys (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Stargazer Jim (FR) 11-2 (9-10) Towards rear, headway from over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, chased winner after, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Wee Charlie Castle (8-7) at Sandown 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf.
Elk Trail (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Led, headed 4f out, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Nine Stories (9-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Drawn Gold 9-2 (8-9) Reared start, slowly away, in rear, wide entering straight, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 14, 8l behind Cheshire Prince (8-13) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Flam 3-1fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 21l behind Tcherina (9-11) at Pontefract 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gd.
Soviet (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 9l behind No Grouse (9-9) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Novikov 8-1 (9-13) Led 1f, stayed prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed towards finish and lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Jebel Ali (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.