This is a week that is always going to build towards the Classics at Epsom, and the field for the Investec Oaks on Friday is about to be finalised, but there is also almost £100,000 in prize money on offer at Nottingham this afternoon, with the £40,000 Nottinghamshire Oaks at the heart of the card.
The favourite for the feature event is Sir Michael Stoute’s Playful Sound, the winner of four of her five starts to date including a Newmarket handicap earlier this month off a mark of 93. Her sole defeat, though, was on her only start in Listed company, in the Pride Stakes at Newmarket last October, and while something was probably amiss there, she is not an obvious value bet at around 7-4.
The fitness of Entsar (4.20) needs to be taken on trust, but William Haggas has his string in excellent form with 10 winners from his last 40 runners and Entsar would have a huge chance today if she can produce something close to the form of a comprehensive handicap success at Newbury last October. She was below form in a Listed race at Doncaster just 15 days later, but Entsar, who is a 7-2 chance this morning from 5-1 overnight, put the Newbury race to bed in a few strides and two of the three runners behind her were winners next time out.
The preceding race is a handicap with £25,000 on offer and in the absence of White Lake, scratched at 9.15 this morning, David Simcock’s Dragon Mall (3.50) could be the one to back at around 9-2. The five-year-old looked a little unlucky not to go very close to winning a much more valuable race than this one in Dubai in February, and though he was a little disappointing next time when upped in trip, today’s mile should be ideal.
Amadeus Rox (4.50) should also go close on the same card, while Trinity Star (8.10) is weighted to reverse recent form with Gworn at Ayr tonight. Peterport was a long way behind the Derby contender Dubai Thunder in a maiden last time out and his performance at Kempton this evening could be interesting with the Classic in mind, but Nadaitak (6.50) also ran well first time up and is a fair bet at around 3-1. Pearl Noir (2.30) and Palmerston (4.00) should both go well at Beverley, while Pekanheim (3.10) looks the best bet on the card at Cartmel.
Wednesday’s tips, by Greg Wood
Ayr: 6.10 Nafaath 6.40 Made Of Honour 7.10 Dandyleekie 7.40 New Abbey Angel 8.10 Trinity Star 8.40 Burren View Lady 9.10 Michele Strogoff
Beverley: 2.00 Popsi 2.30 Pearl Noir 3.00 Dundunah 3.30 Hijran 4.00 Palmerston 4.30 Dream Free 5.00 Time’s Arrow 5.30 Single Estate
Cartmel: 2.10 Boruma 2.40 River Icon 3.10 Pekanheim 3.40 Elusive Theatre 4.10 Man Of Steel 4.40 Prince Khurram 5.10 Craig Star
Kempton Park: 6.20 Halling’s Wish 6.50 Nadaitak 7.20 Hateya 7.50 Coastal Cyclone 8.20 Dark Devil 8.50 Tyrell 9.20 Nezar
Nottingham: 2.20 Mnemonic Alexander 2.50 French 3.20 Carducci 3.50 Dragon Mall 4.20 Entsar (nap) 4.50 Amadeus Rox 5.20 Fantasy Gladiator
