2.10pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 03/08/2017

This is a Class 5 Novice Stakes raced over 5 furlongs sponsored by MyRacing, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Richard Fahey has an excellent 18% strike rate at Nottingham and CROTCHET can make a winning debut in this. She’s by Lethal Force so she should have plenty of pace and she could turn out to be an above average sort. She can take this ahead of Mother Of Dragons who ran a mighty race at Newbury last time out, finishing just in-front of Three Little Birds.

1 CHERRY OAK – Ben Haslam’s filly has been beaten a fair way in two Novice Stakes races to date, including over C&D. She did improve from her first to second run and bumped into a couple of useful sorts at Catterick last time out so she’s not without hope although she is vulnerable to a few in this. Best watched today with nurseries beckoning.

2 CROTCHET – Related to some decent sorts who produced their best form over a mile and further. Her dam failed to win over 6 and 7 furlongs as a 2yo before going on to win at a mile and further including a Group 3. She gets her speed from her sire, Lethal Force, and there’s plenty to like about her profile now making her debut over 5 furlongs. The yard has a fantastic 18% strike rate at Nottingham. Interesting.

3 DANDY’S BEANO – Was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths on debut at Beverley last month, having dwelt in the early stages before staying on nicely in the final furlong or so. She will have picked up plenty of experience from that run and she should strip much fitter and sharper today so she’s worth consideration although the form isn’t anything out of the ordinary and her draw isn’t great.

4 HARMONICA – Half-sister to the useful Zest out of a middle distance winning mare. She’s bred to want much further than the 5 furlong test she faces today and the yard’s 2yo’s generally need their first run before taking big strides forward. Her sire does provide her with a bit of speed but it would be a surprise to see her match the pace of some of today’s rivals. Best watched with an eye to the future.

5 KANDY KOVE – Robert Cowell’s yard is going well of late (16% strike rate in the past fortnight) and his daughter of Kodiac makes her second start today. She finished sixth of seven over C&D on debut and she certainly needed the run having been outpaced in the final furlong. She’s better than she showed that day and will strip fitter here although she will have to improve to beat some of these and the market should guide best.

6 MAYGOLD – Finished down the field in a fairly strong Newbury Novice stakes last month. She was sent off 16/1 that day, clearly needing the run and she was given a nice introductory race. Richard Kingscote takes over in the saddle today which is eye-catching and she could attract plenty of support, especially now she’s down in trip based on her fast pedigree. Respected for a yard going well.

7 MOTHER OF DRAGONS – Only cost 2,000 Euros as a yearling but she has been highly-tried on her last two starts having raced in a Group 2 and the Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury. She ran with plenty of credit last time out at Newbury, finishing sixth in a 23-strong field and that form probably makes her the one to beat in this. Fran Berry takes over in the saddle today and she should be fighting out the finish if she follows up the form of her latest run.

8 THREE LITTLE BIRDS – Sylvester Kirk’s filly has had plenty of chances to break her maiden tag but remains without a success from 6 starts. She finished one place behind Mother Of Dragons last time out at Newbury which entitles the pair to be close again today although she’s had plenty more attempts at Novice Stakes races than Joseph Tuite’s runner. She has 8lbs to find with that runner if official ratings are to be believed and she’s opposed in this.