2.45pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 03/08/2017

This is a Class 5 Novice Stakes raced over 6 furlongs sponsored by MyRacing, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There was a lot to like about the winning racecourse debut from ISLAND DRIVE last month and she can make it two wins from as many starts. She picked up readily when asked last time out to catch a runaway leader and she should have conditions in her favour today. She can take this ahead of Sands Of Mali who has his sights lowered slightly following a nice enough debut in a hot race on debut.

1 EIRENE – Improved from her first to second run to win a Class 5 Novice Stakes race at Doncaster. She won on Soft ground that day which will certainly aide her chance in this and connections will be hopeful of another big run having been well-supported last time out when sent off the 5/2 favourite. She’s well-drawn in stall 7 and deserves respect although it shouldn’t be long before she tackles longer trips than this.

2 ISLAND DRIVE – William Haggas’ yard is flying at present with a 31% strike rate in the past fortnight and his filly can add to that tally today. She won a Class 5 event at Kempton last month on racecourse debut and was well-backed that day. It was an impressive performance having picked up when asked to catch a runaway leader and that run suggests that there is so much more to come from her. She will take all the beating today in conditions that should suit.

3 CAPTAIN JAMESON – Cost 30,000 Euros as a yearling and he’s bred to be all speed, by Camacho out of a Cape Cross mare. His dam finished her career as a maiden although John Quinn’s runner should outperform her dam based on her profile. The yard have a decent 18% strike rate at Nottingham and he’s worth a second look in the betting as market support would be significant.

4 CHARLES FOX – Half-brother to some decent sorts including Rising Shadow and Espumanti. He was bought for 52,000GNS as a yearling and he should be relatively forward based on breeding and the profiles of his relatives. The yard haven’t sent out a large number of 2yo’s this season and he may be best watched on debut.

5 REDTEDD – Finished last of nine, beaten 20 lengths on racecourse debut at Chepstow last month. That came in a weak Class 6 event and he looked incredibly backwards having started slowly and never picked up. Richard Kingscote rides today which is positive but he needs to take a massive step forward to get the better of a few of these and he’s best watched today. Connections could have nurseries in mind for him.

6 SANDS OF MALI – Made his debut in a hot Novice Stakes race at York last month where he finished seventh in an 11-strong field. He had no chance against some nice sorts and he will find this much easier with his sights lowered a little combined with the experience of that first run. The yard have an excellent 18% strike rate at Nottingham and he’s likely to be in contention today if he can improve. Holds a Group 2 entry for the Gimcrack Stakes.

7 FERRIER – Half-sister to Kithonia who won on racecourse debut over 7 furlongs on Soft ground. Most of her relatives have performed better over a mile and further and Sir Mark Prescott’s runners generally need their first run to learn about their job. She wears a hood on racecourse debut and she should be watched in the betting market as market support would be significant.

8 RAVEN’S RAFT – Mick Appleby’s filly has produced two good efforts in Novice Stakes races, including over C&D. She was well-supported last time out, sent off the 11/8 favourite but she couldn’t peg back a couple of decent enough sorts. She needs to improve again to come out on top and she may end up over further than this in time. The percentage call is to oppose her today.