3.35pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 18/10/2017

3.35pm Nottingham tips for Wednesday’s Class 3 race. A field of 16 go to post for this highly competitive handicap. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Granted, he has perhaps lost his way since starting his career so promisingly, but most of MUTARAKEZ‘s runs have come in a higher grade and now that the handicapper has given him a chance, he should be up to taking this. He’s dropped in grade for this run and, with conditions to suit, he should prove tough to beat for red-hot connections. Indian Chief was unlucky in running on his latest start and off his current mark he rates as the biggest danger, but he does need luck.

1 KING’S PAVILION – Back to his best of late for David Barron, finishing a close fourth at Haydock last month in a very competitive race. He’s untried at this trip, but shapes as though he’s worth a go and should be on the premises off a fair mark.

2 EMPRESS ALI – Running well this season, winning once over course and distance three starts ago. She was only beaten half a length at Pontefract last month and, off only one pound higher, she has solid claims in her preferred ground.

3 TOULSON – Won twice in May for Eve Johnson Houghton but he’s been well held the last twice off this mark, fading at Windsor in better ground. He looks to be in the handicapper’s grip and couldn’t be put forward.

5 NAYEL – Course and distance winner three starts ago, but those were in vastly different conditions and he’s been well held the last twice off his new mark. He would need the ground to dry up and should fall short here off this mark.

6 ROTHERWICK – Has been running well on occasion this season with two wins, but he’s inconsistent and was never involved in the Silver Cambridgeshire last month. He’s on the same mark and the best of his form gives him each way claims as he’ll handle the ground.

7 ZUMURUDEE – Still early days and he’s been highly tried of late, narrowly denied in a Class 2 Handicap before being brushed aside in a Listed race. Not as good on the turf as he is on the all weather and that, coupled with the fact he’s returning from a 151 day break, gives him enough to prove.

8 AWAKE MY SOUL – Gained his first win for over three years when taking a soft ground Haydock Handicap in great style, making all in game fashion. He’s only three pounds higher here and has obvious follow up claims.

9 JUPITER LIGHT – Only beaten by a progressive sort at Sandown on his latest start, raised six pounds though and softer ground is a big question mark. If able to handle it better than he did previously he has leading claims, but that’s a big if.

10 INDIAN CHIEF – Hold up horse who had no luck when finishing full of running over course and distance seven days ago. Danny Tudhope now takes over and, off only three pounds higher, he isn’t going to be far away with some luck.

11 CAPTON – Made all to complete a double at Sandown on his latest start, winning comfortably and making it two from two at this distance. He’s now five pounds higher which is fair and he has each way claims for a yard that are in red-hot form at present.

12 COMPTON MILL – Course and distance on his latest start, winning a good handicap by a short-head over Indian Chief. Meets that rival on much worse terms which is of concern as Indian Chief ran so well last time out and he may just struggle to keep placings now.

13 THREAT ASSESSED – Returned from a break with a well beaten effort in a top Newbury Handicap, now back to a more manageable level. He’s still unexposed and his current mark is fine, so he’s sure to play a key role with fitness now on his side.

14 MUTARAKEZ – Has lost his way after starting his career so promisingly, although most of those runs have come in a higher grade. The handicapper has given him a chance and, now into Class 3 company off such a low mark, he should be going very close.

15 ZZORO – Won at Newmarket back in May in softer ground and he’s only a pound higher, but he’s been less than impressive on all his runs since. Hard to dismiss him, but others can be backed with more confidence.

16 IN FIRST PLACE – Has only lived up to his name twice in 19 career starts, beaten out of sight at Haydock when last seen in September. His current mark gives him a chance and he handles softer ground, but you couldn’t be confident.

Non-Runners

4 RED TEA – All four of her wins have come at up to the mile distance, finishing 11th in the Cambridgeshire when last seen at Newmarket. She hasn’t been in the best of form in recent times and, with her stamina a question mark, others are preferred.