8.00pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 22/04/2017

This is a competitive handicap over 5 furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A few of these are making their handicap debuts and this can go to the bottom weight THE BIG SHORT. He showed he was on a workable mark in a weaker grade than this back in October and he can take full advantage of all the weight he receives here. Tallinski is interesting stepping down in grade whilst Stringybark Creek must surely be lingering on a winning mark.

1 TALLINSKI – Makes his handicap debut today off a mark of 77 having finished second in two Novice Stakes races last year. He was gelded over the summer and hasn’t been seen on the track since May so he’s maybe needed a bit of time to come into himself. Ben Robinson is a useful claimer and takes off 7lbs and he’s in with a chance here based on form and the potential for improvement.

2 DESERT SPORT – Broke his maiden tag at the fifth time of asking last November and he’s entered into handicap company off a mark of 75 today. He’s kept over 5 furlongs which looks like a smart move and Jamie Spencer takes over the ride for a stable that do well at Nottingham (13% strike rate), especially in sprint company. Market should guide and there should be more to come from him.

3 FABRIC – Nice filly who went close off 2lbs lower last October over 5 furlongs at Windsor. She confirmed her liking for the ground that day, beaten just 1/2 a length, finishing second of 15 and she returns here off a 194-day break. She’ll need to be race fit to get competitive here and it’s a positive that she’s kept over 5 furlongs so there’s plenty to like about her. Stall 4 is ideal and the yard have been in blistering form (21% strike rate) of late.

4 SUWAAN – Sprung a surprise at the end of March in a Class 6 handicap at Newcastle. He was sent off 14/1 and was ridden prominently to fend off all the opposition to win off a mark of 65. The handicapper has been slightly tough on him, raising him 5lbs and this is a much harder race than anything he has faced to date. Open to improvement but others make more appeal on form.

5 MONTEAMIATA – Lightly-raced filly who makes her handicap debut today having broken her maiden tag at the third time of asking at Lingfield back in January. The form of that race doesn’t look particularly strong and she will need to improve a fair bit to win a handicap off this mark but her yard have a 15% strike rate here and she’s open to improvement. Definite chances at a slightly bigger price.

6 FETHIYE BOY – Won a 5 furlong maiden at Chelmsford back in February when making all to win. He enters handicap company again off a mark of 68 which is 2lbs lower than when well-beaten in a similar grade to this at Lingfield. The yard do well here with a limited number of runners although he looks slightly exposed compared to a few of his rivals in this and will need a near-career best to score off this mark.

7 ONE TOO MANY – Returns off a seasonal break following a mixed campaign last year. She placed over 6 furlongs here in August when beaten by a smart type but she failed to follow that up and struggled in two handicaps subsequently. She’s been dropped another 2lbs and she’s falling to a more workable mark although she has shown her best form over 6 furlongs. Worth a second look in the betting.

8 LIGHTOLLER – Mixed performances last year which included a placed effort in maiden company over 5 furlongs on Good ground. He was well-beaten in two handicaps over 7 furlongs earlier this season and he has to take a massive step up to get competitive here. The drop back in trip should help as should the return to turf but he has too many questions to answer and may be best watched.

9 STRINGYBARK CREEK – Second runner in this for Mick Channon and he hasn’t shown much since breaking his maiden tag on his second career start. He was highly tried throughout last summer but has struggled in two weak contests since returning to action this year and a 2lb drop in the weights may not be enough to see him get competitive here. He is on a falling mark though and should be capable in this company if he can rekindle some old form.

10 CHAMPION HARBOUR – Richard Fahey has the best strike rate of all today’s trainers at Nottingham (19%) and he runs a 9-race maiden here. He ran to a consistent level last summer which included a placed effort over 6 furlongs here on Good to Firm and the handicapper has finally dropped him again in the weights. A mark of 61 should be workable but he returns off a seasonal break and may improve for his first run of the season.

11 THE BIG SHORT – Improved to finish third of nine at Kempton last October. That came off today’s mark but that was a much weaker race than this and he’ll need to improve to come on top here. He does receive plenty of weight and this trainer can get one ready (22% strike rate last 14 days) so he’s in with a chance here with more to come over 5 furlongs. Has been plenty of support for him and there could be support again today.