5.40pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 03/08/2017

A two mile handicap to close out the myracing.com sponsored Nottingham card. This is going to take plenty of stamina in the soft conditions, read on for our runner by runner preview and expert tip.

IN SUMMARY: Maori Bob should enjoy the conditions and is a deserving favourite down two grades in class. The big issue with him is the way he pulls for his head, he is a doubt to get home over this longer trip. Sheriff Garrett would be of interest if the headgear works again while Clearance is interesting at a huge price with the new trip and ground looking to suit on pedigree. OUR CILLA was a wide margin winner stepped up to a mile and six furlongs last time when encountering soft ground, a further step up in trip can suit, she looks progressive and can win again.

1 ULYSSES – Twice placed on the all weather, he has not progressed from his debut. He didn’t look as if this trip was suitable at Lingfield last time when trying it for the first time. That was a deeper contest than this one, but he still has a lot to prove that this is what he needs to get his head in front for the first time.

2 MAORI BOB – Has improved each time he has stepped up in trip, running on well over a mile and five furlongs last time. He didn’t look the easiest to handle on that occasion which is a concern if he pulls hard again over further. By Big Bad Bob, he should improve for having a little more cut in the ground than he has faced so far. He deserves plenty of respect taking a double drop in class, looking a major player but will need to settle better over this longer trip.

3 OXFORD BLU – Sent off favourite when third in a handicap over this trip at Lingfield last time when in front of Ulysses. He could only muster the one pace on that occasion so perhaps this longer straight will allow him to get into top gear a little earlier. The headgear is changed for the fourth race in a row so is clearly far from straightforward and may find at least one too good.

4 SHERIFF GARRETT – Broke his duck at the ninth time of asking last time out when making his all weather debut in first time cheekpieces. He ran fine the time before when runner up at Redcar, on both occasions looking as if a step up to this trip could suit him better. Has a seven pound higher mark to contend with but holds a chance if the headgear works as well again.

5 HIGH WELLS – Produced a career best when fitted with headgear for the first time on his handicap debut. That was over a mile and a quarter on firm ground, so has very different conditions now, stepped up six furlongs in trip. His breeding suggests that the ground may not be a concern, but he isn’t bred for this trip, his dam failed to win beyond seven furlongs.

6 OUR CILLA – Improved out of all recognition when winning last time out. That was the longest trip she had tried coupled with the softest ground encountered and it improved her considerably. The way she came clear on that occasion suggests that this extra quarter of a mile is within her compass and with the ground on the soft side again, she can go in again.

7 BODACIOUS NAME – Has plugged on at one pace late on over slightly shorter trips the last twice. Is yet to get his head in front but this step up in trip looks a positive step for him with the yard having a welcome winner with El Astronaute at Goodwood on Tuesday having been going through a quiet spell.

8 CLEARANCE – Didn’t show much in three maidens but much better is anticipated now that he is handicapped. His dam won over two and a quarter miles so the step up half a mile in trip should be perfect for him on breeding, with easier ground than last time suitable given he is by Authorized. He has plenty to find on bare form so far, but it would be no surprise if he were able to leave those runs behind him now.

9 GENERAL ALLENBY – Shown precious little in ten career starts. He has been fourth and fifth in his two starts over this trip which is as close as he has got, but that still leaves him with a fair amount to find with a few of these who are open to far more in the way of improvement that he is.

10 NOTHING COMPARES – Both best runs on turf came at Beverley, including over this trip last time out. She was in front of General Allenby that day, both from the same marks as now, with no good reason for him to reverse those placings with her. That gives her an outside squeak but others are more likely to step forward than her.

11 COMPANY TRADER – Beaten just three rivals home in four career races so far. He showed nothing on his handicap debut last time so this step up in trip is going to have to make a significant impact for him to get close to the principals.