17:00 Nottingham

Tuesday 26 September 2023

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Grassroots Series Stayers' Final Handicap

Off time: 17:04 | Winning time: 3m 11.51s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Ace Rothstein^p³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Kyle Strydom| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 77

80/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2022. Good third over this trip at Sandown in July but needs to shrug off a poor run at Pontefract since.

Form: 6-87036

(12)

Motazzen^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: K Stott| T: George Baker| OR: 76

15/2

Fifteen runs since last win in 2021. Creditable fourth of 8 in handicap at Kempton (2m) 17 days ago, caught further back than ideal.

Form: 523444

(9)

Justus^v⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: David Probert| T: Ian Williams| OR: 75

22/1

French maiden winner who opened his account in this country when taking Doncaster handicap (2m, heavy) in April. Failed to come on for recent when only ninth of 11 at Haydock (2m, heavy) last time but possibilities from current mark if returning to form.

Form: 7-61989

(7)

Alpine Stroll^b¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: E De Giles| OR: 73| CD

14/1

Successful twice here last season and also a good third in this race. Another solid effort over C&D when second in June and he's dipped back a good mark after lesser runs the last twice. Course record affords him plenty of respect.

Form: 822486

(2)

Roost^t³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 80

11/2

15/2 and tongue strap on first time, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Ffos Las (1½m, soft) 32 days ago, pushed out. Lightly-raced sort from a leading yard so there could easily be more to come.

Form: 2-72451

(1)

C'mon Kenny^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 71

20/1

Last-gasp winner at Pontefract in June. Creditable fourth (Double Oban third) of 8 in handicap at Haydock (1¾m, good to firm, 5/1) 18 days ago. The booking of William Buick catches the eye.

Form: 310584

(13)

Militry Decoration^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: C Poulton| OR: 71| D

33/1

Consistent sort who was a good third of 14 in handicap (15/2) at Bath (1¾m, good to firm) 34 days ago.

Form: 683443

(10)

Alhambra Palace³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79| D

10/11

Le Havre colt who was much improved when winning in quick succession at Ascot (1½m) and Sandown (1¾m) this summer. Creditable fifth of 13 in the very competitive Melrose at York (1¾m) last month and major player up against largely older and more exposed opposition.

Form: 642115

(6)

De Vega's Warrior^t⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 71

22/1

Still a maiden but mostly creditable efforts in handicaps this term. Suspicion he'll find the odd one too strong again, though.

Form: 402274

(14)

Can Can Girl^v¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Robinson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 64

40/1

Hasn't tasted success since scoring on 2022 reappearance but she started 2023 with 4 creditable placed efforts. Not at best when behind a few of these at Haydock last time, though. Others are more obvious.

Form: 6-32337

(11)

Double Oban¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Davies| T: H Palmer| OR: 72| BF

14/1

Opened his account in a novice event at Leicester (1½m, firm) in May and been performing with credit in handicaps since, third of 8 over 1¾m at Haydock latest.

Form: 514423

(3)

Sophar Sogood^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: David Egan| T: J Butler| OR: 62| D

33/1

18/5, improved on recent efforts to win 11-runner handicap at Kempton (2m) 18 days ago, pushed out. Retains handicapping scope after a 4 lb rise but most of his best efforts have come on AW.

Form: 844531

(4)

Cold Henry⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Joanna Mason| T: Sara Ender| OR: 61

7/1

Ended last term with back-to-back victories at Catterick (2m) and placed on his first 4 outings this year. Bit disappointing at Beverley last time but he's not the type to stay down for long. Respected.

Form: 1-32236

(8)

Hellenista^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 58| D

40/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2022. 17/2, fourth of 5 in handicap at Carlisle (17f, soft) 13 days ago.

Form: 244224

Non-Runners

(15)

Desert Quest⁷

Weight: 8-2| Age: 5

T: Ewan Whillans J: Hayley Turner

Forecasts

Alhambra Palace (10/11), Roost (11/2), Cold Henry (7/1), Motazzen (15/2), Alpine Stroll (14/1), Double Oban (14/1), Desert Quest (16/1), C'mon Kenny (20/1), Justus (22/1), De Vega's Warrior (22/1), Sophar Sogood (33/1), Militry Decoration (33/1), Hellenista (40/1), Can Can Girl (40/1), Ace Rothstein (80/1)

Perhaps best to narrow this down to the 3-y-os, with ALHAMBRA PALACE, who was a fine fifth in the strong Melrose handicap at York's Ebor meeting last month, narrowly preferred to Ralph Beckett's Roost. Alpine Stroll's good Nottingham record, including reaching a place in this 12 months ago, earns him a place on the shortlist, while Cool Henry can shrug off a rare below-par run last time and also play a part.