September 26 / 15.50 Nottingham

15.50

Soft

Grassroots Series Final Sprint Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 6f 18y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Grassroots Series Final Sprint Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 414516 CD BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Two 6f handicap wins this season, latterly when powering clear in first-time headgear over C&D six weeks ago; 5f on fast ground didn't look quite enough of a test when a close sixth at York's Ebor meeting last time; return to 6f a plus but she's yet to race on slower than good (useful half brother Khanjar hasn't shone under slower conditions); fair chance there's more to come though and she has to enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(6)

26th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Newmarket

Pinafore

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

prominent, pressed leader over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

3/1

7th

2

(4)

22nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:20 York

Pinafore

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: William Haggas

Had a spirited end to 2023, winning a handicap and runner-up in a Listed race (both 6f on soft; effective on good to firm) but this year hasn't gone so well and she hasn't repeated a good second, when upped to 7f in a Listed race at Musselburgh in June, in two runs since; blinkers now replace cheekpieces; needs a turnaround.

20/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 726105 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three of his four career wins have come at this track, including a comfortable success in this race 12 months ago off a 6lb lower mark; off the mark for the year at Doncaster in July (6f, good) and he's one to take seriously under today's conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

14:13 Sandown

Fantasy Master

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Robert Cowell

Soon off the mark for this yard at Chelmsford (AW) in December and it was a fine return when quickly out of the stalls and finishing third of 18 at Ascot (again 6f, good to firm); respected off the same mark despite his unfavourable draw; goes on all ground.

10/1

3rd

16

(3)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Fantasy Master

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Robert Cowell

Ended 2025 with a 6f win at Chelmsford in December; 2lb higher mark and stronger opposition might find him out back from five months off.

12/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 341223 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Made good progress in handicaps this season, winning twice at Newcastle and also over C&D (soft; impressive in cheekpieces for the first time); Yarmouth second in July represents strong sprint handicap form and he then chased home Pinafore over C&D (8lb better off for just over 3l); might get closer on today's slower ground and he still looks on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(17)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Northern Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Effective on AW and turf; respectable third in big field at Doncaster (6f) returned to this sphere last time; remains on a workable mark and gained last two wins over 5f.

11/1

3rd

18

(3)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Northern Spirit

8st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Brian Ellison

Usually slowly away but his refusal to race at Newcastle in January was a first; won't mind getting back on the grass and he is proven in big-field handicaps; could go well at a price.

33/1

7th

2

(1)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Northern Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Usually slowly away but his refusal to race here last month was a first; ran okay over 7f here last week and capable of a big run but he is a risky proposition.

14/1

Form: 211252 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
He's enjoying a fine campaign, winning four times and running right up to his recent best when second of 16 at Bath ten days ago; should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(11)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Foreseeable Future

10st 4lb

J: Miss Charli Parker

T: Ruth Carr

Consistent over 5f-6f during summer but yet to win this year and form has dipped lately; will find this easier than latest task and won't mind if the ground softens but younger rivals have more appealing profiles.

14/1

13th

16

(5)

15th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 2

16:20 Bath

Foreseeable Future

8st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Went close over C&D in a 0-55 handicap in July; placed on his next two starts but underperformed last time and this is a tough task from out of the weights.

33/1

9th

4

(8)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

15:40 Southwell (AW)

Foreseeable Future

9st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

in touch with leaders

6/1

16/1

Form: 359065 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Smart in his pomp but he's had a torrid season, albeit his best effort came over C&D in June; hinted at a possible revival at Goodwood three weeks ago but failed to back it up at Chester ten days ago; others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(5)

2nd Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mokaatil

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Ian Williams

Just two of his 96 starts have been over 7f but he was placed over C&D in February; three Chepstow wins in the summer and he also ran well for third at Chelmsford when last seen five weeks ago; each-way shout.

8/1

6th

6

(5)

2nd Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mokaatil

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Ian Williams

Just two of his 96 starts have been over 7f but he was placed over C&D in February; three Chepstow wins in the summer and he also ran well for third at Chelmsford when last seen five weeks ago; each-way shout.

8/1

3rd

3

(12)

26th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Chelmsford (AW)

Mokaatil

9st 12lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Ian Williams

Rattled off a Chepstow hat-trick in the summer and showed better form when third in a C&D handicap this month; never threatened at Kempton 12 days ago and he has the widest stall to overcome here.

11/1

Form: 292540 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Chance on this season's best but he finished behind two of today's rivals here last month and was below form at York last time; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(5)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

17:40 Doncaster

Spirit Of Applause

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Having his 50th career start and reliable in the main; close up last week at Nottingham (5f, good to firm) after racing up with the pace; each-way chance.

6/1

3rd

6

(2)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Spirit Of Applause

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Ended his last campaign in good form and he reappeared with a respectable fourth at Beverley (5f, good) 16 days ago; he could show the benefit of that latest outing today and he's run some good races over this C&D.

3/1

4th

4

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Beverley

Spirit Of Applause

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

C&D winner who was in good form last autumn; the booking of the promising Jake Dickson catches the eye, but he's been off for over seven months and doesn't have a great record when fresh.

12/1

Form: 1355 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Did well to win a 6f maiden at Doncaster on debut in July; followed that with a creditable run under a penalty at Ripon; no match for Pinafore over C&D last month but his latest effort at Southwell offered hope of better; no surprise to see him go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

16/1

Form: 397178 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Didn't make her debut until January and she's made good progress, winning four times; not at her best on her last two starts but it could be that soft ground is preferable for her and further improvement could yet be forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:15 Southwell (AW)

Just A Spark

8st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Multiple AW winner; out of sorts this winter, however, and the addition of blinkers needs to turn things around.

20/1

8th

3

(8)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:40 Southwell (AW)

Just A Spark

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Won three times over 6f in early 2024 and was placed in a valuable race on sole attempt at 7f but is yet to strike form since returning from a break in December and needs a good boost from the first-time cheekpieces.

12/1

5th

2

(1)

20th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Kempton (AW)

Just A Spark

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Rod Millman

raced in third, lost position then weakened inside final furlong

5/1

Form: 5-6780

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Not matched his 2yo form in 6f-7f handicaps this season; tumbling down the weights but he's up against it from 10lb out of the weights here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(1)

20th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

14:10 Redcar

Brother Sebastian

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tim Easterby

2yo promise but he's been struggling badly in handicaps this year; dropped 19lb as a consequence but the fitting of cheekpieces isn't enough to tempt today; one of three runners for the yard.

25/1

13th

4

(12)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Brother Sebastian

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

This is more suitable than the Class 2 handicap he contested on Tuesday but he's still not easily recommended on 2023 evidence.

14/1

9th

13

(13)

26th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 2

15:50 Nottingham

Brother Sebastian

8st 2lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Tim Easterby

dwelt start and stumbled start, took keen hold, always behind

33/1

8/1

Form: 752731 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
The fitting of a visor has sparked some improvement on his last two starts and he won with a bit to spare at Catterick two weeks ago (6f, soft); effectively 7lb higher today but it's quite possible there's more to come from him and conditions won't hold any terrors.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Havana Rum

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ended 2025 in good form on AW; some solid efforts back on turf this year without suggesting he had much in hand of his mark; minor money perhaps his best hope.

14/1

3rd

5

(5)

1st Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

18:22 Epsom

Havana Rum

9st 10lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Back to his best last year and his reappearance second of 13 at Pontefract (5f) in April sent his mark to new heights; hasn't matched that in three starts since but last time's fifth of ten from the widest stall at Chester (6f, also good to soft; not clear run) suggests this mark isn't beyond him; in the picture.

10/1

5th

7

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

13:35 Chester

Havana Rum

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

His year started well when bustling up Saturday's Epsom "Dash" winner at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in April but his two runs last month didn't come close and he has the widest stall.

20/1

Non-runners

Muscika, Sera Dawn, Muy Muy Guapo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.20
Straight Forecast £31.56
Tricast £101.01
Trifecta £101.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Northern Spirit

The Times:

Billyjoh

Telegraph:

Havana Rum

Daily Mirror:

Foreseeable Future

RP RATINGS:

Mokaatil

POSTDATA:

Sera Dawn

TOPSPEED:

Spirit Of Applause

NEWMARKET:

Fantasy Master

The Guardian:

Billyjoh

The Star:

Havana Rum

Daily Mail:

Northern Spirit

Daily Record:

Northern Spirit

D Express:

Mokaatil