October 02 / 15.45 Nottingham

15.45

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: Partly cloudy

Form: 937211 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite in the corresponding race 12 moths ago when he got going too late, eventually taking third (Fantasy Master second and better off today); he's found the winning habit this summer, produced late to score at Southwell in August before following up at York last month; another step forward required to win but he's on an upward path.
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: 637351 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Three of his five wins have come at Nottingham, including this race in 2022 when 5lb lower; made a bold bid last year when clawed back only late on by an improving filly; strong form when winning a 5f handicap at Doncaster 19 days ago (good ground) and a 5lb rise is unlikely to prevent another bold bid under these conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(9)

30th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:55 Yarmouth

Fantasy Master

8st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Robert Cowell

Commendable third of 18 on seasonal debut at Ascot (6f, good to firm) in May and bounced back from lesser effort when close second at Newmarket (5f, good) last week; remains on a workable mark and the forecast rain won't faze him; shortlisted.

5/1

2nd

5

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:04 Newmarket (July)

Fantasy Master

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Robert Cowell

Disappointed when dropped back to 5f in June and absent for ten weeks since but was commendable third of 18 on seasonal debut at Ascot (6f, good to firm) in May and is now 1lb lower; player if back on song.

10/1

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

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 700032 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Hold-up sprinter who lurks on a dangerous mark; penultimate Salisbury third was a big run in a race where the pace held up; another good run when second at Hamilton ten days ago and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(12)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Hierarchy

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Two wins and two seconds to his name from nine runs over C&D, has always tended to do well around this time of year and has slid to a handy mark; odds-on to miss the break and will need things to fall right from stall 12 but there are positives.

12/1

5th

1

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

18:46 Lingfield (AW)

Hierarchy

9st 11lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Two wins (disqualified from one) and a close fourth to his name from four runs over C&D, his last success coming off 4lb higher in February; not as good or consistent now but unlucky not to go closer last time and the handicapper's given him every chance.

7/1

6th

7

(13)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Hierarchy

9st 7lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Won this race last year off a 3lb lower mark, when the strong pace set things up for him; got into the habit of blowing the start lately and will need the breaks from stall 13 but the return here will help (two wins and two seconds from eight runs over C&D).

14/1

Form: 941006 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Recorded his first handicap win when narrowly landing a 6f event at Doncaster in June off 2lb lower (good to firm); handles soft, perhaps not heavy; finished behind a couple of these at York last time and others look stronger in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:02 Southwell (AW)

Minnesota Lad

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ivan Furtado

Good second over C&D last month but not quite in the same form back here 17 days ago; likely to run his race and more minor money could be on the cards; cheekpieces now added.

9/1

5

(5)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:15 Southwell (AW)

Minnesota Lad

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Expensive to follow since joining Ivan Furtado but he usually gives his running; dropping back to 5f isn't sure to be of benefit.

10/1

5

(5)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:15 Southwell (AW)

Minnesota Lad

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Expensive to follow since joining Ivan Furtado but he usually gives his running; dropping back to 5f isn't sure to be of benefit.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 632035

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Yet to add to his 2yo Royal Ascot win in 2022 but he's tumbled down the weights and there have been promising runs this summer, notably a Doncaster second and a close fifth in the Ayr Bronze Cup 12 days ago; handles soft ground but perhaps better on a sounder surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

The Ridler

9st 10lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

Ended a losing run when gamely fending off another in-form rival over C&D 11 days ago; 3lb rise is not excessive and this is a weaker race, so he has to feature prominently in calculations.

5/2

7th

1

(2)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

The Ridler

9st 10lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

Ended a losing run when gamely fending off another in-form rival over C&D 11 days ago; 3lb rise is not excessive and this is a weaker race, so he has to feature prominently in calculations.

5/2

1st

8

(1)

17th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Ridler

9st 4lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

in touch with leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, kept on

5/1

Abandoned

Form: 542421 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Off the mark for the year with a cosy Sandown win 19 days ago; 5lb higher against stronger opposition this time and this trip on testing ground might place too much emphasis on stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(3)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Four Adaay

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Took advantage of a good opportunity over C&D last month but came up short off higher marks twice since; conditions will be fine but others are more appealing.

11/2

6

(11)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 160y

Class 2

15:43 Bath

Four Adaay

8st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Beat a next-time-out winner when scoring at Ffos Las last month and probably didn't have an ideal track position when fourth at Sandown (also 5f, soft) on Friday; respected if she makes a quick reappearance here.

5/1

12

(9)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

14:35 Sandown

Four Adaay

8st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; first success since when beating four rivals at Ffos Las two weeks ago (5f, soft); this is deeper but a 2lb rise is manageable; more appealing than most.

5/1

Abandoned

Form: 480622 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Pushing two years since his last win but he's coming here on the back of two good runs, second at Ayr's Western meeting (5f, good) and then filling the same position at Ripon on Saturday (6f, soft); this is tougher but likely to run his race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:18 Newcastle (AW)

Music Society

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Ran on well to win a 6f handicap at Newmarket two weeks ago (6f, soft); that race had rather an end-of-season feel to it but the Topspeed figure was good and a 3lb rise looks fair; interesting on first AW start since October 2018.

7/2

9th

10

(7)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:18 Newcastle (AW)

Music Society

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Ran on well to win a 6f handicap at Newmarket two weeks ago (6f, soft); that race had rather an end-of-season feel to it but the Topspeed figure was good and a 3lb rise looks fair; interesting on first AW start since October 2018.

7/2

1st

12

(3)

2nd Nov 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:07 Newmarket

Music Society

8st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

took keen hold early, towards rear, switched left when smooth headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well

9/1

Form: 470054 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Underfoot conditions in his favour and he's well treated on his spring form for Jack Jones; ran well for this yard at Chester on penultimate run and Monday's Hamilton effort suggested the return to 6f would help; others still look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has a patchy profile and was quiet at Wolverhampton last week, but he came from rear to snatch victory at Chester (5f, good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.

8/1

8th

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Has three course wins over 5f but has winning form over 6f; hold-up tactics worked to a tee at Chester (5f, good) last month when he weaved through the pack to win by a neck; such tactics do not always pay off so will do well to repeat those here.

7/2

Form: 568724 D BF

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Ran his best race this year when second at Hamilton nine days ago (6f, good to soft); not so good at Ripon on Saturday though and he looks vulnerable in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(11)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Havana Pursuit

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

On a long losing run and he comes here on the back of a below-par sixth of nine in 7f Redcar handicap 13 days ago; others appeal more.

8/1

6th

1

(11)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Havana Pursuit

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

On a long losing run and he comes here on the back of a below-par sixth of nine in 7f Redcar handicap 13 days ago; others appeal more.

8/1

6th

8

(7)

5th Nov 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:09 Redcar

Havana Pursuit

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Two wins at up to 6f on slow ground; has a squeak based on his Hamilton second in September but he's been badly out of sorts on his last three starts; steps up in trip but he's half-brother to two winners over it, so he could see it out; one of two in this for his trainer.

16/1

Form: 574323 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Placed at Redcar in July and Southwell in August; capable off this mark but this is a stronger race than he's used to; has form on slow going but may prefer it a bit quicker; Monday's Hamilton third needs bettering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Musselburgh

So Grateful

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

He's won six times and has been runner-up in his last three contests, latest when jockey dropped her whip when in front inside the final furlong at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm); he may well gain compensation today.

11/4

2nd

4

(3)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

17:40 Yarmouth

So Grateful

10st 10lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

2-41 on turf, the latest success coming at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) last May; runner-up on his last two starts, latest over 5f at that venue 12 days ago, and warrants respect now stepped back up in trip.

11/4

2nd

9

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:27 Thirsk

So Grateful

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Record of 2-40 on turf but his last win was at Thirsk last spring and he was runner-up at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last week; looks interesting off 1lb lower here and he's respected back at this track.

7/2

Verdict

A strong pace would bring Hierarchy into the reckoning but Northern Spirit and FANTASY MASTER (nap), third and second in this race last year, may fight this out. The selection has a good record at this track and his 5f win at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting represents strong handicap form.[Paul Smith]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Northern Spirit

SPOTLIGHT:

Fantasy Master

WEST COUNTRY:

Four Adaay

TOPSPEED:

Havana Pursuit

D Express:

The Ridler

Telegraph:

Northern Spirit

The Guardian:

Northern Spirit

Daily Mirror:

Northern Spirit

The Sun:

Northern Spirit

POSTDATA:

Fantasy Master

The Times:

Fantasy Master

Daily Mail:

Fantasy Master

The Star:

Four Adaay

Daily Record:

Four Adaay