September 26 / 17.00 Nottingham

17.00

Soft

Grassroots Series Stayers’ Final Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 15 runners
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Grassroots Series Stayers’ Final Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.70
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 523444

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Dual French winner who has yet to score in Britain but has run well on occasions this year and he stays further than this; it's been a while since he ran without some form of eye-wear but he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

18:09 Plumpton

Motazzen

11st 1lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four-time hurdle winner and career-best form to win by 10l at Fontwell two runs ago (2m5f, good to soft); went up 8lb for that and was back down to earth on his return visit when beaten 20l; hard to know entirely what to expect from him.

100/30

8th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Motazzen

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four-time hurdle winner who rewarded good market support and showed career-best form when drawing clear to score by 10l here (2m5f, good to soft) in March; 8lb rise asks a fair bit of him but the forecast faster ground should not be a problem.

5/1

1st

3

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Motazzen

11st 12lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four Flat wins and three over hurdles; has yet to win this season over jumps but two of his three placed efforts came here and he's likely to be a strong contender, for all that last two runs (hurdle/AW) weren't his best.

3/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 642115 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Very progressive in winning handicaps at Ascot (1m4f, good to soft) and Sandown (1m6f, heavy) before coming up short in the Melrose at York; almost certainly found fast ground against him there (hung) and remains of strong interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(10)

26th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Nottingham

Alhambra Palace

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

dwelt start, took keen hold, in rear, headway from 3f out, hung left but went second against far rail over 1f out, kept on, just held

7/4

5th

13

(11)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Alhambra Palace

8st 3lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Runner-up at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) last month on second handicap start and has won his next two (1m4f/1m6f, good to soft/heavy); has travelled really well for those wins and he could have more left in the tank for trainer who has won two of the last four runnings (also saddles Lordship).

13/2

1st

7

(4)

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:27 Sandown

Alhambra Palace

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: William Haggas

Has improved plenty since handicapping, getting off the mark by nearly 5l at Ascot (1m4f, good to soft) last Friday; has a good chance of staying the longer trip on breeding and 6lb penalty is unlikely to stop him if he's in the same form.

8/13

16/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 822486 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come here but he has a poor strike-rate and would prefer faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

12

(7)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Alpine Stroll

10st 11lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form off this 7lb higher mark at Haydock (1m6f, which he stays) 13 days later, however.

12/1

OUR TIP

33/1

Form: -87036

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Triple turf winner at up to 11.5f on sound surfaces; placed on good to soft at Sandown on his penultimate run but doubt that he wants it any softer than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

16:30 Southwell (AW)

Ace Rothstein

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Matt Crawley

led narrowly, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

33/1

6th

2

(5)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

16:30 Southwell (AW)

Ace Rothstein

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Matt Crawley

led narrowly, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

33/1

6th

11

(7)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

13:45 Southwell (AW)

Ace Rothstein

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Matt Crawley

cajoled along soon after start, midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 3f out, carried head high inside final furlong, kept on final 110yds

50/1

14/1

Form: -32236

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Near misses over 1m6f and 2m2f during the summer; those came in easier races than this and he's not been at his best the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Cold Henry

8st 13lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Made all over hurdles at Catterick in March but pulled up at Hexham next time; bounced back to form returned to the Flat nine days ago, keeping on into fourth over this C&D; each-way chance.

14/1

4th

8

(6)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Cold Henry

9st 3lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Returns to the Flat after showing mixed form over hurdles; placed three times in seven visits here including over this trip, but others are more compelling.

11/1

2

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Cold Henry

11st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Ridden from the front when gaining a breakthrough win over hurdles in 3m1f Catterick handicap 21 days ago; this fair winning stayer on the Flat can make his presence felt despite a 5lb rise.

5/1

33/1

Form: 244224 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Consistent but her losing run is mounting up and she's accustomed to competing at a lower level than this; mostly kept away from soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

29th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

12:30 Kelso

Hellenista

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

midfield, mistake 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out

25/1

6th

7

18th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:29 Wetherby

Hellenista

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear

100/1

8th

2

(7)

16th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

16:40 Musselburgh

Hellenista

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Beaten on her last 15 starts going back to last June but she's been running well of late in the main and could be thereabouts.

11/2

12/1

Form: -61989

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
His two wins (one in France) came under aggressive rides on soft ground, latterly off a 3lb lower mark in the spring (2m); below par since in cheekpieces and a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Justus

11st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Took big step back in right direction and arguably ran better than bare form suggests when fifth at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) in March, but was generally very disappointing last season; others have more appealing profiles.

16/1

Form: 402274

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-14 and well beaten by the winner when twice runner-up earlier this year; mixed results on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

De Vegas Warrior

10st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Longstanding maiden under both codes but he was running well when crashing out two from home at Taunton 17 days ago (3m, good); enters the reckoning.

7/1

9

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

De Vegas Warrior

10st 11lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Henrietta C Knight

Didn't fire on latest outing but began handicap hurdle career with encouraging thirds at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and Fakenham (2m7f, good); 4lb lower now and Philip Armson claims 3lb today; could have a say.

12/1

6th

8

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:20 Southwell

De Vegas Warrior

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.

8/1

33/1

Form: -32337

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Only beat one home at Haydock (1m6f, good) last time but had been running well prior to that; has a bit to prove on ground this soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(4)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Can Can Girl

8st 13lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Craig Lidster

slowly away, in rear

16/1

6th

5

(11)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:23 Catterick

Can Can Girl

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Multiple winner at up to 14.5f; stays 2m; back on her last winning mark and ran with credit when third at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) latest; should be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

6

(9)

16th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

13:45 Thirsk

Can Can Girl

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Craig Lidster

Suited by give in the ground; won off this mark at Doncaster in July (1m6f, good to soft); not fared as well since; bit to prove.

11/1

14/1

Form: 514423 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won a small-field 1m4f novice earlier this year; has been coming up short in handicaps and in easier ones than this; goes on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:18 Perth

Double Oban

12st 0lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

5-11 over hurdles but the bulk of those wins have come on soft or heavy ground; sits 4lb higher than when winning at Leicester (2m, soft; 9-4, four runners) over Christmas; one of three declared runners for Olly Murphy.

10/1

5th

3

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

Double Oban

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Progressive 6yo who kept on stoutly to beat three rivals at Leicester (1m7f, soft) in December and is now 5-10 over hurdles; contests this much deeper race from a 6lb higher mark but still considered.

4/1

11th
5 (2)
Roost

11/2

Form: -72451

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Not at his best in two previous runs over 1m6f but he came home well to collect over 1m4f at Ffos Las (good to soft; handles softer) and stamina shouldn't be an issue; one for the shortlist off 5lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(7)

5th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Roost

9st 10lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Ralph Beckett

Habitual slow-starter who again got going too late to land a blow when seventh of 13 at Kempton (1m3f) ten days ago; the visor he wore that day is retained; has just one win from 15 goes and needs something extra.

8/1

7th

12

(10)

25th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Roost

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

slowly into stride

11/2

3rd

4

(7)

6th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Roost

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Has had just two AW races, including when second as 2yo; sole win (13 races) came over 1m4f at Ffos Las last August off 2lb higher, on the first of two starts with a tongue-tie which returns today; not so good since, with blinkers on last two outings, but the tongue-tie might help.

11/2

12/1

Form: 310584

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner who ran okay over this far at Haydock last time; whether he wants the ground this soft is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell (AW)

CMon Kenny

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Ian Williams

Gained his sole AW win on Kempton Polytrack (2m) but handled Tapeta in one attempt in 2022; only just lost out back at Kempton in October but his recent Lingfield run was a washout; turnaround not ruled out.

8/1

2nd

5

(2)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell (AW)

CMon Kenny

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Ian Williams

Gained his sole AW win on Kempton Polytrack (2m) but handled Tapeta in one attempt in 2022; only just lost out back at Kempton in October but his recent Lingfield run was a washout; turnaround not ruled out.

8/1

9th

7

(8)

3rd Dec 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:27 Lingfield (AW)

CMon Kenny

9st 10lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

Said to have been suited by the return to the AW when winning at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) last autumn and duly bounced back from three ordinary turf efforts there in October; only 1lb higher than for that near miss and he's a big player if he can repeat the form.

11/2

14/1

Form: 844531 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Snapped a losing run when coming clear in the closing stages at Kempton (2m, AW) this month; only 1-16 on turf but goes on soft ground and remains well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Sophar Sogood

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Convincing winner at Catterick (2m, good) in August and following effort was respectable; ran no race last time at Chester but wouldn't be without hope if back on song.

20/1

11th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Sophar Sogood

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Butler

Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.

12/1

1

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ffos Las

Sophar Sogood

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John Butler

Five-time AW winner whose success at Catterick (2m, good) three weeks ago was a first win on turf for nearly four years; might need a fraction more up 4lb but that was a pretty convincing success; Colin Keane's first ride for the yard; respected.

7/2

Form: 683443 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Doesn't find winning easy but looked unlucky not to go really close last time at Bath (1m6f, good); goes on this ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(11)

9th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

16:12 Kempton (AW)

Militry Decoration

9st 13lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Camilla Poulton

Won off 5lb higher on Tapeta earlier this year and returned to form with a 3l third behind The Colorist at Lingfield four weeks ago; will need more again, though.

12/1

3rd

4

(7)

11th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

17:50 Lingfield (AW)

Militry Decoration

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Camilla Poulton

Won on Polytrack as 2yo but three later wins on Tapeta, at 1m4f to 1m6f; hard to recommend at present as he's been a slow starter since his most recent win in March and was way back at Wolverhampton in August.

25/1

6th

2

(4)

16th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

15:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Militry Decoration

9st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Camilla Poulton

slowly away, always behind

25/1

Form: 296542 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
All four wins and best form have come on good or quicker ground; runner-up at Redcar last week but that was a Class 6 handicap and this is much harder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(4)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner in January 2024 and several fair efforts after that; ran his best race since a 590-day break when a good fourth at Catterick last time; each-way chance.

7/1

4th

8

(6)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Desert Quest

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

Well treated on his 2024 exploits and, having returned from a long absence in February, it's possible he's working his way back into form; however, this 8yo is not easy to fancy on the evidence of this year's two runs.

33/1

5th

10

(6)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:08 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Pulled hard when finishing last in a 0-55 handicap over C&D recently, his first start in around 18 months; entitled to improve but is very hard to recommend.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.30
Straight Forecast £14.75
Tricast £112.86
Trifecta £187.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Alhambra Palace

Telegraph:

Roost

TOPSPEED:

Alpine Stroll

Daily Mail:

Double Oban

RP RATINGS:

Motazzen

The Guardian:

Desert Quest

NEWMARKET:

Alhambra Palace

The Times:

Alhambra Palace

D Express:

Alhambra Palace

Daily Mirror:

Alhambra Palace

The Sun:

Alhambra Palace

Daily Record:

Alhambra Palace

The Star:

Roost

POSTDATA:

Alpine Stroll