May 20 / 17.05 Nottingham

17.05

Good To Firm

Watch On Racing TV Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 75y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Watch On Racing TV Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 55-2

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Handicap debutant; good second in Windsor maiden (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago, improving on his heavy-ground 2yo efforts; going one better requires further progress, which is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

4

(5)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Newbury

Herculeus

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Last year's wins were at about 1m and hasn't raced over 7f since his debut; quiet this season after a gelding operation and others appeal more; cheekpieces, in which he has form figures of 100, now return.

25/1

5th

5

(3)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newbury

Herculeus

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

C&D winner last August (good ground; cheekpieces first time); three heavy defeats have followed and he comes here with plenty to prove.

25/1

9th

8

(10)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Herculeus

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Tailed off in two races since winning off 7lb lower at Newbury last August (1m; in first-time cheekpieces which are now absent); might be high enough in the ratings even if all the better for being gelded; absent since October.

40/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 4-3323 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who is proving consistent; short-head second over C&D (good) and very close third at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) since switched to turf from AW; up another 2lb but is threatening to win a race of this nature; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(5)

28th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:45 Curragh

Zarathos

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Dylan Cunha

Progressive British raider arrives in excellent form; notched up successive handicap wins at Windsor (1m, gd-fm) and York (7f, good) and another fine effort on latest at Epsom (7f, gd-sft) when a neck runner-up off 85; 5lb higher here so will need to improve again but that's not impossible; top rider booked.

6/1

2nd

9

(16)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

Zarathos

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Dylan Cunha

Off the mark at the 18th attempt at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last month and followed up in big field at York (7f, good) eight days later; latest 7lb rise may not stop this thriving 4yo if he handles the softer ground here.

8/1

1st

14

(9)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Zarathos

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Dylan Cunha

Finally got the job done in Windsor contest (1m, good to firm) last week and did it comfortably, opening his account at the 18th attempt; great chance under a penalty, provided he's in the same form back down in trip; due to go up 4lb in future.

9/2

7/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 5-631 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in AW novice events won by useful sorts who have boosted the form; proved comfortably ahead of his opening mark in Windsor handicap (1m, good to firm) last week; incurs a penalty but Jack Dace takes off 7lb; the type to improve further anyway; highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Man Of La Mancha

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Gelded before winning at Windsor (good to firm) last May and finished that season with further wins at Sandown (also 1m, soft) and Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm); on the premises when he suffered chance-ending interference at Newbury last time and this tactically versatile sort is well drawn to sit handy; interesting.

13/2

5th

13

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Man Of La Mancha

8st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Ralph Beckett

Won three of his seven handicaps (1m-1m1f) last term, including the last two; just fourth of 13 to Spanish Voice when favourite at Newmarket on reappearance but that was respectable; player on peak 2025 effort.

10/1

4th

3

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Man Of La Mancha

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

On a roll when last seen, winning at Sandown (1m, soft) and on this course (1m1f, good to firm) in second half of last season; that form looks solid and he's been nudged up only 3lb for the second success; leading claims if ready to roll after seven months off.

11/2

Form: 223-53

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Proving a consistent sort, having been placed in four of his five outings; creditable third at Doncaster (1m, good) latest, leading over 3f out until inside the final 1f; each-way claims off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

28th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Lingfield

Hot Dancer

9st 5lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Upped to 1m2f for wins when favourite at Chelmsford (AW) and Redcar (good to firm) on last two outings; up another 5lb and 1m1f may not help, so strongly did he stay on last time, but he is progressing well and has just two to beat; the hat-trick beckons.

2/5

5

(5)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:40 Redcar

Hot Dancer

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Consistent; stepped up in trip, duly obliging at Chelmsford (1m2f Class 5; 85-40 favourite) a fortnight ago; reverts to turf with more improvement necessary (in this higher grade) to double up from a 4lb higher mark; it's possible that the task is achievable though; merits respect.

3/1

6

(4)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Hot Dancer

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Charlie Johnston

Made the frame on both appearances since his underwhelming seasonal/handicap debut in April; needs to find something extra to open his account today but the move up from about 1m may unlock some improvement.

10/1

Form: 57-195 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Couple of AW wins for previous yard; creditable fifth, despite a tardy start, over 1m at Doncaster most recently (second run for new stable); however, likely needs some improvement to open his turf account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

20:43 Nottingham

Everyoneknowsadave

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Jessica Macey

Has gained all of his three wins on the AW but is knocking on the door for his first turf win; placed on his last two runs, latest when runner-up at Leicester (1m2f, good) last month; claims.

11/4

2nd

5

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Leicester

Everyoneknowsadave

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

All three wins have been on the AW but has been placed on turf on three occasions, including when running on for third at Pontefract (1m2f, good) 11 days ago; makes appeal.

13/2

3rd

3

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Everyoneknowsadave

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Jessica Macey

Three-time AW winner who has rather stagnated in that sphere in 2026; record of 0-8 on turf but he was placed off higher marks in last two attempts; each-way possibilities, provided he's back in similar form.

8/1

Form: 521-3 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Steady progress in 2yo maidens culminated in narrow success at Southwell (1m, AW); creditable third in Ripon handicap (1m, good) on reappearance; place possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Lingfield

Flagon Dry

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

AW Flat winner at 1m; in the frame in three juvenile hurdles in the autumn but was treading water when finishing remote on handicap debut at Windsor (2m, good) recently and the step up in trip has to be a query.

16/1

2

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Wetherby

Flagon Dry

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Fair Flat racer; weakened into well-held fourth on recent hurdling debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good) but some positives can be drawn from that performance and he may have learnt from the experience.

3/1

4th

3

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:38 Fontwell

Flagon Dry

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

1m AW maiden winner 12 months ago; also placed on first run of this year but has regressed since; blinkers did nothing last time, albeit on heavy ground (1m3f); bit risky on this hurdling debut.

16/1

25/1

Form: 5-26

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Best novice effort when second at Southwell (1m, AW); seemed to need the run at Windsor two weeks ago when back from a break on debut for new yard; heed the market signals now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(6)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Oceans Charm

9st 6lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ed de Giles

Runner-up in a Southwell novice in January when with James Ferguson; rather disappointing on turf since; on a good mark back on the AW; could run well.

8/1

7

(1)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 209y

Class 5

17:17 Sandown

Oceans Charm

9st 2lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ed de Giles

Seven-race maiden but with less to prove than some of these after finishing well for second over this far in a Ffos Las handicap three weeks ago (good to soft; unraced on slower); should be in the thick of it off the same mark.

5/1

6

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:10 Ffos Las

Oceans Charm

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ed de Giles

Promising runner-up on AW (1m) in January but she hasn't looked to be crying out for a step up in trip in the meantime and others have less to prove stamina-wise.

16/1

Form: 3940-3

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; sold out of Brian Meehan's yard for 20,000gns after final 2yo start; shaped encouragingly at Newcastle (7f, AW) on debut for shrewd new connections and is likely to build on that effort; dam's side suggests he'll stay this new trip; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(10)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

War Howl

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Won twice over 7f this time last year for Mick Appleby and is 8lb lower than when successful at Ascot on the second occasion, but six starts for this yard so far this year leave plenty to be desired; others safer.

12/1

Form: 324- BF

Last run: 216 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three 7f AW races last year, best RPR when going close the second time; open to progress in handicaps but market may prove best guide to expectations; lacks 2025 practice, unlike her rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:00 Leicester

Darn Hot Mystery

9st 10lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Henry Candy

Best efforts were in maiden/novice company over 7f on the AW last autumn; has been a bit disappointing in handicaps this season, pulling too hard last time; bit to prove.

16/1

4

(1)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

18:50 Lingfield (AW)

Darn Hot Mystery

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Plenty of promise last year over 7f but hasn't kicked on at all in handicaps at about 1m; has to turn a corner, though this could be more her trip.

8/1

7th

5

(4)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Darn Hot Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Promise as a 2yo but she has finished down the field in two handicap runs at around a mile this summer; others appeal more.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.20
Straight Forecast £47.07
Tricast £83.21
Trifecta £115.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Man Of La Mancha

TOPSPEED:

Zarathos

LAMBOURN:

Flagon Dry

The Guardian:

War Howl

RP RATINGS:

Man Of La Mancha

The Times:

Man Of La Mancha

Telegraph:

Man Of La Mancha

Daily Mail:

Man Of La Mancha

D Express:

Man Of La Mancha

Daily Mirror:

Man Of La Mancha

The Sun:

Man Of La Mancha

Daily Record:

Man Of La Mancha

POSTDATA:

Zarathos

NEWMARKET:

Zarathos

The Star:

Zarathos