Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-70 handicap but preference goes to the Mark Walford-trained ZUMURUD (best priced at 7/1) who has run well on both of his previous starts at Nottingham. The seven-year-old finished a neck second here in 2019 off a mark of 77 before taking advantage of a career-low mark to win over this course and distance 13 days ago. The gelding had previously struggled off higher marks but finished a close 3rd off a mark of 67 before winning last time off a mark of 63.

The handicapper has raised Zumurud 4lbs for his success but that is deserved as he won comfortably by two lengths at the finish wearing a visor for the first time since November. The same headgear is applied here and I expect Zumurud to be involved in the finish despite going back up in class.

The Charlie Appleby trained NEW LONDON (best priced at 2/1) was a winning selection for us last time at Newmarket on his handicap debut but he won that in the style of a group performer that this step back in class doesn’t appear a concern. The three-year-old son of Dubawi won his only start as a juvenile before making an impressive winning return in a novice race under a penalty at Newmarket. He was sent off 4/11 for the Group 3 Chester Vase but he failed to handle the track and was eventually beaten by Changingoftheguard who has since boosted that form with a victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

It was only a handicap that New London won last time but he did it in impressive style off a mark of 99 resulting in him going out 10lbs to a rating of 109. That puts him only second behind Derby 2nd Hoo Ya Mal on ratings but with that rival facing question marks following a change of connections, preference instead goes to New London who I feel will prove hard to beat under William Buick.

I thought the Nassau Staked would be a ‘no bet’ race this year with NASHWA (best priced at EVENS) only being available at odds on for the previous few weeks. The John & Thady Gosden trained filly is weak in the market and at current prices I feel happy to back her. Three-year-olds have a good recent record in the race with five wins from the previous seven renewals including both Wild Illusion and Minding who both came here having either won or placed in the Oaks.

Nashwa won her first two starts this season before finishing 3rd in the Oaks when appearing to be outstayed over the 1m4f trip. Connections dropped her back to 1m2 for the French Oaks only two weeks later where she showed a fantastic attitude to win by a short neck at the finish. If she runs up to her rating of 114 in receipt of her age allowance then she will be extremely hard to beat and I expect Hollie Doyle to continue her excellent year so far.