UK Horse Racing Tips: Nottingham

Granted that he dwelt and was hampered at the start, before the jockey briefly dropped the reins when he hit the front towards the finish, LEADING TIMES did well to make a winning debut at Southwell in September. With that experience to draw upon, the son of Blue Point could be well placed to cope with a 7lb penalty on this switch to turf. Donald, Harry Mole and Optimistic are the pick of the modest-looking opposition, in that order of preference.
Prediction : 1st Leading Times 2nd Donald 3rd Harry Mole

There were shoots of a revival from TIRIAC when he finished fourth over course and distance 13 days ago and, nudged down 1lb, he could be worth chancing from 10lb below his last winning mark. Wichahpi (runner-up) got first run on the selection in that race also warrants serious consideration with the forecast ground sure to suit. Edgewater Drive also appeals, despite picking up a 5lb penalty for last week's track-and-trip win. Spoof and Secret Mistral are the pick of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Tiriac 2nd Wichahpi 3rd Edgewater Drive

RUSSIAN RUMOUR is a previous course winner who gets on well with today's rider and is very capable of making this a good test, despite being hit with a 7lb rise for his last-time-out victory over 2m at Ffos Las. Maxident was also successful at the same venue most recently and should have few issues stepping back up a couple of furlongs here. The hat-trick seeking Trojan Sun and fellow-last time course winner Dreams Adozen also hold solid credentials.
Prediction : 1st Russian Rumour 2nd Maxident 3rd Trojan Sun

Having filled the runner-up spot on his final start for Aidan O'Brien at Navan a fortnight ago, LORD BYRON ticks plenty of the right boxes on his stable bow. Now under the tutelage of Faye Bramley, a similar performance may see the three-year-old opening his account at the third time of asking. Requisite should find this easier than handicap company and rates as the biggest danger, ahead of the potential improver Sharp Move.
Prediction : 1st Lord Byron 2nd Requisite 3rd Sharp Move

The hat-trick seeking Alpine Stroll must enter calculations after landing the spoils at Newbury and, more recently, over C&D. The veteran isn't taken lightly, but a 4lb penalty and rise in grade could be enough to thwart him, with the down-in-class NORTHWEST PASSAGE getting the call. The three-year-old found only a progressive rival too strong at Newbury recently and a 5lb higher mark may prove workable. Tele Red and Austrian Theory are others of interest.
Prediction : 1st Northwest Passage 2nd Alpine Stroll 3rd Tele Red

LOUIE THE LEGEND won off this mark over C&D in July and proved himself on testing ground when beaten a neck here last time. That was a fine effort in defeat and a repeat of that performance may suffice for the son of Make Believe. Valkyrja has stepped forward on her most recent outings, while Dinah Myte is a threat to all having relished heavy conditions at Ffos Las in September.
Prediction : 1st Louie The Legend 2nd Valkyrja 3rd Dinah Myte

Johnny Boom returned from over a year off the track to score at Leicester last week and he appears likely to confirm his superiority over Fiddlers Green, who finished third. Ephyra is unexposed over staying trips and remains on the same mark as when second at Kempton in January, but DIFFERENT DRUM might be the answer. Pipped off just 2lb lower over 2m1f at Carlisle in July, the four-year-old is unlikely to be bothered by conditions.
Prediction : 1st Different Drum 2nd Johnny Boom 3rd Ephyra