Nottingham

2.35 1m6f Class 5 Handicap – Moon King 11/8

2 from 2 since the gelding operation and step up in trip to 1m6f and only raised 4lbs since last victory where the race wasn’t run to suit but still won with plenty in hand, the form of the race is very strong with the 4th & 5th winning NTO and the 6th & 7th finishing a respectful 2nd in their races since. His 2 wins came around Wetherby and the Nottingham course is similar with easy turns and going left handed, again there’s no real pace in the race which isn’t ideal, but with the strongest form and clearly progressive his class should see him through. Harry Bentley is back in the saddle who rides Nottingham well and has a great 21% strike rate at the course the last 5 years and is in good recent form, trainer and boss Ralph Beckett is also in great recent form and has a positive LSP at the course the last 5 seasons.

Ripon

8.00 6f Class 3 Handicap – Quick Look 7/1

It always pays to be drawn stands side at Ripon especially pays in larger fields, there’s a couple to take from this race, the pace setter Bossipop from stall 12 who should get his own way upfront and Quick Look who perhaps is a bit better handicapped, he won the Class 2 Silver Trophy Handicap over C&D in August off this mark, has struggled since off higher marks but now back on a winning mark and did take the eye LTO with a strong finish in a big class 2 York Handicap on ground not so favourable and now possibly over a trip that’s on the sharp side. Today a return to a more suitable surface on a track his done his best work, on a good mark, has a good draw and back up in trip are all big pluses and should be thereabouts if he gets the splits up the stands rail.

Kempton

8.15 2m Class 4 Handicap – Sassie 13/2

Eye catching run on slow ground LTO while crying out for further, she finished a good close 3rd well in front of a good sized field, she was a little outpaced where it mattered and this 2 mile trip where she recorded her last victory is key to seeing her best, a return to Kempton too is also where she last won and was a good form race is also a big plus along with Oisin Murphy taking the reigns who is in excellent recent form and having a great season.

Russell Blair Racing