Nottingham - Tue 11 Aug 2026
Time For The Moon has come up short in a couple of Listed contests, including the Chesham, since bolting up at Musselburgh in June and only faces the one rival on his nursery debut. APULIA BAY is expected to get the better of him, though, because he kept on really strongly to finish a narrow second at Beverley and can find further progress now upped in trip.
A case can be made for any of the three, but punters should keep the faith with BLESSED VOYAGER. Ralph Beckett's gelding found one too strong under the winner's penalty at Thirsk but he already holds a lofty rating of 89, which looks a tall order for Jeyoush on his racecourse bow. Baddaddan made a pleasing start at Newbury and is expected to be the main threat.
FREE WORLD was mightily impressive when attempting 2m for the first time at Catterick and with the likelihood of more to come, Ian Williams' gelding is fancied to shoulder a penalty en route to further success. Hope Rising is better known for her hurdling exploits but she gained a maiden win on the level over an extended 1m3f at Lingfield and must be taken seriously. Joanna Hiffernan is also noted.
Beauty Generation and Midnight Media both recorded wins last month and will rightfully prove popular, but it might be worth taking a chance on DIANE CHASSERESSE. Owen Burrows' filly failed to make an impact in novice/maiden company, but she's a half-sister to the same connections smart stayer Alfred Boucher and improvement is expected now that she is afforded a step up in trip.
MOULIN BOOJ has been working his way back into form of late and he bumped into a well-handicapped rival when second at Thirsk. The son of Sioux Nation is competitively treated himself and the notable booking of Tom Marquand suggests that this could be his day. Grandlad made all to score over C&D in April and he's back on that same mark having posted a couple of below-par runs elsewhere, whilst it wouldn't come as a surprise to see a better performance from Forager, who struggled on her seasonal return at Goodwood.
Two of Thunderous Love's six career wins have come over C&D and she looks to hold strong claims, having gone close at Salisbury, but perhaps they aren't as strong as Epsom winner SUGAR SUGAR. Jack Channon's three-year-old was making her handicap debut on that occasion and a subsequent 2lb rise is unlikely to halt further progress. Melissa Honey can chase the pair home.
APULIA BAY sets a good standard on her latest runner up effort on fast ground. He's bred to relish this longer trip so can defeat his sole rival Time For The Moon a previous 7f winner who has been outclassed at Listed level on his last couple of outings.
BLESSED VOYAGER should be up to defying a penalty. His debut victory is working out extremely well and his latest runner up effort has also been franked. He's bred to get further in time so it would be no surprise to see him ridden positively and lead home Baddaddan who finished well from a poor position first time out. Jeyoush was an expensive purchase and his yard has been in flying form including with its newcomers so isn't ruled out either.
This can be dominated by those at the top of the weights. FREE WORLD benefitted from a positive ride combined with a step up to staying trips when a ready winner last time. He's only 5lb higher and open to further improvement as a stayer so gets the verdict. Joanna Hiffernan has proven consistent in her short career and could improve for the step up in trip. She is feared most for a top stable while dual purpose performer Hope Rising is also respected. She was a winner from the front off 5lb lower over 12f last time and her hurdles form suggests this distance will bring out more.
Bradbury completed a double earlier in the summer and was a touch unlucky last time after meeting a trouble at a key stage. He will appreciate the step up in trip so holds obvious claims but it might be worth taking a chance with the unexposed DIANE CHASSERESSE. She looks well treated on her best novice form and the way she finished off her race last time suggested that this extra distance may help. Beauty Generation arrives in good form and remains well treated on his old efforts while not being fully exposed at 10f so also holds a chance.
MOULIN BOOJ arrives on his last winning mark and has been in good form of late. He will be suited by the fast ground and his jockey booking suggests a big run is expected. He can get the better of inconsistent C&D winner Grandlad who is worth forgiving his latest effort as he went too fast. The inconsistent Mesaafi has been inconsistent of late but he's just 1lb above last winning mark and can run better than he did last time with a clear passage.
SUGAR SUGAR took advantage of a lenient opening mark last time and is only 2lb higher here so a strong selection. She is ideally suited by 6f on fast ground and should have too much for Thunderous Love who hinted at a revival last time. The C&D winner is now 8lb below her last winning mark so looks an obvious threat. Come On Eibhlin hasn't looked the easiest ride but will appreciate the drop in trip and has tumbled down the weights so isn't ruled out either.
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