Drop In Trip Could Ignite Island At Nottingham

I was absolutely delighted with Crimson Rosette’s run for us at Haydock earlier, and even with a 10% rule 4 we still bagged a nice profit. I was told afterwards she traded at 1/10 in running and I suppose it was a little bit heart wrenching that she couldn’t go on and win after hitting the front a furlong out. I think she just got worried out of it by the winner but she rallied well and wasn’t beaten far at all. Connections were obviously eager to pick up some black type though, and it was mission accomplished on that front for Fellowes.

 

George Wood has a fine record when riding for these connections.

The fare tomorrow is trappy to say the least, but there is a horse going in the 8.5f 3yo handicap at Nottingham that I can’t resist backing each way for small stakes. Heather Main is a trainer that my long time followers will be familiar with and she runs Island Court with George Wood taking the ride. This very well bred son of Camelot has showed glimmers of ability on more than one occasion, and I think today’s trip on good ground could be just what he needs.

Island Cloud’s best effort came in a maiden at Wolverhampton over today’s trip of 8.5f when beaten just 2L in 3rd for former trainer Stan Moore. He had horses now rated in the 80s in behind and it a solid piece of form. He has since moved to Heather Main and she applied a tongue tie for his stable debut. He ran a nice enough race to finish 4th off 72, given too much to do but finishing well.

He was upped in trip for his next two runs at Doncaster on soft and Wolverhampton on the all weather and with cheekpieces applied he ran poorly on both occasions. He didn’t get home at Doncaster over 12f, and his run at Wolverhampton over the same distance was too bad to be true. It is no surprise to see him dropping back in trip now, and the booking of George Wood for the first time catches the eye.

He has an excellent record when riding for Heather Main, and an even better one when riding for Donald Kerr. He has had 14 rides for Main, winning 3 and finishing in the first four on 8. He has ridden three times for owner Donald Kerr with a win, a 2nd and a 3rd. The cheekpieces and tongue tie are discarded, Main has her string in great form and off a mark of 65 I think it is worth chancing at odds of 25/1 that today might be the day that Island Cloud builds on the promise of that excellent maiden run last November.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 2.55 NOTTINGHAM-ISLAND COURT E/W @ 25/1