Today's Horse Racing Tips: Back Two big-priced runners at Nottingham

In non-Covid times, this would be one of my favourite days of the year to go racing. The opening day of the season at my local track, Nottingham. The Listed Further Flight Stakes is the feature race, but there is a competitive supporting card including a fascinating novice stakes to start the afternoon. King Of Change won the last renewal before going on to finish runner up in the 2000 Guineas and then land the Group 1 QEII Stakes. The winner may well be one to keep an eye on.

Nottingham Tips

14:40 – 1m½f MansionBet Beaten By A Head Handicap (Class 5)

PLYMOUTH ROCK (NAP – 1 point win bet at 20/1) has twice changed hands for a six-figure sum, including when purchased by the powerful Coolmore partnership prior to making his racecourse debut. John Quinn was the chosen trainer and he managed to win two races with this son of Starspangledbanner before he was sold to join David Loughnane. Both wins came on turf - over seven furlongs and then a mile - and he has now dropped back down to his last winning mark. He finished second on his only previous visit to Nottingham and can be forgiven his disappointing stable debut back in December as something looked to be amiss. In form jockey Rossa Ryan takes the ride and his mount will wear first-time blinkers, which could be an important factor given that he won when fitted with a visor for the first time. Straitouttacompton, who has won his last two starts on the All-Weather, is the biggest danger.

15:10 – 5f MansionBet Watch And Bet Handicap (Class 4)

READY FREDDIE GO (1 point win bet at 16/1) enjoyed a good juvenile campaign, winning two and being placed in another two of his six starts. His Musselburgh victory in July came in really good style and saw him go clear by almost five lengths before he followed up on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton. He wasn’t disgraced when finishing fourth in a higher grade when last seen and he’s been dropped 1lb by the handicapper. For both wins, he went from the front and responded well to pressure. With a good draw in stall 8 today and the booking of the excellent Paul Mulrennan, another bold bid is expected. Night Narcissus, representing the Clive Cox/Adam Kirby team, and Shalaa Asker, fit from a recent run on the All-Weather, complete the shortlist.