Nottingham, Wednesday 8th April 2026 — Good Ground, Eight Races

Nottingham, Wednesday 8th April 2026 — Good Ground, Eight Races

A midweek card at Nottingham on good ground, which is exactly the going you want for horses stretching out in trip for the first time. Three races stand out across the day: both divisions of the opener and the 5:10 handicap to close the turf action. The good ground suits horses with a bit of class, and Nottingham's straight mile-and-a-bit track rewards horses that travel well and stay on. No excuses for any connections today.

1:17 — Ladies Day Novice Stakes Div I (1m2f, Good)

Infraad (Evens, Unibet) is the clear selection here. William Haggas has this horse ready to go, and the step up to 1m2f is the key angle. His debut at Doncaster last October on soft ground was more encouraging than the bare form suggests: he idled behind a winner who was clearly stopping, and the extra yardage today looks an obvious fit for his pedigree and that staying-on run style. Haggas is 2/10 in the past fortnight, which is modest for the yard, but in novice events the Newmarket operation still dominates when they send a horse they fancy. Evens is a fair price rather than a generous one, but the race doesn't look competitive enough to go against him.

The each-way play at a bigger price is Bay Royale Each-Way (11/2, Bet Victor). Harry Eustace is 3/8 in the last 14 days, which is a yard absolutely firing. Bay Royale got tired in the final furlong on debut over 8.3f here in October, which is the most encouraging thing you can say about a horse going 1m2f for the first time. He's an Irish Derby entry, so connections clearly see plenty of potential. The 11/2 on offer reflects some uncertainty, but Eustace's form stats and the obvious step-up angle make him a legitimate place play at minimum.

Director's Cut at 6/1 (Bet365) gets a mention too. The Gosdens are 2/10 in the last fortnight, but that winner at Newcastle where he finished fastest of all over 1m, beating 11 rivals, is solid form for this grade. The penalty stiffens the task, and the jockey claim from Luke Catton claws some of that back. He's the one most likely to run Infraad close.

1:47 — Ladies Day Novice Stakes Div II (1m2f, Good)

Olympic Charter (13/8, Bet365) is the Charlie Appleby debut runner and he deserves serious respect. The stable is 3/9 in novice races this year, so they're not blindly throwing horses at these contests. His pedigree is spectacular for this trip: half-brother to Flying Honours (Group 3 winner over 7f-1m2f) and Beautiful Love (US Grade 3 winner at a mile-plus). The dam won at Group 3 level over 1m1f. Everything about the breeding screams that 1m2f on good ground at Nottingham is made for him, and Appleby doesn't travel horses for fun at midweek fixtures.

The danger is Tornado Tower (7/2, Bet365). That pedigree is extraordinary: full brother to Hurricane Lane, who won the Irish Derby, French Derby and St Leger. An 850,000gns yearling making his debut deserves maximum respect, and the Gosden yard know how to produce a horse fresh. At 7/2, he might be the value pick over Olympic Charter if you think the Godolphin runner has been slightly over-bet. Both are genuine contenders, but Olympic Charter gets the nod based on the trainer's current strike rate in this specific race type.

Knightsail Each-Way at 4/1 (Betfred) is worth an each-way saver. David Menuisier's record of 0/4 in the last fortnight is concerning, but the horse ran to an RPR of 79 when third at Goodwood, which would be competitive here. The step back up to 1m2-plus is described as a good move, and he's a 125,000gns Camelot who should be finishing his races off better this year.

5:10 — Watch Racing TV Handicap (1m2f, Good)

Just An Hour Each-Way (6/1, Bet365 or William Hill) is the bet in this race and the most interesting angle on the card. This horse won over the course and distance last April at 3/1, on good ground, on his reappearance. He then ran consistently throughout the season, winning three times in total, and he's coming back after 166 days off. The critical point: he did exactly this last year. Reappeared in April, won over C&D. He's on a mark of 98, still within reach of that winning mark, and Rod Millman gets horses fit first time out. The form says 44424 last season, which is a model of consistency. Good ground at Nottingham again. This is the horse and the race.

Cavolo Nero (7/2, Betfred) is the market leader and deserves his place at the head of affairs. James Ferguson is 2/6 in the last fortnight, which is a red-hot yard right now, and the horse's second at Kempton last month showed he's come back from his winter break in good nick. He's unchanged on his mark and the step to 1m2f suits. This is a live favourite, but at 7/2 versus 6/1 about Just An Hour, the each-way angle on the latter offers better value.

Jez Bomb at 15/2 (Bet Victor) is the dark horse. Four wins in 2024 and four more between April and October 2025 tells you this horse knows how to win. He's been placed in Class 4 since then and is stepping back onto turf after a Wolverhampton run that clearly didn't go his way. Sam England's yard is 1/15 in the last fortnight, which is a cold stat, but the horse's profile is hard to dismiss entirely at the price.

Today's NAP