Nottingham, Tuesday 20 May 2026 — Tips & Previews

Nottingham, Tuesday 20 May 2026 — Tips & Previews

A six-race card at Nottingham on good ground, and there is genuine interest across the three featured races. The going suits horses who move well through the ground rather than those who need cut, and the novice races in particular throw up some intriguing angles. Let us get into it.

2:20 — £9 Racedays At Nottingham Novice Stakes (1m½f)

Selection: Adamlyi (4/5, Boyle Sports / Betfred)

William Haggas has been in excellent nick over the past fortnight, firing at a 12/47 clip, and Adamlyi looks the obvious beneficiary here. The Kingman colt was still green on his reappearance at Yarmouth over a mile on good to firm, yet he went agonisingly close, and here is the kicker: the horse who beat him came out and won a Newbury handicap at the weekend, giving the form a significant boost. That is a strong piece of form collateral in what is essentially a novice event.

Runman is the danger. Two from two for Gosden, won going away at Epsom last time and carries a double penalty. He is not to be dismissed, but at 9/4 you are paying for a horse carrying extra weight in unfamiliar territory, and Adamlyi at odds-on with the form boost makes more appeal at the prices.

Lean d’Aislingean is an interesting newcomer by Ghaiyyath with a pedigree that suggests he will get this trip, but debutants at 10/1 in these fields need everything to go right. The market will tell you more before the off.

Verdict: Adamlyi to deliver the form. Good ground suits, Haggas is firing, and the Yarmouth form is now properly franked.

2:50 — Family Fun Raceday Sunday 31st May Novice Stakes (1m2f)

Selection: Bay Royale (5/4, Boyle Sports / Betfred)

This is a fascinating clash between Bay Royale and Knights Charge, two lightly-raced colts both improving on their previous runs. The key detail that tips it for me is course form: Bay Royale has run both his races at Nottingham, and won here over this exact trip, this exact going, six weeks ago. He built on his juvenile effort and won comfortably. He is an Irish Derby entry, Harry Eustace’s yard is ticking along at 2/10 in the last 14 days, and the horse clearly handles this track and this ground well.

Knights Charge won easily at Lingfield, drawing five lengths clear, and Roger Varian is always worth respecting at 4/18 in the last fortnight. But both his runs have been on the all-weather. The jump to good turf is an unknown. Bay Royale has already answered every question about this surface and this course.

Cloud Forest is the Godolphin runner making his debut at four, a Blue Point half-brother with an interesting pedigree. Saeed bin Suroor is 2/4 recently and the advice is to heed market signals. The market currently says 4/1, which is not disrespectful, but you want more than a pedigree note when taking on a horse with proven course form.

Verdict: Bay Royale under his 7lb penalty. Course specialist on the right ground, and that counts for plenty.

3:50 — Events And Hospitality At Nottingham Racecourse Handicap (1m½f)

Selection: Capichera (15/8, Boyle Sports / Betfred)

Nine runners, nine different stories, but Capichera stands out on form quality. Ed Walker’s filly is three times raced and her latest effort was a creditable third in a mile maiden at the Craven meeting at Newmarket, behind a rival who has been Listed-placed since. That is strong form for a handicap like this. She appears to hold a workable opening mark and is bred to improve further.

Walker’s recent 14-day figures are modest at 3/31, which is the one note of caution. But the horse herself is progressive and the form line is robust. Oisin Murphy picks up the ride on Rosa Inglesa for Charlie Fellowes at 4/1, and Murphy’s presence is always worth noting, but the Fellowes yard is running at 1/14 recently and Rosa Inglesa’s form does not obviously outshine Capichera’s.

North Force Each-Way at 4/1 is worth a small each-way investment for those wanting coverage. The Fahey yard has been busy and consistent at 8/55, four placed efforts tell you he runs his race every time, and the step up from northern tracks could suit a horse finding his feet in handicaps.

Chapter is interesting but the spotlight note is a red flag: his two pieces of handicap form came on heavy ground, he was withdrawn at his intended reappearance because the going was good, and he has only been gelded since. The ground question is real.

Verdict: Capichera at 15/8 to handle the step into handicap company with her Newmarket form giving her a genuine advantage at the weights.

Today’s NAP