Nottingham 2:33 Result

Urban Warrior holds top weight but for good reason - OR57 is clearly the best rating in this weak Class 6 contest, a good 3lb+ clear of the next best. Form figures 443315 show consistent placing and a recent win, with the sequence of thirds and a 1 suggesting he's finding his form at the right time. The step up to this longer 2m2f trip combined with first-time/recent cheekpieces (p) look designed to help him settle and finish his race better - stayers' trips often suit progressive sorts switched to blinkers/cheekpieces as it is here. Stuart Williams is a shrewd handler who knows how to place horses to win off a fair mark, and Marco Ghiani is a strong booking for a yard that targets these small-field handicaps. The rest of the field are moderate: Sir Griflet (OR54) is interesting with a tongue-tie but his form figures (004336) are modest and he's yet to really land a race. Al's River (OR56) is also solid but his best form looks to be over shorter and the dash to 2m2f is unproven. Given Urban Warrior's rating advantage, recent winning effort, suitable headgear change and the engagement of a classy trainer/jockey combo, he looks the one to beat. The extra weight is a concern but with this little depth in the field, class and official rating usually tell in a race like this.