Timeform Daily: Wednesday 3 June, Nottingham, 3:40

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 02 June 2009 / Leave a Comment

Of the 11 runners, only Saffron's Son is proven at the trip, so it's a case of sorting out the improvers from the non-stayers, says Timeform.

Taste The Wine has to enter the equation under a penalty, while Golden Games shouldn't be written off yet, but Lombok has appeared to be crying out for a stiffer test of stamina and can come good now he gets it here.

Blue Tango was runner-up in an all-weather nursery off a 7 lb higher mark last November, but he has offered little in three outings this term and stamina is a big doubt upped again in trip.

Clippity Clop won a weak maiden at Southwell on his debut and only made late headway when down the field in a one-and-a-quarter mile handicap next time, but he was still green that day and its too soon to write him off. He is not bred for this longer trip, though.

Lombok is a well-related colt who showed ability when fifth at Doncaster on his reappearance. He has been well held both starts since though; looking one paced, but should still do better now he's sent over this trip.

Am I Blue stayed on well when fourth at Bath on her reappearance, and no surprise she was unsuited by a drop in trip on her next outing. She looks fairly treated for her handicap debut and there should be better to come over this extra half mile.

Melange showed vast improvement when landing an all-weather maiden in April, but he has been unable to match that form in turf handicaps since. There are also stamina doubts at this longer trip.

Taste The Wine bounced back from an inauspicious run on fibresand when winning a 17-runner handicap at Chepstow last week. He stays one-and-a-half miles well and has claims under a 6-lb penalty if handling the extra distance.

Just Dan was no better than seventh in maidens last autumn, although he was well-backed on his final start. Both fitness and stamina have to be taken on trust here following a six month absence.

Golden Games is a half-sister to stablemates Eglevski and Downhiller. She has shown some promise in maidens, and excuses can be made for both starts in handicaps this spring. It will be disappointing if she can't figure off a mark of just 55.

Saffron's Son is a maiden who raised his game when visored and given a chance to tackle this trip at Redcar last week, beaten into third behind Bollin Judith. He is 1 lb out of the handicap here.

Mountain Forest is a half-brother to several winners and was not cheap, however he showed nothing in maidens last autumn and was beaten a long way on his handicap debut on his return.

Suitably Accoutred was no better than eighth in her five starts to date and looks up against it on that evidence from 4 lb out of the handicap, though there is some hope that the longer trip will help. Her dam and half-sister were both two mile winners.