Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday August 16

We believe that the unexposed Odeliz can show that she is a well-handicapped filly in the extended ten-furlong handicap (15:00) at Nottingham. Unraced as a juvenile, Odeliz was unable to make an impression on debut at Haydock but she showed improved form to get off the mark at the second time of asking, staying on powerfully in the closing stages to land a strong maiden at this course. She wasn't seen to best effect on her handicap bow at Yarmouth, held up in a race where the winner received an enterprising ride from the front, and she arguably did well to finish a close-up second. Odeliz is capable of better and should be backed to return to winning ways.

The feature race on Friday is the St Hugh Stakes (15:55), a five-furlong listed contest at Newbury, where Lilbourne Lass is taken to make up for her unfortunate defeat in the valuable Super Sprint at the same venue last month. Richard Hannon's charge was a well fancied favourite in that competitive two-year-old event, but a low draw left her rather isolated and, having travelled powerfully in the lead, she was overhauled late on. A subsequent success in a three-runner minor event at long odds-on proved that she remains in good heart and Richard Hannon's speedy filly should go close this afternoon.

John Gosden's horses are in excellent heart at present and Nautilus can provide his in-form handler with another victory in the 19:35 at Newmarket this evening. The well-bred Nautilus had failed to make an impression in maidens but the switch to handicap company and the application of cheekpieces seemed to elicit some improvement, leading to him finishing a good second here last week. It was noticeable how he appeared to settle better last time and he holds strong claims of going one place better. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Odeliz @ 3.8514/5 in the 15:00 at Nottingham
Back Lilbourne Lass @ 3.211/5 in the 15:55 at Newbury
Back Nautilus @ 3.1511/5 in the 19:35 at Newmarket

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