The Persuader, who ran in a really hot race at York last time, can take full advantage of a drop in grade in division one of the East Midlands Construction Raceday Maiden over a mile-and-a-quarter at Nottingham.

Mark Johnston's colt, who holds an entry in next year's Derby, finished last of the four runners that day, but Governor Brown, the winner, went on to win a Group 3 at Newmarket on his next outing. Runner-up Dubai Lightning did his bit for the form when winning a competitive Lingfield maiden and third-placed Desert Star took his maiden in impressive style at Newmarket before being allowed to take his chance in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes back at Headquarters last weekend.

Johnston's runner really takes the eye and, as he's a son of Champion sire Sadlers' Wells, then it will be no surprise to see him relish the easier underfoot conditions this afternoon.

Start Over, who also comes here on the back of a fair run at York, could be the one to be on in the Freethcartwright Handicap over a mile and-a-quarter.

The three-year-old, who is proven in testing conditions, stays this trip well and he is almost certainly a little better than the bare form of his latest run would suggest.

On that occasion he fared the best of those who raced up with the strong pace and he deserves plenty of credit for getting over early enough from his wide draw.

Ed Dunlop's horses have been in good form of late and his Bailieborough makes a fair bit of appeal in the Dart Handicap over a mile.

Admittedly the gelding hasn't won for over a year, but he's been running well in some fair handicaps this term - including in a most competitive race at Newmarket last time - and he has form on easy ground.

He's well drawn in stall two and, if the first time visor has the desired effect, it would be no surprise to see this consistent sort give a good account in this lower grade.

Bricks And Porter, who has his first run in this country and who has the tongue tie back on for the first time since his only win, looks an interesting runner in the Welcome To Nottingham Racecourse Novice Auction Stakes over six furlongs.

His Irish form may leave him with a bit to find with a couple of these rivals, but he revels in the soft ground so he'll be one of the few who should be at home in today's conditions.

Shane Kelly is a very interesting booking and the combination are taken to beat Cormorant Wharf, who created a favourable impression when winning over this trip at Windsor on fast ground on his debut.

The jumps season is still taking a bit of time to warm up, but over at Chepstow, Brockton Mist is interesting over fences for the first time in the Now I Really Am A Pensioner Birthday Novices Chase over three miles

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