Saturday Horse Racing Predictions by Stephen Harris at Nottingham and Haydock

Tom Clover is a young trainer to very much follow over the next few seasons, and his consistent 4-y-o filly often shaped well in defeat last summer in fair handicap company. This Nottingham sprint on fast ground should be her optimum conditions first time out under the talented 3lb claimer Connor Planas, and he will be looking to weave his way through late and fast in this big field (with plenty of trailblazers in the line up to set things up for his customary late charge).

Harriet Bethell has her small team in terrific form at the moment, with 3 winners from her last 7 runners in the past fortnight, and her battle hardened handicapper could be at a fitness advantage over most of these rivals. He has a terrific strike rate overall on the turf, winning 7 of his 30 starts (including over this demanding course and distance), and posted a cracking effort in defeat when second in the mud at Pontefract last time out. Regular rider Cam Hardie is again in the plate, and he will be looking to assert late up the long Nottingham straight.

Ed Bethell’s unexposed 3-y-o was not seen to best effect when heavily backed on handicap debut here last time out (dropped out in a poor position initially and never landing a blow on ground that was probably too soft), and he remains with plenty of upside in this sphere after just four career starts. Much more positive tactics are on the cards from Callum Rodriguez, with the step up in trip to 1m2f looks a definite positive on drying ground back at Haydock on Saturday.