Nottingham Racecourse stages an exciting seven-race Flat turf programme on Sunday, 31 May, featuring a blend of maiden contests, handicaps and a valuable Class 3 feature worth £25,000. With races catering to juveniles, developing three-year-olds and experienced campaigners, the meeting promises a fascinating afternoon of racing action.
The card gets underway at 2:20pm with The Bear’s Big Birthday EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes, a Class 5 contest over six furlongs and 18 yards for two-year-olds. Carrying prize money of £8,000, the race offers young horses the opportunity to begin their careers on a competitive stage. Early-season juvenile contests often reveal future stars, making this an intriguing opening event.
At 2:50pm, three-year-olds take centre stage in The Construction Day 14th October Handicap Stakes, a Class 6 contest over one mile and 87 yards. Restricted to horses rated between 46 and 65, the race offers £8,000 in prize money and should provide a closely matched contest as lightly raced runners continue their development.
The third race of the afternoon arrives at 3:20pm with The When You Wish Upon A Star Restricted Maiden Stakes, a Class 4 event over one mile and 87 yards. Worth £10,000, the race is open to horses aged three to five and provides another opportunity for promising performers to secure a breakthrough success. Several runners are expected to arrive with solid form and the step up in distance could prove decisive.
Sprint specialists come into focus at 3:55pm in The Wildwest Beer Festival 4th July Fillies’ Handicap Stakes. This Class 4 contest over five furlongs and eight yards carries prize money of £14,000 and is restricted to fillies rated between 66 and 85. Nottingham’s sprint course often rewards both speed and tactical awareness, setting the stage for a competitive dash to the line.
The staying division is represented at 4:25pm in The Dine In Sherwoods Restaurant Handicap Stakes, a Class 5 race over one mile, six furlongs and 24 yards. With £12,500 on offer, the contest provides an important opportunity for established stayers to showcase their stamina. The extended trip and Nottingham’s long straight frequently combine to produce dramatic finishes.
The feature race of the meeting comes at 4:55pm with The British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, the richest race on the card with a prize fund of £25,000. Run over one mile, two furlongs and 62 yards, the Class 3 contest has attracted a quality field of fillies and mares rated between 71 and 90.
Top weight carries a mark of 86 for trainer Alan King and arrives with the highest official rating in the field. Course-and-distance winner Shady Bay returns following a recent victory and could prove a major contender despite stepping into stronger company. The Tom Ward-trained mare has shown an affinity for Nottingham and arrives in winning form.
Among the younger generation, Lady Dora Mae brings consistent recent form after recording three victories from her last six starts. The George Boughey-trained filly arrives on the back of another strong performance and remains one of the progressive runners in the field.
Dunkeld Dreamer represents the powerful K. R. Burke stable and has maintained a high level of consistency this season. The three-year-old has regularly been competitive in similar company and looks capable of another prominent showing.
Recent winner Silken Bay adds further depth to the contest. The filly has continued to progress for trainers Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole and remains relatively unexposed compared with some of her rivals.
Lightly raced Sharp Romance enters the race after finishing second on her latest appearance and may have further improvement to come, while Bearin Up arrives in good heart after a recent success and could be another capable of making her presence felt in a highly competitive line-up.
With a blend of proven performers, progressive fillies and course specialists, the feature race appears one of the most compelling contests on the Nottingham programme and should provide a fitting highlight to the afternoon.
The meeting concludes at 5:25pm with The £9 Racedays At Nottingham Racecourse Handicap Stakes, a Class 5 contest over one mile and 87 yards worth £12,500. Open to horses aged four and above rated between 56 and 75, the race offers a competitive finale to the day’s proceedings and another opportunity for connections to leave Nottingham with a winner.
Overall, Sunday’s Nottingham fixture combines quality and variety, featuring races for emerging talent and seasoned handicappers alike. The £25,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap Stakes stands out as the marquee event, but every race on the card offers its own storylines and competitive intrigue. Racegoers can look forward to an entertaining afternoon of Flat racing at one of Britain’s most popular tracks.
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