Outre Mer, Esteaming and Pivotman among Nottingham tips

This David Barron trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing a 1m 2f contest on soft ground at Newcastle back in April 2014 off a mark of 85.

However, Esteaming has run a number of solid races to make the frame off higher marks, including when runner-up at Haydock off 91 and a fine third of 22 to Litigant in last year’s November Handicap at Doncaster off 88.

The latter is an ultra-competitive class 2 contest and Esteaming is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair off the same mark as when last successful.

It gives the six-year-old a big chance on the pick of his form, especially as he has a strike rate of 37.5 per cent in the grade having won three times and been placed twice in eight starts

Well-treated Pivotman worth a punt

Pivotman shaped far better than the bare result last time out, and can capitalise on a huge drop in the weights to score an overdue success in the 1m 2f handicap that brings proceedings to a close (17:00).

The Mick Easterby trained eight-year-old is on a losing run of 19 having not scored since landing an amateur riders’ contest on the polytrack surface at Kempton back in January 2015 off a mark of 78.

However, the veteran has run well to make the frame on several occasions, including when third at Wolverhampton last year off 80 and a fine second on seasonal reappearance at Pontefract off 70.

Pivotman is now able to race off a reduced rating of just 63, 15lb lower than when last successful on the all-weather and 2lb lower than his last winning turf mark.

It gives the gelding outstanding claims from a handicapping perspective, and he hinted that his time was near last time out when fourth at Carlisle.

Jockey Paul Mulrennan gave him a terrible ride when setting off in front like a scalded cat, and not surprisingly Pivotman looked a spent force entering the final furlong on what is a very stiff track.

It was to his credit that he bravely stuck on well on to beaten just over two lengths and, with Nathan Evans now taking over in the saddle, a more conservative ride can see Pivotman get his head back in front.

Nottingham tips for October 5th

13.30: Houndstooth
14.00: Dark Power
14.30: Blue Suede
15.00: Stradivarius
15.30: Outre Mer (NAP)
16.00: Snappy Guest
16.30: Esteaming (E/W)
17.00: Pivotman (NB)

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