Raceday LIVE – Sycamore
Related horse(s):
SycamoreSycamore heads back to Nottingham this afternoon looking for his second win in-a-row in the Class 5 Handicap (15:45) over a mile and half a furlong.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Sycamore's lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Sycamore will be looking to keep up the momentum following his battling victory at Nottingham last time out, over the same course and distance he takes on this afternoon. That victory came at the end of June, a day which saw three Coral Racing Club runners take to the track, with both Sycamore and Cast No Shadow heading home victorious on that day. Today bears some similarities to that day, as Sycamore kicks the afternoon off for the club, with Rockstar Icon running later on in the day at Goodwood.
Sycamore impressed under a positive ride from Phil Dennis last time out, who actually retired two weeks ago. Our gelding looked to be outpaced halfway through the contest, but responded incredibly well for pressure and hit the front inside the final furlong. He kept on gamely inside the closing stages to hold off Red Treasure by a neck and Terries Royale, who re-opposes again today.
WATCH: Sycamore and Cast No Shadow land memorable 66/1 double for the Coral Racing Club
Sycamore was due to run three weeks after that victory, but the torrential rain that hit the whole of Britain during the middle of July forced Scott Dixon to pull him out of the race, before the meeting was subsequently abandoned due to the severity of the downpour that hit Nottingham that day.
He came out of the race at Nottingham that he won really well, so it was a shame not to get another run in him at the time. Dixon was happy with the handicapper only putting up two pounds at the time, and the trainer told us at the time that he was fully race fit following that run, so there wasn't much more that needed to be done with him at home in the build-up to his next outing.
Dale Swift takes the reins on our seven-year-old today, the seventh time he's done so, winning once, over a mile at Newcastle, and finishing second twice when onboard, so it's safe to say the partnership is experienced and works well.
The going at Nottingham is currently Good to Firm, and not expected to change prior to racing, which is the same going that Sycamore won over last time, so conditions should suit our gelding this afternoon.
Raceday Message from Scott Dixon
"Sycamore has been fine and well at home since his course and distance win last time, and we're confident he goes there in similar form. He's up two pounds for that victory, which is fair enough, it was a narrow win so had to expect a small rise.
Dale Swift takes over in the saddle from Phil Dennis, he has won on him previously at Newcastle so knows him well.
We're towards the head of the betting, so hopefully that reflects our chance, it was brilliant to get a winner on the board for the Coral Racing Club, and I'm hopeful he can go close again here on what is a big day for you all."
Sycamore's Owners for the Day
As winners of the Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Sycamore's run at Nottingham this afternoon.
Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Nottingham Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Sycamore and the Scott Dixon team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Sycamore.
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £8,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £4,187.20 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,964.80 | 3rd: £981.60 | 4th: £491.20 | 5th: £244.80
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Scott Dixon has been in fair form recently, sending out two winners from 19 runners in the last fortnight. The Southwell based trainer has been in similar form this year on a whole, with 25 winners from 282 runners, with a further 48 of his horses coming home in the places. Dixon hasn't sent many runners to Nottingham this season, with only five making the journey, however it tends to be worthwhile for the trainer, as two of those runners have been victorious. In his career, he's had 13 winners at Nottingham from 133 runners, with 33 other horses finishing either second or third.
Dale Swift has had a similar season, riding ten winners from 114 bookings, with one of those victories coming in the last two weeks for Scott Dixon. He's had three additional winners for Scott Dixon this season, from 40 runners, and a further six placed efforts. Swift has only ridden three times at Nottingham this season, with no victories or places and during his career he's ridden four winners from 85 rides there.
Today's opposition
- Adelabella remains winless after nine runs, but put in her best performance when finishing second by a short head last week over a mile at Nottingham. Darragh Keenan rode her for the first time that day and retains the ride after the positive performance.
- Wonder Smile is another maiden in the field, but has placed four times in his seven runs for in form trainer Hugo Palmer, including a solid third place finish in a higher grade race at Newmarket two starts ago. Kevin Stott heads up to Nottingham for the ride today, having been at Goodwood for the previous two afternoons.
- Terries Royale was last seen finishing two places and half a length behind Sycamore over course and distance. Mick Appleby's gelding is a pound better off in the weights comparative to last time and could reverse the placings. Alistair Rawlinson takes the reins again.
15:45 NOTTINGHAM – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 15:45 to watch Sycamore's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.