'It's good money' - Tim Easterby takes on series finale with five-strong squad

Jockey Club Grassroots Series Final Sprint Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | RTV

Punters with a penchant for competitive sprint handicaps should look no further than this series final. Each-way plays are advised, with the starting favourite expected to go off at around the 6-1 mark and certain bookmakers paying as many as six places.

The best place to start may be the draw. Standard small-field sprints at Nottingham usually see the runners come to the stands' side rail but six editions of this race have produced an arrow-shaped pack down the centre, favouring those drawn low to middle. A similar scenario should develop here.

This type of event is bread and butter for trainer Tim Easterby, who is having his best-ever season and is represented by five runners in the 17-strong field.

Jockey bookings would indicate that eight-year-old Flying Pursuit is the number one but the fact David Allan is in the saddle might be a red herring given Duran Fentiman's association with stablemate Ava Go Joe and regular rider Ella McCain maintaining the partnership with the hat-trick-seeking Wade's Magic.

All three hold serious claims, while writing off the prolific East Street Revue or bottomweight Afandem may prove foolish.

Lezardrieux wins last time out over distance in the Sky Bet Sunday Series at HaydockCredit: Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Alongside Wade's Magic the best pieces of recent form are brought into the race by Lezardrieux, who found plenty under pressure to land a similar contest at Haydock last time under 7lb claimer Oisin McSweeney. Grant Tuer enlists another smart apprentice in Ollie Stammers in a bid to complete the three-timer off a 4lb higher mark.

James Doyle's presence aboard Prince Of Bel Lir deserves a second look. The leading rider, who is approaching 100 winners for the season, has an eyecatching 27 per cent strike-rate (18-66) and level-stakes profit at the track in the last five years and is 2-9 (22 per cent) for trainer Joseph Parr.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Grant Tuer, trainer of Lezardrieux
I'm surprised he's topweight in a Class 2 as I'd thought there would be some 90-rated horses in the race. He'll go forward, he wears his heart on his sleeve and only has one style of running. I can only claim 5lb when I claimed 7lb last time, so effectively he is up 6lb which looks high enough for him, but he's in form and is thriving at the moment.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Flying Pursuit, Ava Go Joe, East Street Revue, Wade's Magic and Afandem
Flying Pursuit wants a drop of rain really, which would also benefit Afandem too. Afandem was supposed to run at Hamilton on Monday but we declared him for this as that meeting was called off. It's good money and I wouldn't read too much in the jockey bookings, it's just the way it's worked out.
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club!Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price!

Subscribe now

If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter