Nottingham free racing tips: Improving types can challenge vulnerable favourite

17:00 Nottingham: Good Luck and Farewell Sam McNamara Handicap (1 mile 75 yards)

The early favourite, Temper Trap, goes well on this type of ground but he looks a bit short from a wide draw given that he is 7lbs above his top winning mark and his two recent wins were over the shorter seven-furlong trip.

A far better-value option is Johnjay, who returned from a break to finish fourth of 13 in a stronger-looking 0-67 contest at Bath three weeks ago.

As the well-backed 9/4 favourite, he was held up at the back of the field, allowing the eventual front pair to grab first run on him, leaving Johnjay a length short of the places.

Johnjay can be expected to come on again for the run and he will be fresh for the time of year with connections keeping him rested in wait for his preferred testing ground.

Best Bet : Johnjay each-way in the 17:00 at Nottingham

Earlier this season, Johnjay showed that he is better than this grade at his best, finishing runner-up of 13 in a higher-graded Class 5 handicap at Newbury, where he was again the heavily-backed favourite for that stronger handicap which he contested off a mark of 64, which was 3lbs higher than here.

On ground not as deep as he would have preferred, he was just beaten for finishing speed, but everything is in place today and Roger Teal’s four-year-old arrives in good shape and still fresh, so he looks a good bet.

Of the others, Ring Of Gold could out-run his big early prices on his return from a break, and although he is yet to win on turf, he has been placed several times in higher grade affairs than this.

He twice placed in Class 4 handicaps at Beverley last season, when he was 10-11lbs higher than he is now, and was last seen finishing fourth, but less than a length behind the winner, in a Class 5 handicap at Carlisle.

Conditions there were again quicker than he would prefer, so he looks of interest here on more suitable ground, and carrying a pound less in Class 6 company.

Next Best Bet: Ring Of Gold each-way in the 17:00 at Nottingham

• Preview and tips provided Steve Jones, who runs CD Systems Daily Bargain on Tipstrr