After a fruitless 2025, Theme Park has turned things around this term. The Nigel Tinkler-trained six-year-old landed a one-mile handicap at Doncaster on July 23, beating Chilly Breeze by a length and a quarter.
Under a 5lb penalty at his next start last Thursday, he took on Great Blasket, who was sent off the well-backed 8-13 favourite on his first run for the in-form James Owen. With only four opponents, the market leader lived up to expectations with a three-and-three-quarter-length victory, while Theme Park and Faye McManoman stayed on to finish second.
On the face of it, Theme Park was put in his place, but Great Blasket may find success addictive. With his rating now 1lb lower than last time, Theme Park gets the Nap vote to go one better in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap (5.10) at Nottingham.
Leucothea the next-best at Nottingham
Earlier on the Colwick Park card, Leucothea is the next-best selection for the Weatherbys VAT Services Nursery Handicap (3.40). Richard Hannon's two-year-old could not get involved in the Weatherbys Super Sprint last time, but her three prior outings suggest she is fairly treated on a rating of 71 for her first start in handicap company.
Monday's selections
Ripon: 2.24 The Mean Fiddler; 2.54 Queen Sana; 3.24 Zoustar Dreams; 3.54 Saint Lawrence; 4.24 Everyoneknowsadave; 4.54 Vega's Virtue.
Nottingham: 2.40 Yimmna; 3.10 Piper Cee; 3.40 Leucothea (nb); 4.10 Invincible Crown; 4.40 Dawn of Liberation; 5.10 Theme Park (nap).
Windsor: 6.00 Fast Steps; 6.30 Proper Naughty; 7.00 Night Shining; 7.30 Saucy Jane; 8.00 Freedom Bay; 8.30 Chilly Breeze.
Double: Theme Park and Leucothea.
