Secret Venue	1 point win	Currently 12/1
	2:50 Nottingham Jockey: Tom Eaves Trainer: Jed O’Keefe	Course : Nottingham Distance : 5f Runners : 9

	Pentominium	1 point win	Currently 7/1
	3:50 Newcastle Jockey: Joe Fanning Trainer: Mark Johnston	Course : Newcastle Distance : 1m Runners : 9

SECRET VENUE has been running better than his recent form figures suggest and looks overpriced in the 5f handicap at Nottingham today (2.50). He rattled off a fast-ground hat-trick at Musselburgh earlier this year, and although that course suits his front-running tactics well, he ran at least as well at York in July, just caught in the final strides having fared much the best of the three horses that contested the early lead at a strong pace.

Next time at Musselburgh he went off even quicker up front along with Sandwith, and they both faded badly in the final furlong. He then had a six-week break before running an excellent race at Doncaster, always prominent as usual but racing more towards the centre of the track in a race where high-drawn horses, and those racing closer to the stands rail, dominated; it’s worth noting that amongst the three or four horses who raced with him towards the centre of the track were Invincible Lad and Go Go Green, both of whom won next time.

The other factor that interests me is that Secret Venue is returning to a 3yo-only handicap here for the first time since that York run. Three-year-olds do worse against their elders in sprints than at other distances — their record this year is just 15 wins from 237 runs and a return on investment of only 0.54 (54p per £1 staked), whereas at 2m, for instance, backing all 3yos in 3yo+ handicaps this year has shown a small profit (11-48, +3.33). Secret Venue is a game horse — it’s no coincidence his four wins have all been by a neck or less — and he’s capable of a big run at a big price.

The second selection comes at Newcastle where Joe Fanning takes the ride on PENTOMINIUM. Mark Johnston has a knack of getting his horses fully tuned up for maidens like this and rumours coming from the stable are that this horse could be pretty handy. Half brother to smart 10-12f winner Epatha, this horse will take some beating in this company.