Connections of a veteran chaser hope their stable-star rolls back the years when it makes its seasonal reappearance this week.
Nozic, part-owned by Coral PR man Simon Clare and trained by East Grinstead handler Zoe Davison, will make his first season start at Leicester on Thursday in a two-mile handicap chase.
The 107-rated 13-year-old has won six and placed in six of his 41 runs and will partner Davison’s jockey daughter Gemma.
Owner Simon Clare said: “Leicester should suit Nozic well as it’s a galloping track with a long final straight and the two miles on good to soft ground will place enough of an emphasis on stamina as it will on speed.
“Gemma struck up an amazing relationship with Nozic two years ago so I’m looking forward to seeing them team up again.”
Gemma last rode Nozic at Sandown in February last year, finishing fourth just two weeks after a stylish win at Kempton.
That win, in addition to two runner-up performances in top class handicaps at Sandown and Ascot that season, are three of Gemma’s career highlights so far.
Gemma said: “It’s been eighteen months since I last rode Nozic in a race and I’m looking forward to Leicester on Thursday like a kid at Christmas. It was a long, hard, frustrating time out of the saddle [with injury] but the thought of riding Nozic again kept me going. He really is very special to me.”
Gemma’s mum Zoe described Nozic’s home work as “electric” last week.
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