Hi all,
It’s the start of the British flat season at Doncaster today. There’s also a good card of all all-weather at Kempton. For jumps fans there’s also second day of racing at Newbury. All the best of the action is being covered by ITV in an eight-race programme.
There’s also good racing on Sunday with another day’s flat racing at Doncaster, a good jumps card at Ascot, the Northern Lights Series Final races for the chasers at Carlisle. As well as flat action at Naas, including the Group 3 Park Express Stakes, and a jumps card at Limerick.
I have had a look at some of the handicaps from all three Saturday meetings. Although it’s actually not a big betting day for me.
Doncaster
2:35 – Unibet Spring Mile Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Anythingtoday’s best form has come over 1m 2f, he even won over 1m 4f in 2019, two pieces of form at York last August/September make him look competitively treated here and he looks worth go over what should be a strongly run mile. Adam Kirby is an interesting jockey booking for the 7-year-old who is on a mark he can win off.
Mascat’s last win came on his second start as a juvenile and he was 0-7 last season but did put in a career best effort when running the well handicapped Brentford Hope to ¾ length at Haydock in October. Has been gelded over the winter and could be capable of more progress as 4-year-old.
Verdict: There should be plenty of pace in the race and my two against the are Anythingtoday and the newly gelded Mascat.
1pt each way – Anythingtoday – 25/1 @ Bet365 (paying 5 places 1/4 odds) – Sky Bet are 20/1 (paying 7 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – Mascat – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:10 – Unibet Lincoln (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m
I have already previewed the rave early in the week. King Ottokar my initial ante post selection would probably prefer more juice in the ground and according to trainer Charlie Fellowes won’t run if the ground is deemed too quick. My other ant post fancy Brunch is fine on a sound surface and should give us a good run for our money. Of the rest Danyah has only raced twice over a mile and looks capable of more improvement if he gets a strongly run race.
Verdict: It should be run at decent gallop. Not sure about the ground for King Ottokar. I am happy with Brunch and Danyah who gallops rather than quickens will be suited by a strongly run race.
Kempton
2:15 – Ladbrokes Rosebery Handicap (London Middle Distance Series Qualifier) (Class 2) – 1m 3f
Al Zaraqaan, trained by William Haggas, won a novice over C&D last November and the followed up with a win on his handicap debut a month later. He’s only been raised 5lb for his last win and looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement as a 4-year-old. Will be tough to beat.
Almighwar is 2-3 here, both wins coming over 1m 4f, but did struggle on his handicap debut off 2lb higher back in October. First run since and looks another capable of improving as a 4-year-old.
United Front was only beaten a neck at Chelmsford 9-days ago. Was keeping on over 1m 2f that day and if he stays today’s extra furlong could get into the money.
2:45 – May Sonic looked to put in a career best effort when making all to win over C&D 38-days ago. He’s up 4lb but the 5-year-old is going the right way.
Lord Rapscallion wasn’t inconvenienced by the drop back to 6f when 4th of 8 at Wolverhampton two weeks ago. He’s dropping to a winnable mark and shouldn’t be far away again.
Gulliver a previous winner over C&D was a shade unlucky when beaten a ½ in a Conditions race over C&D in January. Two poor runs over 7f can be excused and although the 7-year-old does need a strongly run race and all the cards to fall right he’s on a competitive mark when they do.
1pt win – Gulliver – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Newbury
2:50 – BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m 3f
Good Ball won over an extended 2m here in December and improved further when runner-up to Gowel Road here last month. The front two pulled away from the third that day and the form looks solid. Step up to 2m 3f can bring out more improvement in the 4-year-old on his handicap debut.
One True King was in good form on good/good to soft going in the autumn. The return to a sounder surface looks a positive and he’s a tough horse to pass when getting an uncontested lead. That’s not certain as there are few in the race who like to go forward.
Mount Windsor has been very well placed to win four handicap hurdles. Up 13lb and in a much deeper race here but given his level of improvement and good form can’t be ruled out with Fergus Gillard taking off a handy 5lb.
3:20 – EBF BetVictor ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Mares’ Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (Series Final) – 2m 4 ½ f
A tricky looking mares’ only handicap.
Rose Of Arcadia looks on a good mark for handicap hurdle debut if she handles today’s good to soft ground but did look at home on heavy ground when winning a Wincanton novice 51-days ago.
Misty Whisky a winner at Uttoxter & Ludlow (soft) at the end of last year before putting a career best effort when 2nd of 20 in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton two starts back. Ran well when third in a Grade 2 at Sandown last time despite not jumping that well. Best form has come on soft ground so any juice in the ground is a positive for her.
Marada has won three of her six starts since going hurdling this season and put in a career best effort on RPR’s when winning a Huntingdon novice hurdle 20-days ago. Good/good to soft ground suits the 6-year-old and she maybe capable of better returned to handicap company. Trainer Dan Skelton won this in 2018 with Roksana.
Verdict: Misty Whisky has arguably the best form in the race but might need softer ground and really needs to jump better than she did last time. Rose Of Arcadia could be the best handicapped mare in the race but needs to show she’s as effective on a sounder surface. Marada has been in consistent this season and should like the ground.
1pt win – Marada – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John