Hi all,
A decent Doncaster card this afternoon with the highlight being Veterans’ chase series qualifier. There’s also a jumps card at Ludlow and all-weather action from Southwell and Kempton. Sadly, for Irish racing fans this afternoons meeting at Punchestown has been abandoned.
Doncaster
The going is good to soft, soft in places at the track but it was dry on Tuesday with a strong wind and is set to be dry today.
I have looked at three races from Doncaster.
14:25 – Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) – 3m
Late Legend has had a busy season and has been well placed to win five of his nine starts. Won over C&D last time despite jumping to his right and although he’s been raised 8lb for his last win he might have stopped improving.
Eva’s Oscar has had three starts over fences. He’s yet to test the judge but has shown enough to think he will be suited by the step into handicap company and can go close if jumping.
Glenduff a winner of a Carlisle novice hurdle (good to soft) last season is one of the exposed horses in the field. He returned to action from an 11-month absence when well beaten 5th of 6 on his chase debut at Musselburgh 18-days ago. The drying ground will suit the 7-year-old as should this more galloping track.
Verdict: Bang in form Late Legend is sure to be popular. However, he’s could be vulnerable to unexposed Glenduff and Eva’s Oscar.
1pt win – Eva’s Oscar – 5/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Glenduff – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:30 – Virgin Bet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 2 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series) (Class 2) – 3m
Fagan bounced back to form, under top-weight when winning at Newbury (heavy) 38-days ago. Up 10lb for that success but with his confidence boosted he’s capable of another big run. Jockey Kielan Woods opts for Ami Desbois today.
Ami Desbois is another coming into the race in good form. He returned from 343-day absence to finish 2nd off 11 behind Double Shuffle at Kempton last month. Got a good positive ride that day and might well have held on to win but for a mistake at the last. Nudged up 4lb and deserves to win a race like this but his losing run does go back to December 2017.
Guitar Pete has been a grand servant to connections over the years. He was steadily improving his position when falling four out in the Kempton race that Ami Desbois finished runner-up in. Stamina for 3m still to be proven but the drying ground will suit the 11-year-old.
Rocky’s Treasure, a three-time winner at Doncaster, including two over C&D. The latest of those wins came two starts back when holding off the late challenge of Give Me A Copper. Probably resented the soft ground when pulling up in the Sky Bet Chase here last month. The first-time visor replaces the cheekpieces and the better the ground is a positive. More than capable of winning this if it’s a going day.
Verdict: Course & distance winner Rocky’s Treasure is an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. He can win this if in the mood. Guitar Pete is a big player if stays the 3m. Ami Desbois holds a Grand National entry and despite his long losing run is the pick.
1pt win – Ami Desbois – 100/30 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
4:05 – Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final) (Class 3) – 3m ½ f
The lightly raced Big Bresil is sure to be popular with punters here after an excellent second at Bangor on last month’s handicap debut. First start on going better than soft but if he handles the drying ground and stays 3m he’s got a good chance.
Ashfield Paddy seemed happier returned to hurdles when 3rd of 7 to Brinkley at Wincanton 34-days ago. A winner over 2m 7f at Exeter 12 months ago. He should get today’s slightly longer trip and Kevin Brogan takes off a handy 5lb which means he’s just 1lb above his last winning mark.
Supakalanistic a winner over 3m at Kempton last November, off 7lb lower, has been in good form in “Jumpers bumper’s” winning at Lingfield last month. A solid dual-purpose horse who wins his share of race. The 8-year-old is vulnerable to any better handicapped rivals in the field but the better the ground the better his chance.
Verdict: Big Bresil is open to further progress, if his stamina for 3m holds out, and his yard could be about to hit form. The better ground brings the consistent Supakalanistic into the picture. However, preference is for Ashfield Paddy.
1pt win – Ashfield Paddy – 6/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John