Hi all,
Doncaster returns with a second day of flat action on Sunday with an eight-race card. The Racing Post ‘Go North’ Weekend concludes at Carlisle with three series finals, while more jump racing comes from Ascot, which hosts the fifth leg of the Veterans’ Chase Series (3.55) and a normally competitive juvenile handicap hurdle (2:45).
Across the Irish Sea there is an eight-race jumps card at Limerick. Naas starts its Flat season off with the Listed Plusvital Devoy Stakes (4:25) and the Madrid Handicap (3:50) the feature races on an eight-race card.
Arguably the most interesting runner on the Naas card runs in the maiden fillies’ maiden (5:00) and it’s the once raced Aidan O’Brien trained filly Tuesday. The 3-year-old finished runner-up to subsequent Group 1 Moyglare Stakes Winner Discoveries on her racecourse debut last June. A general 8/1 for the English 1,000 Guineas and a decisive success here is likely to see those odds tumble more.
Naas
3:50 – Madrid Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 7f
Aidan O’Brien could have another smart filly on his hands in the shape of West Coast here. The daughter of Dark Angel produced a nice turn of foot to win a Leopardstown maiden on her third and final start last season. Well suited to good ground the drying conditions will help her chance.
4:25 – Plusvital Devoy Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 2f
Patrick Sarsfield looks the solid choice here. The 6-year-old makes his seasonal reappearance, has gone well fresh in the past, and is proven in Listed company. However, does come up against up against a couple of potentially useful and unexposed colts in License and Cleveland. License was an impressive winner on his racecourse debut last June. Capable of more improvement and holds a Group 1 entry. The same applies to Cleveland who holds a Group 1 entry. The 4-year-old ended his juvenile campaign with a maiden success at the Curragh (heavy). The son of Camelot was being talked about as Derby contender last spring but had to miss his 3-year-old campaign. Capable of more progress and O’Brien won this last year with Broome.
Doncaster
Some big fields for some competitive handicaps on Town Moor this afternoon.
2:00 – Seven Brothers won on his juvenile racecourse debut and won first time up last season so fitness shouldn’t be an issue for the 4-year-old on his first start since October. The 4-year-old ended last season with two disappoint efforts but is respected on the best of last year’s form, including when a length 2nd of 9 at Goodwood last July. He finished a length in front of one of today’s rivals Shark One Two in the Goodwood race and that one is now 3lb better off. Shark One Two largely disappointing last season has been gelded over the winter and his trainer Richard Fahey has saddled the winner of this 7f handicap three times since 2014.
4:20 – Mick Channon landed yesterday’s Lincoln and he has a good chance of another success here with Chairmanoftheboard who ended last season in good form. A winner at Haydock last October, off 4lb lower. He had Woven ½ length back in second that day. The runner-up get’s a 2lb pull in the weights here. Woven was beaten a neck on last season’s seasonal return so he can go well fresh and if trainer Michael Dods has him ready to roll again first time up, he won’t be far away. Bergerac shaped like the run was needed and further was required when 3rd of 8 over 5f at Southwell 17-days ago. The 4-year-old is just 1lb higher than when winning a 6f handicap at York last September and can win more handicaps this year. Ghathanfar proved a consistent sprint handicapper last year winning at Redcar last April and was a 1 length 5th of 22 in last season’s Bronze Cup at Ayr, off 6lb higher. Gradually coming down the weights and is respected returned to turf after two recent runs on the all-weather.
Ascot
2:45 – Colts & Fillies Club Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 1m 7 ½ f
Gavin Cromwell brings over handicap debutant Vera Verto who got off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles when winning a Navan maiden last time. The best of the home team looks likely to be Dr T J Eckleburg who made it 2-3 over hurdles when making a winning handicap hurdle debut at Taunton last month. He failed to get into the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham. He’s 6lb higher than last time but is going the right way and must have a good chance of completing the hat trick. Today’s better ground should suit Rewired who got off the mark over hurdles at Fakenham last time and is interesting on his handicap hurdle debut for the inform Dr Richard Newland yard.
3:55 – The Kings Writ is interesting in this Veterans Chase Series Qualifier. The 11-year-old would probably prefer more juice in the ground. He has failed to complete on his last two starts but there is no doubting his dropped to down to a winnable mark on the best of last seasons form. The first time cheekpieces are applied and he could surprise some better fancied rivals here.
Betting Advice:
Naas
4:25 – 1pt win – Cleveland – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Doncaster
2:00 – 0.5pts win – Seven Brother – 14/1 @ Bet365 and 0.5pts win – Shark One Two – 14/1 @ Bet365
4:20 – 1pt win – Bergerac – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Woven – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Ascot
2:45 – 1pt win – Dr T J Eckleburg – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:55 – 1pt win – The Kings Writ – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Sky Bet
Cheers
John