Doncaster 30 January 2016

Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
 
 
Sunny spells

Forecast: Sunny spells
Temperature: 1.9° - 6.9°
Rainfall: 0.04mm
Wind: 19.6 mph W

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

12:30 Doncaster (Class 4) (4YO plus)

Philip Shackley 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle

2m 3f 120y

Winner £4,549 - 18 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

A very tricky contest to open the card and the marginal preference goes to DEGOOCH, who was a beaten favourite on his debut for this yard back in November. With the benefit of that run he could well turn things around from an attractive handicap mark. The in-form Polarbrook may be tough to beat if repeating the performances of any of his last three starts, while those searching for an each-way alternative should have a look at City Supreme. Others worthy of consideration are Bells Of Ailsworth, Desertmore Hill and Mccabe Creek.

2

13:00 Doncaster (Class 1) (5YO plus)

grand-national2016.co.uk Lightning Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

2m 90y

Winner £19,932 - 5 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

This looks likely to come down to a battle between Shaneshill and VANITEUX. The preference goes to the latter because he is in receipt of 4lb and he may be unbeaten over fences if the jockey had delayed his challenge last time. He was narrowly held by the admirable Ar Mad that day but with a more confident ride he could gain compensation today. The Willie Mullins raider is extremely hard to pass over due to his back class but he has not fully convinced yet over fences. Fox Norton looks the pick of the remainder, although none of the runners can be completely dismissed.

3

13:30 Doncaster (Class 2) (5YO plus)

Play Channel 4 Racing's Pick 6 Handicap Chase

2m 90y

Winner £31,280 - 10 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

An incredibly competitive handicap for punters to solve in which chances are given to more than just a few. Dresden is the standard-setter boasting a mark of 149 and the sole C&D winner in the field arrives on a hat-trick, while Just Cameron finished a close second to Un De Sceaux in a Grade 1 at Punchestown two starts ago and that form reads well in the context of this handicap, if punters are willing to forgive a lacklustre comeback run at Sandown. Gardefort accounted for Sir Valentino (second) when winning easily at Wetherby a fortnight ago and is another to take seriously, while On Tour is unbeaten in two starts over fences and goes handicapping off an attractive mark of 138. A tentative vote is for RED SPINNER, though, as he completed a four-timer in effortless fashion at Warwick last month and could still have something in hand off 8lb higher judged on his Leicester success at the expense of 2014 Ladbroke Hurdle second Pine Creek two starts back.

4

14:05 Doncaster (Class 1) (4YO plus)

OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Doncaster Mares' Hurdle)

2m 140y

Winner £28,475 - 7 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

MORNING RUN has been sent off an odds-on favourite on each of her four hurdles starts in Ireland, winning three times. Her defeat came on her reappearance at Leopardstown last month but she wouldn't be the only representative from the stable to be caught ring rusty first time out this year. She's expected to come on for that outing and see off Intense Tango, who won this race 12 months ago, and improving handicapper Lily Waugh to score.

5

14:40 Doncaster (Class 1) (5YO plus)

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The River Don Novices' Hurdle)

3m 96y

Winner £17,085 - 6 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

A golden opportunity for either BARTERS HILL or Up For Review to stamp their authority on the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and in a mouth-watering renewal, slight preference is for the former. Ben Pauling's 16,000-euro purchase gave him a first Grade 1 success as a trainer when making all in the Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury last month, hinting he'd be better over further in the process, and on the basis that he's slightly more experienced and brings stronger bumper form to the table, he's taken to halt the Willie Mullins bandwagon. Up For Review cannot be completely overlooked, though, as the son of Presenting looked a genuine Grade 1 performer when bolting up in a Grade 2 over this trip at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and with the prospect of forthcoming improvement, he must be feared. Minella Charmer has been handed a mark of 141 having got off the mark in good style at Plumpton earlier this month and he rates best of the remainder.

6

15:15 Doncaster (Class 1) (5YO plus)

Sky Bet Chase (Listed Handicap) (Formerly The Great Yorkshire Chase)

3m 6y

Winner £45,560 - 15 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

The better the ground the bigger the chance for Holywell, who is a class above these on the pick of his form (fourth in last year's Gold Cup) but has plenty on his plate off a mark of 159. Le Reve is certainly on a workable rating but his question mark is going left handed, where he has an awful record. It is certainly buyer beware when it comes to BUYWISE, whose jumping continually lets him down, but there is a chance he may get away with it with a slower pace over 3m. Le Mercurey will be the fashionable choice but he could very well be over bet. In contrast, Ikorodu Road and No Planning could go off at enticing each-way prices, particularly the former who has a very good course record.

7

15:50 Doncaster (Class 6) (4YO to 7YO)

Stevie Bow's 50th Birthday Celebration British Stallions EBF Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (Div 1)

2m 140y

Winner £1,949 - 11 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Kayf Grace displayed a fair level of ability in both starts last season and she warrants plenty of respect on her return to action, but it might pay to side with QUEEN ODESSA. The form of her debut third on the all-weather at Lingfield looks rock solid with the first, second and fourth all winning races since and normal improvement will see her go very close. Mcgregor's Cottage won pretty much as she liked at Sedgefield but quite what that form amounts to is open to question, while Cajun Fiddle, Sainte Ladylime and Atlanta Ablaze also have chances.

8

16:25 Doncaster (Class 6) (4YO to 7YO)

Stevie Bow's 50th Birthday Celebration British Stallions EBF Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (Div 2)

2m 140y

Winner £1,949 - 11 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Floramoss, Raised On Grazeon and Fact Of Life are all interesting newcomers but it could pay to side with the experience of KALANITI. Chris Grant's mare has run to a fair standard in each of her three starts to date (second behind subsequent Listed winner La Bague Au Roi at Aintree looks particularly strong form) and the penalty she has to carry for winning gamely at Musselburgh last time might not be enough to anchor her. Kir Royal and Little Acorn both made pleasing debuts and they also merit consideration.

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