Doncaster Preview Wednesday

Six Races on Town Moor (photo: drawbias.com)

THE SIX race mid week card at Doncaster gets underway with the Yorkshire Radio Supporting Yorkshire Racing Novices´ Hurdle at 1:05.

Gores Island is the among the more experienced in the line up, he won a decent novice hurdle last time when receiving weight but will have his work cut out under a penalty this time.

Despite drifting in the market Barenger was a seven length winner on day one of the Hennessy weekend on his racecourse debut. His inexperience did not inconvenience him there and he is likely to be popular for trainer and jockey in form.

Greenlaw was beaten less than five lengths in a listed Ascot bumper last time. Despite that event being a slowly run event there were plenty of useful rivals involved (winner prominent in Champion Bumper market) and he is one who could at least make the places today.

There is a hurdles newcomer in the shape of Theology now with Steve Gollings. The 125,000gs purchase has useful form on the level where he was fractionally denied in the 2010 Queen’s Vase when with Jeremy Noseda and is interesting.

Wordy’s Boy, Mountain Hiker and Pittodrie Star are others for the shortlist in a competitive 2m3f contest.

John Ferguson having great season
(picture: racingpost.com)

A 4yo hurdle at 1:40 (sponsored by Doncaster Racecourse Wedding Show 15th January) appears to easier to unravel. Art History was an improver for Mark Johnston and won his last two flat starts. His trainer John Ferguson has impressed in the stables first full season with a 42% strike rate and with the stables last three runners being successful Art History is the one to beat here.

Another useful recruit from the flat lines up for the Donald McCain stable, Gottany O’s a five time flat winner was sold for 130,000gs at Newmarket in October.

Blue Destination for John Quinn and Drumadoon who was a distant second to yesterday’s Taunton winner Kazlian are most likely to capitalise on any mishaps to the above duo.

A small field go to post for the 1stsecuritysolutions.Co.Uk Novices´ Chase over 3m. Three runners carry a penalty. The most experienced runner over the larger obstacles is Beneficial Reform he won over course and distance in November and was since behind the former Grade 1 novice Air Force One also at Town Moor. Cheekpieces now added and should not be too far away.

Edge of Town won on the back of over 20 months off track, he had solid novice hurdle form and provided he does not “bounce” after the long break he should have a say here.

Nicky Henderson’s Loose Performer is the highest rated of the line-up. His rider Jerimiah McGrath claims five pounds to give him even more in hand over his rivals. He is the youngest in the field of four and is a tentative selection to follow up.

Arctic Actress and Peedeeque were both course and distance winners last time and the pair are likely to head the betting in the Pegler Yorkshire Handicap Hurdle at 2:50. The latter was top weight that day and has claims off a seven pound higher mark. Arctic Actress’s form is in and out but must be respected coming from a big stable.

Corkage was in the lead when falling last time at Catterick over the larger obstacles. He has not won since the summer of 2009 when with Lucinda Russell but has had time off before his seasonal reappearance in November. Keith Reveley’s charge likes good ground and provided it is not too holding at Doncaster he can give a good account off top weight (has won off a higher mark).

In the 3:25 St Leger Tickets On Sale 6th February Handicap Chase it appears wisest to stick with those at the head of the weights. Quel Ballistic was effectively brought down by the aforementioned Corkage in the same Catterick race. He was favourite that day and has major claims again.

Bishophill Jack came out the right side of two almighty battles on his last two runs and is the one to beat in a hat trick bid provided those two December races have not emptied him.

Since the move from Alan King Quetzal has won twice for Mark Todhunter but is still as inconsistent as before. The addition of cheekpieces had a positive effect last time and coupled with a more prominent racing style saw him come home a five length winner at Newcastle. If they have the same effect again he should be involved up front.

The Download Free Doncaster Racecourse iphone App Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race concludes the action at 3:55. David Pipe’s Irish purchase Shotavodka heads the field under a penalty after a win at Tramore in October.

Hi George holds the best previous form of the line up when third behind subsequent Cheltenham New Year’s day second Chancery at Haydock.

Don Cantillon’s This Is Me is also worth a look, his only runner travelling up from Newmarket.

BEST BET on the Card: Corkage (EW)