Doncaster Preview

Town Moor: Good midweek card

IT IS good to see a day of good ground racing at Doncaster as the build up to the festival sees many putting in their final run within the next week before Cheltenham.

All seven races on Town Moor have something to get at least mildly excited about.

A Juvenile Hurdle opens proceedings at 1:55. Ardlui is
the only winner lining up. The form of his two hurdle runs is very strong with two good quality subsequent winners ahead of him when third on debut.

From his win there has been good performances from the second placed Tango De Juilley as well as a handicap win from the third placed horse.

Black Pond will likely improve for his debut run but the main challenge to Alan King’s charge will probably come from Eagle Rock he has bumped into some decent animals in his three hurdle races.

He had weekend Sandown winner Bourne 18 lengths behind on his last run and his debut conqueror Countrywide Flame has been placed twice at the highest level since. In between he was placed in a C&D Grade 2.

It’s impossible to recommend anything but the obvious here. Alan King’s stable is in great form and Ardlui may leave Eagle Rock to be the bridesmaid yet again.

The 32red Casino Beginners´ Chase looks to concern just a couple for win purposes but there are currently eight so there is each way possibilities.

As to what ground suits Aikman best is a question, he appears to go on anything but before last time I had been of the opinion that he prefers softer going. He flopped badly last time but this is a good opportunity to bounce back.

Aikman can bounce back
(Photo: turfpix.com)

He had a good season as a novice hurdler but has not yet shown that over the larger obstacles, arguably his best performance over fences this term was over an inadequate two miles at Carlisle on his chasing debut.

He can be forgiven the run last time and is the one to beat. Master Fiddle was way underpriced last time when well beaten and I do not see his situation getting any better this time. He was placed on this card last year and a place is likely the best he will muster again.

Quentin Collonges has only made it to the track twice in the last two seasons but was a good hurdler in 09/10. Henry Daly does well at Doncaster and this son of Dom Alco is feared most.

The Cockney Mackem has made the frame in all completed starts but with the stable not at the peak of its powers minors is probably the best he can hope for.

The 3:00 Mirror Punters Club E B F "National Hunt" Novices´ Hurdle has a competitive field as Paul Nicholls told us to expect in novice hurdles following the number of abandoned meetings a few weeks ago.

Oscar Nominee, despite finishing last of three on his most recent run was less than three lengths behind Supreme hopeful Cinders and Ashes on heavy ground. He was a 27 length winner previously and the return to better ground is the one to beat for a top team.

The form of The Weatherman’s runs has not worked out and more is needed here under a penalty. Presenting Ace came home at a respectful distance behind some useful rivals on his previous runs and can make the frame here.

It is worth keeping an eye on the hurdling debutants and Wordy’s Boy could be a good each way option following his return to action in January.

The past few renewals of the 3:30 32red Veterans´ Handicap Chase have been interesting and this one is no different. The current favourite is Mark The Book but he is plenty short enough for a horse who has had all his wins on heavy going.

Wogan’s only defeat at the course came in this race last year. He has yet to complete for new trainer Tom Symonds but is now 10 pounds below his last winning mark. This looks a good opportunity for Faasel but he appears to peak in the top races but note any market support here.

Auroras Encore missed last season but if he comes on for his reappearance holds strong claims at a big price despite conceding weight. It looks like it will not be long before Atouchbetweenacara can gain a victory as plummeting mark and a return to better ground ever enhances his chance. However the 11 year old only has two wins to his name.

David Pipe’s Faasel represents a decent ‘bet to nothing’ in a red hot contest.

Market support should be noted for Faasel
(Picture: pixmule.com)

We have a handicap hurdle at 4:05 where David Pipe’s Decoy heads the field. He was well beaten last time in the Lanzarotte but a better run is expected back in class 3 company. Corkage has been in great form over the Winter and has two wins and a place from three runs here, but it is possible that the handicapper has him for the moment.

Distime was a beaten favourite on his handicap debut but better can be expected this time but at 6-1 he is short enough. Bob ‘N’ You  has some useful form but may need this after 16 months off, however the stable can prepare them fresh.

Dawn Commander was staying on the last twice and as a PTP winner the step up to 3 miles will suit. The first time visor saw Storm Survivor bolt in at Plumpton but is up 14 pounds for that.

Patsy Finnegan and Ely Brown are others to consider at bigger prices.

As is always the case with Hunter’s chases it is best to focus on the top of the market at 4:40. Lorikarad is the most obvious choice.

‘Stick to what you know’ is the call in the Bumper and Kaysersberg has the best form as well as being a C&D winner and is easy to side with. This Is Me was well beaten on his debut here but may be worth another chance after repeating the journey from Newmarket.

BEST BETS – AIKMAN, FAASEL

TAUNTON PREVIEW TUESDAY

THERE IS a respectable card on offer at Taunton on Tuesday. There are seven races for us to get through.

I don’t think many of you who will be going will risk a speeding ticket to make the first at 1:40 –the Alpha Company 40 Commando Royal Marines Conditional Jockeys´ Handicap Hurdle.

The younger animals in it are well exposed and perhaps the most interesting contender is Venetia Williams’s Sendinpost. Once she got into the straight she flew home to only be beaten under 10 lengths after looking like a distant third was on the cards. The step up to three miles plus will suit and the trainer has been in great form all month.

That’s Some Milan looked like the winner on his handicap debut after the return from his layoff  having traded at 4/6 in running. That was his first run for Ian Willliams and is expected to be fitter for that and looks a strong contender here.

The others have plenty to prove but the market may be a good help in solving this one.

The 2:10 Bravo Company 40 Commando Royal Marines Novices´ Hurdle on past evidence looks to lie between useful flat performers Alwaary and Dildar. The former now with Rebecca Curtis contesting pattern company nine times when with John Gosden and won in listed company at three.

Will you be risking Sanctuaire? (picture:Getty Images)

Dildar was fouth behind Pour Moi in a quick time affair at Saint Cloud in May, a race that contained French Derby second Bubble Chic and Group2 winner Vadamar. Paul Nicholls’s inmate will be the likely favourite considering he is getting weight all round.

The others are not without a chance and Constant Contact, Sew On Target and Tymford could all play a part.

For just five runners the Charlie Company 40 Commando Royal Marines Novices´ Chase at 2:40 is a good looking race. Sanctuaire returns to the venue where he burst onto the scene with a comfortable defeat of the then unknown Grand Crus. He now tackles the larger obstacles after two disappointing runs over hurdles.

The fact the Ruby Walsh takes the ride gives confidence but it is difficult to invest in him given his enigmatic nature. Easter Meteor got off the mark last time with a comfortable win to live up to the expectation placed on him by his useful relatives. Though, he probably will not be able to dictate up front this time around.

Shammick Boy took a heavy fall last time and on last season’s hurdle form he would be right in the shake up here. The trainer did not start the year with the customary excellent run of form and that is a negative.

Since injury Midnight Sail seems to have lost his form that saw his finish sixth in an Albert Bartlett and is best watched here.

The 2m1f Delta Company 40 Commando Royal Marines Handicap Hurdle at 3:10 has two extremely interesting handicap debutants, Ted Spread and Ifyouletmefinish, there was not much between the pair behind Grumeti over course and distance in December.

Jeremy Scott’s representative was since a four length second to Pearl Swan (conceding 11lbs) and may reverse form with the former St Ledger hope.

Of the slightly more experienced brigade, Double Handful has proved just that since moving to Lawney Hill and with two easy victories and a 19 pound rise he still has plenty to offer.

Double Handful has moved from Venetia Williams but she now has Monetary Fund formerly with Nicky Henderson. With the exception of last year’s Cheltenham run the six year old has never been far away at the business end, that said a mark of 130 on seasonal reappearance is probably beyond him.

The value of the race may lie with Pantxoa. The King-Hutchinson pairing has been in red hot form with a four wins and two places from their last seven runners. Pantxoa did not go well up in trip last time but he was highly regarded by Alan King before the novice season did not quite go to plan. If he puts in his usual solid run he looks good for a place here.

Pascha Bere is another who may be worth considering with the cheekpieces back on (last win came with them on).

Again a case can be made for a great deal of runners in the 3:40 Command And Logistics Company 40 Commando Royal Marines Handicap Hurdle. Val Mondo is currently at the head of the market on account of his running on fourth behind the handy Poole Master at Lingfield and the current vein of form of the stable.

Is It Me has two ways of going and despite his colossal price probably isn’t the worst 50-1 shot you will see. Woodlark Island is on a dangerous mark but may be one for the drier ground in a few weeks time.

Arctic Watch clearly doesn’t take a lot of racing but holds frame claims and despite still being a maiden one that looks certain to play a part at the finish is Anay Turge who was second to subsequent winners the last twice.

Venetia Williams;
multiple chances
(picture: racing post)

The 4:10 Go Commando Handicap Chase has attracted a few whom are dropping in grade. By the time this rolls around Venetia Williams may have already had a good day but Renard looks her best hope tomorrow.

Fifth and fourth on his last two starts when fading late, the drop in trip will suit. Another who will appreciate the shorter distance is Nomecheki, he completely dropped the anchor last time at the third last. Before that he was fourth in the 32 Red Chase at Sandown and a reproduction of that would see him make the places at least.

Frankie Figg appears at his best over the national fences and it is hard to have Star Galaxy off a career high rating aged 12 and a single figure price despite his January brace of victories.

Renard looks the most solid option here.

There are a few stables that do well with their newcomers in the represented in the 4:40 Dbs/Ebf Mares´ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race. The market and paddock watch is probably the best hope of unravelling this. I don’t have the answer so good luck.

BEST BETS – RENARD, PANTXOA (EW)