IVER BRIDGE LAD Highly tried this season and deserves a chunk of respect here back in handicap company with Fallon booked. Big weight off a high mark is a concern; no shock to see a solid run.
TAJNEED An excellent look to his form this year and were this being run at Ripon he would be the favourite. Still the doubt he is quite as good elsewhere but Nicholls is always to be feared and comes here in fine fettle.
SECRET WITNESS Shot up in the ratings after his Group Three third two weeks ago and has been the unluckiest horse around in these sprint handicaps this summer/autumn. Every chance he could be in the money once more.
QUEST FOR SUCCESS Landed tomorrows 5f sprint here last season but hasn't excelled since. His mark remains of a stiff nature given the opposition here today and questions now whether 5f is the optimum trip for him.
GOLDEN DESERT Hard to not enthuse about his chances. Ryan Moore gets on very well with him, trainer is in solid form and he comes here off the back of four glorious efforts in a row. Due to go up 4lbs after this; well respected favourite.
KNOT IN WOOD Top sprint handicapper for the past several years and still remains one to watch in these events. Booking of Frankie is interesting and has now dropped to a tempting mark. Much more gusto needed than many of this year’s efforts though.
PARISIAN PYRAMID Has shown plenty of willing and talent this term for Kevin Ryan and has won two classy races along the way. Likely to lead on his side of the track he could just be vulnerable to a finisher here off his current mark.
PRINCE OF DANCE Oozed class as a three year old but hasn't shown the same va va voom this time around, albeit in tough company. The drop to 6f here is interesting and wouldn't be the most shocking winner. Plenty to overcome though.
ADVANCED In similar mould to Knot In Wood in that he has been a stalwart of these events for a few years now. Remains in good heart but winnings days are wider apart now and may be at the mercy of better-handicapped sorts in this.
SINGEUR Struggled for much of the season against his elders, so likely the same fate will befall him once again today. Tricky to rule out all together due to rock solid 3yo form, but again it's tough to not see at least one better than him.
RASH JUDGEMENT Miles behind Golden Desert on last years form and bit hit and miss this time around. Very hard to make a case for him winning here against some quality opposition.
BABY STRANGE Hugely likeable grey who seems to excel at Doncaster, winning on his last two visits. Racing off a 4lbs higher mark than for that last win but has Dale Swift to claim a handy 5lbs today. Cannot rule out while in form and plenty of each way appeal.
KELLYS EYE Has had a long season and has been struggling against older horses all year. Spencer sure to get the best out of him but remains to be seen if even that would be enough here.
SUMMERINTHECITY Landed a decent prize at Haydock two starts back and is a CD winner here at Doncaster from his 2yo days. The Holland/Noseda combo is always to be feared and should still have improvement left in him being lightly raced.
ENDERBY SPIRIT A winner off 8lbs higher last term; he's shown nothing of the same sparkle as a 4yo. Cheekpieces now applied in attempt to find the root of the problems but likely he'll be back a better horse next year.
MAC’S POWER Performed much better since being dropped back to 6f of late and is another with more to come over this trip. Needs to turn around the form with Baby Strange on the same terms from their recent meeting but has to be respected for shrewd yard.
ESPRIT DE MIDAS Faces a huge uphill struggle in a most competitive affair. Used to facing lowlier opposition than he gets today and form tailing off somewhat.
ANCIENT CROSS The drop to sprinting distances has done him the power of good and he remains in excellent form. No reason he can't run well again here despite 4lb hike for latest second and form turn around with Baby Strange to battle.
RASAMAN Good record here and 7lbs being taken off his back today to add to his cause. The trip is the major worry; his last two attempts over 6f have not been special and major improvement needed to land the spoils.
FLYING STATESMAN Hanagan/Fahey team up once more and the horse comes into this fresher than most having just his third start of the year. A solid fourth behind Summerinthecity of late puts him spot on for this; one to watch.
JOSEPH HENRY Another likely front runner and despite landing big handicap at Goodwood this term, looks weighted right up to his best here. Remains in fair heart but others appear to have a greater chance in tight contest.
WE HAVE A DREAM Disappointed two days ago and long season might just be catching up with him. More than capable on his day and every chance on best form; good jockey booking but a likely struggler.
A decent card assembled for an end of season sprint handicap and as is usually the case, plenty are in with a chance. However, it is extremely difficult to ignore the chances of Golden Desert and, at the prices, is very tempting. He comes here off the back of some brilliant efforts in competitive races and with Ryan Moore on board he is sure to put up a bold show. The trainer is hitting form at the right time and being 1lb lower than his handicap win at Goodwood last year, he has the room to manoeuvre handicap wise that some don’t. The remainder have a few with chances, Flying Statesman and Secret Witness to name two. But it’s Baby Strange where the second pin lies. Looking for a hat trick of wins from his last three starts here at the course, he has been keeping his fitness up on the all weather tracks since his last win. Dale Swift has been winning with Cheveton of late and gets the leg up here taking 5lbs off to nullify the 4lb rise for his September win at Doncaster. He had a lot of these behind him that day and also looks attractive at the prices.
SELECTIONS
Golden Desert 2pts win @ 7/1 Baby Strange 1pt ew @ 16/1
I have gone for what I see as the value Meat. The 7/1 was too good to pass up. If he was 4/1 I would not have plumped for him. Baby Strange isn't the favourite [;)]
Sure am TV... Be up tomorrow I have gone for what I see as the value Meat. The 7/1 was too good to pass up. If he was 4/1 I would not have plumped for him. Baby Strange isn't the favourite
Kellys eye 4 me here, this bolted home into 4th at ascot on its penultimate start after getting a shocker from rear gunner spencer. Great fig last time also considering he was never put in the race from what turned out to be a bad draw. Spencer to atone 4 ascot for me @25+ [:D]
Good stuff vk Kellys eye 4 me here, this bolted home into 4th at ascot on its penultimate start after getting a shocker from rear gunner spencer. Great fig last time also considering he was never put in the race from what turned out to be a bad draw.
Another Kelly's Eye fan signing in. Plenty of pace amongst the low drawn horses - where it was a huge advantage to be drawn in the Portland, and interesting that Baby Strange's two C&D successes this season have been from stalls 4 and 6, so a low draw is clearly no hinderance.
Another Kelly's Eye fan signing in. Plenty of pace amongst the low drawn horses - where it was a huge advantage to be drawn in the Portland, and interesting that Baby Strange's two C&D successes this season have been from stalls 4 and 6, so a low dra
Since the track was renovated in 2006, there has been 19 c/d races with 16+ runners, the stalls positioned 1-9 from stands side rail have a better record for being in first 4 home than out wider with 44/171 horses totalling 37.5 expected placings based on s.p.'s, 10th and wider had 32/183(38.5).
When the ground was slower, i.e. positive raceform going allowance, stalls 4-8 from stands side finished in the first 4 18/45 from a 10.6 expected rate.
It's limited evidence but I reckon Singeur, Flying Statesman, Mac's Power, Golden Desert and Quest For Success are well drawn which doesn't help a lot as they're high up in the betting
Since the track was renovated in 2006, there has been 19 c/d races with 16+ runners, the stalls positioned 1-9 from stands side rail have a better record for being in first 4 home than out wider with 44/171 horses totalling 37.5 expected placings bas
yeah, stats are only high stalls positioning, non runners are eradicated also to give true stall positioning
when i stated stalls 4-8 from stand side i meant in todays case stalls 14-18 in 21 rnr race
yeah, stats are only high stalls positioning, non runners are eradicated also to give true stall positioningwhen i stated stalls 4-8 from stand side i meant in todays case stalls 14-18 in 21 rnr race
Took a chance with Singeur at the 25's early doors. Dropped to 95, had a little break & some good form this year that gives him a chance & Prince Of Dance at 20's on an intriguing drop back to 6f Best of luck.
Morning VK & all.Took a chance with Singeur at the 25's early doors.Dropped to 95, had a little break & some good form this year that gives him a chance & Prince Of Dance at 20's on an intriguing drop back to 6fBest of luck.