29th November

Newbury 2:05 Toteswinger Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2) (4 yo+) 3m 110y

We start today at Newbury with everyones favourite hurdler Inglis Drever making his return to the track. I for one, as many did, thought he would be retired following his 3rd World Hurdle win back in March. Connections decided otherwise and ran him at Aintree where he was defeated by Blazing Bailey. Inglis Drever has won this race for the last 3 years but will time catch up with him this season? Blazing Bailey is the obvious danger to Inglis Drever's chances of victory here. His old foe has tasted both victory and defeat against ID in the past. The last time being at Aintree where Blazing Bailey won. He has the benefit of a pipe opener on the flat where he won over 12f and I think he has the edge here. Pettifour and Mobaasher came up against each other at Wetherby earlier this month. The former just pipped the latter and there won't be much between them again here. The other with a big chance is Duc De Regniere. The inform Nicky Henderson runner won last time out when reverting back to hurdles following a novice chase season. The unknown factor is the trip as he's never gone beyond 21f. If he lasts home he could find the places. - VE

Selection: Blazing Bailey
Danger 1: Inglis Drever

Danger 2: Duc De Regniere

Newcastle 2:25 WBX.com Handicap Chase (Class 4) (4 yo+) 3m

13 are due to go to post in this 3 mile Handicap Chase and 3 of the field faced each other just over 2 weeks ago here at Newcastle in an almost identical race to this. On that day Jethro Tull fared best finishing second, 2 ½ lengths ahead of Stravaigin. Day Du Roy was a further 22+ lengths back in 6th. Jethro Tull received 10lbs from Stravaigin that day and now 8lbs for this race. His first two outings this season, after a lengthy lay off, both resulted in being pulled up, but since then he has been placed twice over course and distance. Stravaigin has James Reveley on board claiming a useful 3lbs. He has a distance win in Novice company to his name and the ground shouldn’t be a problem. Can he reverse form with Jethro Tull? Day Du Roy is only 4lbs lighter than Jethro Tull. I can’t see him troubling the judge. Top weight is carried by Ngong Hills who has been victorious in his last 2 starts. They have come over 1 furlong further and shorter than the trip here. The unknown factor for him is the ground. It is currently Good to Soft. The majority of his runs have been on Good ground and his wins have been on Firm and Good to Firm. His only effort on Soft/Heavy ended in being pulled up. If it stays dry and the ground isn’t too much on the soft side then he has a big chance. The weight will also be key. Of the rest Festival King (if sorting out his inconsistencies) and Alto Stratus could trouble the places. - VE

Selection: Jethro Tull
Danger 1: Ngong Hills
Danger 2: Stravaigin

Newbury 2:40 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1)

Well the Hennessy Gold Cup is always a competitive handicap chase and this year it is no different with 17 set to run in this grade 3 race. My antepost selection has been Big Bucks, who I know is thought to be a future Gold Cup horse, he is only 5 years old and must have come on for another summer on his back. He has beaten the likes of Albertas Run when he was stepped up to 3 miles 1 furlong, that race was very impressive and it clearly shows that the further they go the better Big Bucks should be. I am not a fan of Albertas Run, he never really convinces me in his races but he holds Air Force One through a line off Roll Along, so has to come into contention. Air Force One looks to be harshly treated for his return run this year, going up in the handicap despite having the run of the race and still not proving good enough, I have to take him on. At the bottom of the handicap is Island Flyer who was held on the line by another Nicholls horse last time in Cornish Sett, and this race looks to be even tougher, the light weight could make him hard to chase down if getting a lead. Character Building is also towards the bottom of the handicap and looks to be returning to form after a full season out, we know he likes it around here and therefore he has to be high on the shortlist. However the two dangers I am putting forward are Slim Pickings, who looks primed for this race and is a decent EW price and Dear Villez who stayed really well last time out in a 3 miles handicap chase in Ireland. - JB

Selection: Big Bucks
Danger 1: Slim Pickings
Danger 2: Dear Villez

Newcastle 3:00 WBX.com Rehearsal Chase (Listed Handicap) (4 yo+) 3m

This race has been won in recent times by such horses as See More Business, Sir Rembrandt, One Knight and Neptune Collonges. So who join them next? There are some interesting runners in this one. Last year’s winner Harmony Brig lines up again, although he has done nothing of note since taking this and there are others preferred to him. Battlecry is the forecast favourite. He was 3rd in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham to Albertas Run (who goes in the Hennessey along with Air Force One). Roll Along and Joe Lively have come out of that race and won nicely this season, so hopefully Battlecry will improve on his 2nd place a fortnight ago. The trip should be ideal for him and his trainer is in fine form. The main opposition could come in the form of Finger Onthe Pulse, although I have my doubts as to whether he is suited by this 3 mile trip. He has only tried a 3 mile+ trip once and came last to Air Force One at Punchestown. Anything on the soft side will test his stamina further. L’Antartique is having his first run of the season and is one that goes well fresh. Only once in 4 seasons has he failed to win on his first run. Last year’s Paddy Power Chase winner has a great chance if lasting the distance. Aces Four is from the same stable and is another having his first run of the season. He saddles top weight here. A course and distance winner 2 year’s ago, he could be in the frame if back to his best. One Sniff could have place claims too. He has only had 5 lifetime runs, winning 3 of them. Can he cope with a big step up in class is the question? - VE

Selection: Battlecry
Danger 1: L’Antartique
Danger 2: One Sniff

3:15 NEWBURY: totesport.com Handicap Chase (Class 2)

This handicap chase revolves around the possible improvement in form of the seasonal debutantes Billyvoddan, New Little Bric and Randwick Roar. The former is a nine year old who looks exposed at this trip and this seems a handicapping ploy for another attempt at the Grand National, he is lightly raced but will need to be at his very best to win this off top weight. Randwick Roar is an interesting runner, he was very progressive in January and February before having a 9 months break, he is relatively lightly raced for a 9 year old and should improve more this season, however this may prove too tough. New Little Bric is a younger horse and whilst disappointing in the past he definitely has the ability to win this. He has had the customary wind op and looks likely to progress from this mark. Classic Fiddle is short in the market but open to much more improvement and she jumps right at the fences, which will not suit around here. The other main danger is Yes Sir, a horse who is fit and ran a massive race in the Paddy Power before falling 4 out. If he is over that mistake he should make this a real test and looks set to make a massive run of it.

Selection – New Little Bric
Danger 1 – Yes Sir
Danger 2 – Classic Fiddle



Newbury 3:45 totescoop6 Intermediate Hurdle Race (Ltd Handicap)

Another competitive hurdle race for the Scoop6 punters to unravel and Squadron seems to be the obvious selection. His form this season is brilliant in regards to this field, having chased Crack Away Jack home on seasonal reappearance before winning nicely at Aintree and then finishing a good 5th in the Greatwood Hurdle. The worry with Squadron is that he is becoming very high in the handicap; therefore I feel others could provide a shock win. I like Hot Diamond, a horse who runs really nicely without getting his head in front, and this looks tougher for him and therefore he is taken on. The selection therefore is Khyber Kim, who was very smart on the flat and is very lightly raced over hurdles, his form behind Pierrot Lunaire looks really nice in this heat and he must run a big race carrying top weight. He could turn into a Champion Hurdle horse if he proves his well being here. The other danger looks to be the very useful bumper horse Helens Vision. - JB

Selection: Khyber Kim
Danger 1: Squadron
Danger 2: Helens Vision

November 22nd - Fallout

Well the massive Scoop6 jackpot was won last Saturday but sadly not with our selections and here's why.

Race 1: Dangers 1 & 2 came 3rd & 4th.
Race 2: Danger 1 was 2nd.
Race 3: Danger 2 faired best coming 4th.
Race 4: The Selection won.
Race 5: Danger 1 won with Danger 2 in 2nd.
Race 6: Danger 1 was 3rd.

22nd November

Lingfield 2:10 BETTER PRICES, BIGGER WINS AT LADBROKES.COM HANDICAP (CLASS 2)

A competitive heat with 4 last time out winners competing in this field of 10, where pace will be the key factor. The pace will be dictated by Atlantic Story, Markab, My Gatcho and Quest For Success, and unfortunately for those mentioned Lingfield is a track that suits hold up horses who come strong and fast at the finish. Swift Gift is one horse who looks likely to be ridden from the back and is highly progressive and lightly raced. He is one from one on the all weather and should go well off this mark. Others to note are Majuro and Beat The Bell who both look well handicapped - JB.

Selection: Quest For Success
Danger 1: Majuro
Danger 2: Beat The Bell

Lingfield 2:40 E B F PLAY BINGO AT LADBROKES.COM FILLIES' HANDICAP (CLASS 4)

This race is very tough to call and the market tells us all that we need to know, of the 12 runners 7 are under 10/1. The race again looks framed for hold up horses, so the likes of Izzibizzi and Secret Night are the ones to follow. I am siding with the former, she is in good form and whilst the stable are not in the best of form she looks primed to go well. Secret Night was very eyecatching over this course when being hampered at a crucial point in the sprint for home. The other danger could well be Spring Goddess who has form over this distance and should be in the shakeup - JB.

Selection: Izzibizzi
Danger 1: Secret Night
Danger 2: Spring Goddess

Haydock 2:45 TIMEFORM BETFAIR RACING CLUB HANDICAP CHASE (CLASS 2)

A nice big pot here and a competitive handicap as a result. At this stage in the season it is worth following the trainers in form so that immediately brings onto the shortlist Mister Quasimodo, Naunton Brook and Osako D'airy but it is Glasker Mill who catches my eye after a promising first run. Rambling Minster is another out after a promising outing and he will get the trip which is going to be key. Glasker Hill pips Rambling Minster slightly with Nicholls' horse an obvious danger - AR.

Selection: Glasker Mill
Danger 1: Rambling Minster
Danger 2: Osako D'airy

Lingfield 3:20 BET AT LADBROKES ON 0800 777 888 CHURCHILL STAKES (LISTED RACE)

Mr Aviator is the C&D winner and will no doubt fill a lot of selections but Yahrab makes interesting viewing as it's Spencer on a front runner. Now this kid has his faults but he can judge a pace really well and could surprise here. Re Barolo, ever consistent, could go one better than his last two outings but we're after recent winners for the AW and so my final danger is the classy Bronze Cannon who performed brilliantly earlier in the season and, if improved, could put them all to the sword here. If you definitely want to win you'd have most of these across all your lines - AR.

Selection: Yahrab
Danger 1: Mr Aviator
Danger 2: Bronze Cannon

Huntingdon 3:30 TOTESCOOP6 MILLIONAIRE MAKER HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 4) (4yo+) 3m2f

If we’ve got 4 out of 4 so far then I apologise in advance! This 15 runner handicap hurdle has been selected to scupper the dreams of many. Lets try and make it 5 out of 5. Top weight is Left Hand Drive. In his time he has won Class 3 & 4 Novice Hurdles, although his last run over the smaller obstacles was nearly 18 months ago. He has been unsuccessful at this distance on all previous attempts and can’t see him figuring. Fourth in the weights is the forecast favourite, House Of Bourbon. He has never tried this distance before although has been 3m a few times, with 2 runner’s up finishes at Cork over the summer. There are others who could do better than this one. One of those is Millards Lad. Another one reverting to hurdles after going chasing, he is the mount of Jamie Moore. He had 2 promising runs over hurdles in the summer before unseating in the infamous whip stealing race at Cheltenham last week. Acosta won last time out for the first time. It was over this distance but on soft ground. There is nothing else in his form to suggest he is suited by good ground so will discount him. If it chucks it down between now and race time it could be a different matter. Heathcliff has only 6 lifetime runs to his name. His last race was his best by far, although in Class 5 company. He returns after a lengthy layoff and gets just over a stone from the top weight plus the jockey taking off 7lbs. Pearly Star is another who would need it softer to figure here along with Low Delta. - VE

Selection: Millards Lad
Danger 1: Heathcliff
Danger 2: House Of Bourbon

Lingfield 3:50 BETTER PRICES, BIGGER WINS AT LADBROKES.COM GOLDEN ROSE STAKES (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1) (3yo+) 6f

Well it could all come down to this! How many million is it? The field is likely to be reduced to 11 as War Officer is a doubt so that helps a little. We’ll start with Duff with Kevin Manning over from Ireland for this his one and only ride of the day. A listed winner over 7f & 8f, his last 2 outings have been in Group 1 & 2 company. The trip appears on the short side but he could be capable of taking this. Bonus ran only 3 days ago and was beaten in a Class 3. Not shown the form of last season so far this year. Ceremonial Jade is an ultra consistent AW performer. He has only finished twice outside of the first 3 from 13 starts on the sand. Has a 2nd place finish over course and distance in a Listed contest from earlier in the year and has won his last 2 starts, both at 6f. Chief Editor has mainly been campaigned at 5f until recently. His last 3 runs have been over 6f resulting in 1 victory and 1 place. The placed effort was in Listed class. Should be in the frame. Maltese Falcon hasn’t won since taking this last year. His last start was very disappointing, but came after a layoff so he may come on for the run. Personally there are others in front of him. One of which is Prohibit. Owned by Khalid Abdullah, he returned to winning ways last time out on the AW over 6f. He finished 3rd behind Sir Gerry earlier in the season over this distance and should be in the first 4. Swiss Franc returns after a layoff for his first run on AW. His previous 2 runs were at Listed level, one of which saw him finish 3rd in front of Prohibit. In his 2 year old season he contested some pretty good races, finishing 2nd to Henrythenavigator in the Coventry Stakes, 3rd to Winker Watson in the July Stakes and 3rd to Sir Gerry in the Gimcrack Stakes. If he can reproduce some of that 2 year old form then he takes this. Big if though!! - VE

Selection: Ceremonial Jade
Danger 1: Swiss Franc
Danger 2: Chief Editor

1. Quest For Success
2. Izzibizzi
3. Glasker Mill
4. Yahrab
5. Millards Lad
6. Ceremonial Jade

November 15th Fallout

No winners this week from the panel and indeed the 6 races proved again beyond the punters with another rollover next week. Here is the breakdown.

Race 1: Joe Lively, Danger 1, won with the Selection back in 3rd, tiring up the hill. The Novice chaser continues his good form, definitely one to watch this season.
Race 2: Barbers Shop, Danger 1, came in second behind the impressive Imperial Commander. The selection, Silverburn, blundered badly when asked for an effort.
Race 3: Ice Tea, Danger 1, kept on gamely for the win. The selection was disappointing and Danger 2 was a non runner.
Race 4: Danger 2 was the best performer coming in third. Fair Along mentioned as a threat, conditions worked in his favour the the horse found plenty in terms of stamina and just made it home.
Race 5: The selection and firm favourite, Knockavilla, was going along well when making a novicy error, the risk didnt pay off for me and certainly a lot of other punters who would have had in their selection. The winner was mentioned and discarded but won it very impressively under a confident ride.
Race 6: Danger 1 was doing the best but Busker Royal fell at the second last when having every chance.

15th November

Cheltenham 2:00 Servo Computer Services Trophy Handicap Chase Grade 3 (Class 1) (4yo+)

Grand National winner Comply or Die makes his reappearance here but I expect, like most Pipe runners, he will need the run. Beat The Boys is chosen as the selection as Twiston-Davies is in great form and in the testing conditions a light weight is a plus. Joe Lively, from my local stable, is best of the rest and was a great novice last season. He could be good enough here but Tizzard isn't in amazing form at the moment so I'll watch him this time out. Opera Mundi has to be respected purely because of the Walsh/Nicholls partnership. Came out all guns blazing when fresh last term but Beat The Boys is chosen to continue his novice form at this higher grade - AR.

Selection: Beat The Boys
Danger 1: Joe Lively
Danger 2: Opera Mundi

Cheltenham 2:35 Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) (4yo+) 2m4f

The former Mackeson Gold Cup, as some will know it, is the next race up. In the last 10 running’s the favourite has landed the spoils 5 times. The likely favourite at time of writing is Silverburn. The full brother to Denman, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh who has had a well publicised breathing operation over the summer. He seems relatively lightly weighted on 10st11lbs, receiving just over a stone from the top weight, and has won over the distance. There is a lot in his favour providing he shows no ill effects from his surgery. Another well thought of is Barbers Shop. Owned by The Queen, he won his last race of last season after narrowly being beaten at the festival on the previous start. He beat Silverburn in a bumper in 2006, then finished behind him in a race last year won by Joe Lively. The new Henderson/Geraghty combination is in fine form this season and the trip and ground shouldn’t be a problem. Carries 1lbs less than Silverburn. The lightly weighted Bible Lord has been the market mover during the week. Only confirmed a run on Thursday, he is now a general 10-1 shot. He carries joint bottom weight of 10st5lbs and is another that shouldn’t have ground or trip worries. His last run was here at Cheltenham when he was beaten into 3rd place by another of the runners in this race, Ouzbeck. Ouzbeck has won 4 out of 5 chases he has contested and was a course and distance winner last time out. Most of his wins and decent runs have been on good ground which is a concern given the projected soft conditions. Imperial Commander has not been seen for nearly a year since trailing home last of 4 in a 25f race. Prior to that he won at this meeting in novice company over course and distance and should he return to that form he has a chance. Others to take note of are Stan and Maljimar. Stan was victorious in Grade 2 company last season and has had one run so far this season. That was a 2nd place finish over a trip on the short side. Maljimar won a Grade 3 last season before unseating in his final start. Ground conditions shouldn’t bother this course and distance winner and with a fairly light weight he could make the frame. I am torn over which of the first two picks gets the nod. Knowing my luck it will be the other that takes it! - VE

Selection: Silverburn
Danger 1: Barbers Shop
Danger 2: Maljimar

Wetherby 2:55 £2.5million totescoop6 Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+,0-130)

A very open handicap chase for horses rated 0 to 130, with the likes of Killard Point and Ice Tea likely to be close to the head of the market. Leading Man is the best horse in the race but he is top weight and from a stable which is on a dreadful run, he has to be opposed. The opposition should come in the form of former course winners Shrewd Investor, Super Road Train and Laertes. Shrewd Investor ran a fair race last time out until weakening 3 out; he looks too high in the handicap and therefore has to be taken on. Super Road Train has some fair form this season, but is one that will be staying on at the finish as he wants further than this. Laertes was very poor on seasonal reappearance when finishing well behind Super Road Train, however he is running on better ground here and is well below his hurdles mark. He can go with the early pace and has stamina in abundance, therefore he is the selection. His main dangers are likely to come from Ice Tea and Rakalackey - JB.

Selection: Laertes
Danger 1: Ice Tea
Danger 2: Rakalackey

Cheltenham 3:10 Cleanevent Handicap Hurdle (Listed) (4yo+) 3m1f

The forth leg is this tricky handicap hurdle over 3 miles and a furlong. Fair Along who has been campaigned over both hurdles and fences has another crack at the smaller obstacles, but over an unknown trip for him. It is 3f further than he has ever been before and he carries a fair weight. The 7lbs removed by the claiming jockey will help. Will his class carry him through? Doubts for me. Pride Of Dulcote represents the Nicholls/Walsh team. He won last time out over 3 miles but in nothing like the class of this race. That was his only career victory and has been prone to a mistake or two with Walsh on board. Valerius is the mount of AP McCoy. This Irish raider has a win over this distance and a 2nd place finish behind another runner in this race last time out. On that occasion he was beaten by Diablo. Both were on the same weight that day and both are matched again here. Everything points to Diablo being in front of Valerius again too. Powerstation won’t be inconvenienced by the soft going but carrying top weight may be too much even with a 5lbs claim removed. The Sliotar from the David Pipe yard has wins on soft but not at this level. Has won over 25f but Cheltenham on soft is very different from Southwell on good to firm. On a breeding point this race features a half brother to Azamour in the shape of Ardalan. He has won over 3 miles but again the class was not this standard. May find a few too good. Sullumo has form on soft ground to back up his claims here. He has never been out of the first 3 so far in his career and has a good shout of continuing that run. – VE

Selection: Diablo
Danger 1: Valerius
Danger 2: Sullumo

Wetherby 3:25 totescoop6 Millionaire Maker Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+,0-130)

Knockavilla is the favourite but could be anything. Unexposed and therefore a big risk but I fancy him to win here. Another unexposed horse is Edas but of the two Kockavilla has shown enough previously to be the selection. My dangers will come from Ela Re, who has had the benefit of a run and should enjoy conditions, European Dream or Smoothly Does It from the Jim Best yard. Overall a wide open race, I could bash on about all of them but luck will need to come into play, many in with chances but I'll side with Knockavilla with Ela Re and Smoothly Does It in the mix - AR.

Selection: Knockavilla
Danger 1: Ela Re
Danger 2: Smoothly Does It

Cheltenham 3:45 Racing UK Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+,0-125)

Another large field assembling for a Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham to be run over the extended 2 miles. The market looks very open with the likely favourite being a forecast 7/1, that horse, Busker Royal won a similar race to this at Aintree and goes up 6lbs for that effort. He has to be in with a cracking chance as he is lightly raced and open to plenty of improvement. He looks a typical hurdler as he is small and angular in build. His stable-mate Prince Du Beury is the selection though, this horse ran a cracker in defeat to Busker Royal last time. The impressive thing about his run was that he stayed on really nicely having been put into a poor position by his jockey, horses seldom pick up as well from off the pace at Aintree and because of that I think he should overturn the form with Busker Royal here, and as such he should take a lot of beating. Others in with chances are Keki Buki who won nicely last time out, but he will surely be a better chaser than hurdler as he is very leggy, whilst Hernando Boy ran a nice race behind American Trilogy last time out. However for me the main danger could come from the bottom weight Jocheski who ran a very interesting race last time out, he was heavily punted and only went down by a short head. He looks certain to improve for his run on the flat just 17 days ago and could go very close off a mark that seems very fair - JB.

Selection: Prince Du Beury
Danger 1: Busker Royal
Danger 2: Jocheski

1. Beat The Boys
2. Silverburn
3. Laertes
4. Diablo
5. Knockavilla
6. Prince Du Beury

November 8th - Fallout

anubisrich continued where he left off last week. Lets hope it rubs off on the rest of us with yet another roll over coming up. Good luck everyone.

Race 1: Dangers 1 & 2 finished 3rd & 4th.
Race 2: The Selection wins.
Race 3: Danger 2 finished best in 6th.
Race 4: Danger 1 finished best in 6th.
Race 5: Dangers 1 & 2 finished 2nd & 3rd.
Race 6: Danger 2 wins.

8th November

Doncaster 1:30 TOTESPORT.COM NURSERY (CLASS 4) (2yo,0-85)

Well a mere 16 runner nursery at Doncaster for us to study, with Harry Patch being a likely favourite. He won nicely at Nottingham in a maiden, but this gelding has been given a mark of 78 for his handicap debut, the form of that race has not really worked out and his sire is Lujain. Lujain is a stallion whose progeny I think go best on firmer ground, whilst the damsire is Indian Ridge who is another influence for firm ground progeny. Horses who have good handicap form are Lucky Numbers, Kingswinford and Count Paris. The latter is the selection, having won twice on soft ground and run nicely over this course last time out, that day he did not quite get home and finished a decent 4th, he runs off the same mark here and should go close. Lucky Numbers was a winner last time out on heavy ground, so this race should suit, however this is a more competitive race and the penalty could be too much of a burden. The final danger could be Final Salute who won a 15 runner handicap on his first attempt in handicap company, he overcame trouble in running that day and could provide a danger despite a 6lbs rise in the weights - JB.

Selection – Count Paris
Danger 1 – Lucky Numbers
Danger 2 – Final Salute

Doncaster 2:05 TOTESPORTCASINO.COM E B F GILLIES FILLIES' STAKES (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1) (3yo+)

A really weak event with many potential winners but I think it will be between mud loving Les Fazzani and Insaaf. The former is the better horse and is therefore taken as the selection. Classic Remark is the highest rated horse here by virtue of competing in a higher level and certainly cannot be ruled out but she needs to remember how to win again and whilst the ground isn't against her the stable isn't in form. Summer's Lease is unexposed and takes a step up in class here, could be anything and is chosen to fill the last spot - AR.

Selection: Les Fazzani
Danger 1: Insaaf
Danger 2: Summers Lease

Doncaster 2:35 Totesportgames.com Wentworth Stakes (Listed) (3yo+) 6f

A very nice 6 furlong Listed contest is next up with plenty holding chances, which isn’t what we like to hear! Conditions at Doncaster are set to be soft so horses with a liking for it are where we’ll start. The forecast favourite is Chief Editor who has been campaigned mainly on softer surfaces and the AW. Of his 5 lifetime victories, 2 were on the AW and 2 on Good to soft. His last run was a win over this 6f trip but on good to firm ground. Whether he can see out the trip in more testing conditions remains to be seen and I’m going to look for the winner elsewhere. Judge ‘N Jury has been in red hot form recently and won’t be put off by the soft conditions. What may put him off is running a furlong further through those soft conditions. All 7 of his wins have been over 5f and the best finish when run further was 3rd in a 2year old Class 5 maiden. Another I’m opposing. Main Aim scored over course and distance on soft in September. His last run was too short so a step back up to 6f should suit. In the frame. Zidane’s last win came in Listed class at the start of the season. Since then he has been campaigned in all Group levels. He has won on soft over 6f so that won’t be a problem. He is re-united with Jamie Spencer who is on a good run right now and who was in the saddle for that last victory. Angus Newz is a listed winner who has won in the worst conditions possible. A return to the form of her Chester win will see her go close. A couple of outsiders to consider are Perfect Flight and Perfect Polly. I’ll try not to mix them up. Perfect Flight is a consistent soft ground performer. 6f is the ideal trip and could offer some E/W value. Perfect Polly is a Listed winner who hasn’t had too hard a season. Was not quite good enough in Group 3 company but a return to Listed level may see improvement - VE.

Selection: Zidane
Danger 1: Main Aim
Danger 2: Perfect Polly

Doncaster 3:10 £2 MILLION TOTESCOOP6 NOVEMBER HANDICAP (HERITAGE HANDICAP) (CLASS 2) (3yo+)

This mile and a half handicap is just as problematic as the previous weeks have been and will be no surprise if there’s another roll over. The current market leader is Electrolyser. Carrying bottom weight he has already won a handicap over this distance in soft ground. His lack of experience is a concern but hopefully he will have improved from his last win. At the other end of the weights is Previs. The mount of Ryan Moore, Previs is untried over this distance. His wins have come over 10f and never on anything this soft. Avoid. The Betchworth Kid has been winning over further than this trip. His stamina will hopefully come in to play in the conditions. First Avenue is another who is lightly weighted. Soft ground won’t hinder his chances either and should go close. Young Mick has been a solid performer but may well be too high in the weights to figure here. He gets the 12f no problem and soft ground won’t bother him. Had he been lower in the weights then almost a cert for a place. Menwaal is an interesting Irish raider. His last run brought a win over the mile and a half in soft conditions. As mentioned in the previous preview Jamie Spencer, who takes the mount, has his confidence back and is riding as good as ever -VE.

Selection: Electrolyser
Danger 1: First Avenue
Danger 2: Menwaal

Wincanton 3:25 BADGER ALES TROPHY (HANDICAP CHASE) (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1)

A listed Chase which is full of potential improvers, whatever wins this race will be one to keep on the right side of. The market probably will be headed by the familiar partnership of Nicholls and Walsh, this time with Leading Attraction, a lightly raced second season chaser, who is bound to improve for his racing this year. He is on handicap debut here and has to be feared. Another second season chaser is Island Flyer who finished last season in superlative form, winning three in a row. This is a step up in class for the horse but the horse is at the bottom of the handicap and is open to plenty of improvement. However, the selection is an Alan King horse ridden by Robert Thornton, Trigger The Light. This horse is unbeaten over chase fences and has some very nice hurdling form in the book, add to this the yards great form and he looks like a solid selection in a trappy race - JB.

Selection: Trigger The Light
Danger 1: Island Flyer
Danger 2: Leading Attraction

Doncaster 3:45 TOTESPORTBINGO.COM HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (3yo+,0-100)

Axiom and Medici Pearl should be the two market leaders here and the ground is in their favour. Although it is a drop in trip for Axiom I still think the quality is there and he should get up on the line. There to profit if he doesn't will be Medici Pearl or perhaps Charm School but the latter was held by Axiom last time out and you can't see any reason why that will be reversed. Medici Pearl is consistent, if he can apply that to a higher grade he should go close. At much longer odds Invincible Force is low down in the weights for this step up in trip and could be interesting. He certainly has the ability it's just whether, in a field this size, the pace will be too strong.

Selection: Axiom
Danger 1: Medici Pearl
Danger 2: Invincible Force

1. Count Paris
2. Les Fazzani
3. Zidane
4. Electrolyser
5. Trigger The Light
6. Axiom

November 1st - Fallout

Well we finally have a selection that wins outright! Plenty of Dangers have been picked out and won but at last we got one right! anubisrich takes the honour! Here's how we did.

Race 1: Dangers were highest placed in 6th & 7th.
Race 2: Danger 2 beats the selection with danger 1 in 3rd.
Race 3: Danger 1 was 2nd.
Race 4: The Selection wins beating Danger 1 by a neck.
Race 5: Danger 1 was best in 6th.
Race 6: Danger 1 wins with danger 2 in 3rd.