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