DONCASTER'S jumps card will feature the quickest ground that the course has had in January for years and it will interesting to see how Kim Bailey’s charge Diamond Gait performs away from the testing conditions of Newbury last time.
Laura Morgan was one of my trainers to follow this season and with three winners from the last five runners I’m looking forward to my nap Thomas Todd obliging at Doncaster!
On Friday I’m off to Huntingdon, a course where I always enjoy a day’s racing and there are plenty of entries too. Saturday sees Warwick’s Classic Chase Day and I’m looking forward to presenting at one of my local courses, for what looks like a highly competitive renewal of their feature.
Last year Bryony Frost produced one of the best rides of 2018 to win the Classic Chase, guiding Milansbar to victory with a wonderful judgement of pace.
See you there!
2.45 Doncaster Hurdles 2m ½f
DIAMOND GAIT is the one to beat on the figures and she can defy a penalty dropped back in grade. She won on hurdling debut at Ludlow in November and then ran well in a Listed Mares ‘contest at Newbury, finishing fourth in ground conditions that were far more testing than the good conditions today, which will suit.
Unibet win 6/5
3.05 Lingfield
INDIAN AFFAIR wasn’t disgraced last time out at Wolverhampton and can take advantage of stall one in a race which looks short of obvious front runners.
The booking of Robert Winston is interesting too and whilst this nine-year-old course and distance winner doesn’t win that often these days, a mark of 56 gives him each-way claims at minimum.
Unibet each-way 10/1
3.15 Doncaster Chase 3m 2f
THOMAS TODD (nap) might continue to climb up the ratings, yet he still looks more than capable of delivering plenty more improvement.
Ex pointer Thomas Todd joined Laura Morgan’s yard last November and kicked off impressively with an eye-catching success at Musselburgh at 22/1, followed by a good second at Fakenham to an unexposed type, finishing well clear of the third.
This is more competitive, though Laura Morgan’s yard is flying and she has a tremendous record with her chasers.
Unibet win 9/2
3.40 Lingfield 1m 2f
HIGHWAY ONE caught the eye travelling strongly at Kempton last time out but didn’t really see his race out, so this drop back in trip and the addition of first-time cheekpieces can put her right in the mix in an open looking contest.
Unibet 6-1 each way
3.50 Doncaster
PETRONELLA MANNERS is a gorgeous looking mare that’s not hit the heights yet, but her close second to Presenting Pearl in a competitive novice hurdle last March shows she’s capable when she puts it together. Takes a drop down in grade after being far from disgraced behind Sensulano at Ascot, and that with ground conditions to suit, plus the addition of cheekpieces, can see her get off the mark
Unibet win 9/2
