The Cob wins under Daryl Jacob at Doncaster
The Cob wins under Daryl Jacob at Doncaster

Live Racing Blog | Latest news, tips and chat from around the country


Sean Quinlan enjoyed another big Saturday success at Doncaster where Shishkin was the undoubted star of the show. Recap the action.


All times BST, please refresh for updates


1633: That's all from me today and there's really not too much to reflect on. Ben Linfoot will be analysing the best of the action and that will be available on site very shortly.

With luck the weather will improve over the next week or so to allow us to enjoy a little more racing and perhaps see the Cotswold Chase and Cleeve Hurdle hosted at new venues. There's also some top-class action ahead with the Dublin Racing Festival.

Thank you for your company.


1625: Marshmallo would be the one at the prices for me at Doncaster having shown some promise at Warwick on debut. Billams Legacy and Teescomponents Lass are more obvious threats to the odds-on favourite as the flag is raised.

Entering the final mile. The favourite appears to have lost her position and got a shake of the reins. The second and third favourites are still behind her. Marshmallo and Legendary Grace lead from Step To The Top but Billams Legacy takes the eye.

The latter hits the front. Marshmallo comes back and sees the race our really well. It's a winner for Richard Johnson and Henry Daly and she is returned at 20/1. Step To The Top was third.

The winner is from the family of Grand National winner Party Politics and looks to have a future. Three of the last four winners were returned at 25/1, 40/1 and 20/1 - hats off if you found them.

1616: There's a long odds-on favourite at Kempton in Highland Avenue.

Year Of The Dragon failed to provide another winning boost to his form at Lingfield but this grey son of Dubawi looks to have a bright future. There's not an awful lot in the way of opposition with Silent Film a stablemate of the market leader and next best in the betting.

Whoever is on Racing TV (sorry, don't recognise the voice) believes Silent Film looks far more the finished article. That may not help him if he can't run as quickly. This could be a one-two for Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle who partner the first two in the betting.

They're slow to load there and it won't be long until the last from Doncaster on Sky Bet Chase day.

Step To The Top sets a very good standard to aim at but no favourite has won any of the four previous renewals of the mares' bumper and there are some interesting and viable alternatives.

He may not have beaten anything at all but Highland Avenue won very nicely at Kempton. It will be interesting to see where he goes next.


1606: From one gamble to another and the finale at Lingfield where It's A Love Thing was a morning gamble.

Adam Kirby was seen to good effect in the preceding race, can he finish the card with a quickfire double?

At Doncaster, Jim McGrath thinks the first past the post will keep the race but that has to go upstairs.

What are the chances of Sergeant Major remaining a colt for much longer? The son of Siyouni is owned by The Queen but with a rating of just 58, he's got a long way to go to make a stallion. He is, at least, reasonably strong in the market for Richard Hannon and Rossa Ryan despite being drawn in 12 of 12.

Cieren Fallon is 2/4 for Michael Bell in 2021 which is obviously a very small sample but Lochanthem comes from a good family at least and the yard is in form. Perhaps she could step up? Loading fast.

It's A Love Thing jumps well and is settled in behind the pace. Lochanthem also prominent behind the leaders. Sergeant Major has three behind. Lochanthem under pressure early as Angel Mill leads into the straight. It's A Love Thing hits the front on the inside before wandering into the centre of the track. Oohh. They're caught on the line by Vina Bay (10/1). I feel your pain if you were on the second.

1551: Nick Kent saddled the 150/1 second in the first but won't be winning this as leading fancy Who's In The Box is no longer lining up. Does that leave the way clear for the gambled on Coral?

Special Acceptance ran a blinder in the Sussex National so won't fail for stamina. The Late Legend has been backed into favouritism. How about Horatio Hornblower at a big price? He probably should have fared a little better at Warwick the last day but.....he is well weighted on some of his old form, including a victory over C&D.

The Late Legend is going to try and make every yard. Seven down (fences), 11 to go. Ten Sixty has lost his position. Mercian Knight keeps being pushed up to challenge The Late Legend and hasn't made life easy for him. The Late Legend has seen off that challenge though. There's just Special Acceptance left. They've come close together over three out and two out as The Late Legend jumped to his right, he did so again at the last but by then he'd gone two lengths up again. Special Acceptance did rally on the run-in but was half a length down at the line.

The winner is returned a very well backed 7/2 favourite. That's his fifth win since October and came from a mark of 112 - the first win came from 77. The stewards are going to have a look though.

1539: Sean Quinlan: "He's usually very slow away so I'll just get him winging and let him sit and travel. He's jumped and travelled. He's winged the last and galloped the whole way to the line. Aye Right was in front a long way and was probably just waiting for something."

Quinlan added that he thought Takingrisks took a blow approaching three out and had run his race.

The winner has already won a Scottish National and could be heading back to Ayr.

"He's got what all racehorses need, he's got the heart of a lion," adds Nicky Richards who, I've just learned, was ill earlier this winter and he paid fulsome complement to the NHS staff.

They're running at Kempton for another four runner race where I'm Available was odds-on on the last show I saw. The jolly finished a not so jolly last of four as Lady Alavesa wins at 6/1.

Harriet Graham has just given an entertaining interview on ITV Racing. I'll post a link if they tweet it.

1531: You've got to feel for Aye Right and his connections given he also finished second at Newbury. That's another fine run.

His jockey lost his whip but Quinlan on the winner also lost a rein at some point in the action packed finish.

I'm interested in Atheeb at Lingfield as he shaped quite nicely on debut for George Boughey and is a very interesting recruit to an up and coming stable. He's only second favourite behind the hat-trick seeking Catch My Breath.

Mohareb has been slipping down the weights but has yet to win over this trip. Loading well underway.

Visibility isn't great, even with the help of the TV cameras. Catch My Breath will have to pass the whole field. Remarkable. The whole field were covered by about two lengths at the line. Adam Kirby and Lethal Lunch (14/1) narrowly prevailed on his second start for Michael Bell in a race that the handicapper must be delighted with.

1521: They're off.

The Butcher Said, who often travels well but doesn't do a lot off the bridle, is in rear as Mister Malarky leads.

Boldmere nearly unseated Sean Bowen at the first and he's now last, he's got time to work back into it but it doesn't make his task any easier. He's not been good at the next two fences and could have lost his confidence. Musical Slave still doesn't look a natural over his fences. It will be some effort if he's involved in the finish. Boldmere won't be, he's been pulled up.

Aye Right has jumped into the lead. One For The Team being pushed. Mister Malarky driven back into the lead at the 11th but is outjumped by Aye Right again. Give Me A Copper gets a reminder but is in contention. Seven to jump.

Cap du Nord creeps closer. Aye Right moves well. Rocky's Treasure tailed off. Musical Slave unseats Richard Johnson. Mister Malarky backpedals. Aye Right leads from Cap Du Nord and Takingrisks, three to jump. Canelo fourth but five lengths down. Aye Right leads at the last but Takingrisks joins him and goes on to win by three parts of a length or so.

The winner is returned at 40/1 for Nicky Richards and Sean Quinlan who enjoys another big Saturday winner. He is the first 12-year-old to win the Sky Bet Handicap Chase in over 50 runnings.

It may or may not have made a difference but Callum Bewley on the second dropped his whip.


1515: How many are going to finish the Sky Bet Chase?

The runners in the preceding race found it tough going and stamina is going to be key.

Canelo hasn't done a lot of racing at this trip but after Wetherby, Tom Cannon said that he felt there was more to come over this sort of test and I'm surprised he's available at 15/2. I'd rather back him at that price than Cap du Nord at 4s for all that the favourite is greatly respected.

Aye Right is respected and a good run from him could advertise Cloth Cap's Grand National claims, a race that the favourite could end up contesting. One For The Team continues to attract support but just hasn't caught my imagination, I'm not convinced he's that well treated but perhaps his stable is enjoying a slight upturn in fortunes.

Boldmere continues to shorten but Musical Slave is taking a walk in the market and is out to 13/2.

1507: Daryl Jacob: "He travelled through the race very comfortably, he jumps really nicely and turning for home there were only two or three really that had a chance. He's got some nice form, the Haydock form is good."

It's not impossible that The Cob could be supplemented for the Albert Bartlett. Apparently there's a share available in the winner if you fancy it.

There were five runners at Lingfield but there are only four to run the rule over at Kempton, none can be easily dismissed.

Deep Impression leads in first time cheekpieces. Something Enticing is cajoled along to try and challenge, in the same headgear, but doesn't look too keen. Muay Thai is on the inside and Semper Augustus comes from rear but Hollie Doyle gets a great tune out of Something Enticing who does put her best foot forwards and her head in front on the line. That's a good ride on a filly who clearly has ability but looks to lack something in resolution. It's a double on the card for the jockey.

1457: A reasonably valuable 0-95 at Lingfield sees Pirate King bid to avenge a C&D defeat at odds-on. He's not much longer this time around. With the exception of Just The Man, it's quite tight in the market behind him. In a sign of changing times, the second favourite is trained by Alan King who will be represented by Canelo at Doncaster in a short while.

Alan Howes with the call. The favourite is one of the last to jump and Hydroplane appears to lead almost by default. It's going to be interesting when the pace quickens but in a small field there shouldn't be any hard luck stories. Luke Morris winds the pace up racing down hill but is tracked throughout by Renardeau. Midnights Legacy goes up the inside but is collared by Pirate King (10/11 fav) on the outside and he gets home in front this time around.

1443: I was quite keen on Pats Fancy in the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle but that faith is weakening with every point that he drifts and he's more than doubled in price since the first shows.

I was also keen to take on Ask A Honey Bee (behind Pats Fancy at Cheltenham) but he's as strong in the market as Pats Fancy is weak. Ashtown Lad has also been backed to bounce back. Bobhopeornohope and Fern Hill were the other two on my short-list but I've ripped that up and thrown it in the bin.

I can't see any reason for Pats Fancy's drift. His Cheltenham form is solid, his bumper form has had a boost (Alaphilippe) as has his hurdling win on his penultimate start and he should handle the testing ground. Hmmm.

Emir Sacree is on his toes but won't want to race too keenly if he's to get home over this new trip. He duly jumps off in the lead.

Exploiteur is being given a patient ride and has only one behind. Circuit to run, no drama to report although Mark Johnson said that Pats Fancy needed to be ridden away from the turn. Bobhopeornohope joins the leader but the field are tightly grouped.

Three to jump. Pats Fancy loses his position and is one of the first to come under pressure. Ashtown Lad ridden. Bobhopeornohope and Ask A Honey Bee drop out quickly. Exploiteur has hit the front along with The Cob and Shang Tang.

The Cob (25/1) leads and will win if he jumps the last. Ben Pauling has enjoyed success in the race in the past but with more fancied runners than this one. It's a third success in the River Don for the handler. Daryl Jacob did the steering.

Not many relished that ground it seems. A lot of runners dropped out very quickly at the top of the straight. Emir Sacree can be marked up I think as he, and Castle Robin, were the only two of the pacemakers to keep going; indeed Castle Robin eventually finished third.


1431: There's no money for Mandarin at Kempton and, probably, for good reason. I thought he shaped with a little encouragement at Sandown back in August but that proved wide of the mark and he's since switched stables and continued his climb down the ratings.

Hint Of Stars looks to be going in the other direction and is a relatively short price on the back of his course victory last time.

Skerryvore is another with lots to prove but the booking of Tom Marquand by James Fanshawe (13 winners from 49 rides for the yard) takes the eye and perhaps he could be worth chancing at a big price. More obvious claims are held by My Boy Sepoy who has been backed.

Hint Of Stars (6/4 fav) leads from Catbird Seat. Turning for home. Leader stretches clear. He didn't really extend his lead ultimately but did maintain an advantage of around two lengths to the line with Where's Tom his nearest pursuer.

That was all very straightforward, as it was for the first favourite at Kempton.

1416: Miranda is progressive and that's a suitable adjective to describe Power Over Me who has won his last three.

We touched on Global Prospector earlier but, in contrast to his winning stablemate, he's proving easy to back in the run-up to off time.

The favourite was very impressive on Sunday and is effectively only 2lbs higher. He's raced on the 14th, 21st and 24th of this month and I suppose there could be a doubt as to whether a busy period will catch up with him.

There are little bits of each-way money, seemingly, for a couple of those priced around double figures as some of the outsiders contract but the favourite is very, very solid.

Harry Cobden has just appeared on Sky Sports Racing and says of Miranda: "She's going the right way and if she keeps improving, who knows where she will end up."

And on Give Me A Copper in the Sky Bet Chase: "I think he's got a good chance."

Maybe the busy period has caught up with the favourite as he was only third behind Cappananty Con (10/1) and Swiss Pride.

Global Prospector took the favourite wide coming into the straight as he failed to handle the turn but I don't think Kieran O'Neill looked too happy anyway and his mount didn't really pick up for all that he kept on. Global Prospector's move did provide a lovely gap for Swiss Pride but that wasn't enough.

1406: Mick Fitzgerald is prepared to give Marie's Rock another chance and she is joint-favourite alongside stablemate Floressa. I think there are reasonable reasons for taking on the first three in the market which translates as I have no idea what's going to win the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle.

Marie's Rock seems to have settled reasonably well in her hood. Sopat leads from Floressa who races comfortably. She's tracked by Miranda while Irish Roe races on their inside. Marie's Rock is being asked to close the gap on the field but she's well in touch at the top of the straight. Five furlongs to run and Floressa goes on. She has Miranda for company and the Nicholls runner appears to be going the better of the pair. Miranda (3/1) jumps into the lead at the last and wins by around four lengths.

Very few got into that and I'm not sure this race will have as much of an impact on future events as it did when it was won by Annie Power.

1349: There are no immediate post-race interviews from Doncaster and we should be off to Lingfield shortly; they're already loading in fact.

Desert Boots leads. Mutahamisa (15/8 fav) was three or four wide on the home turn but Cameron Noble always looked very confident and calm in the saddle and the favourite duly picked up well in the straight. River Wharfe pushed the winner all the way thought and the result did go to the judge without ever really looking in doubt.

Over to Kempton for a decent two mile handicap where Amtiyaz is all the rage at 5/4. It's 7/1 bar and with 10 runners facing the starter there's scope for an each-way play and Hasanabad and Vibrance are two that make some appeal to me.

Nico de Boinville has just appeared on ITV and wasn't worried at all about Shishkin edging left - 'that's just him' - remarking that sometimes he jumps right, another day left and another straight.

"He's very laid back. It wasn't until he heard Jonjo giving his mount a slap down the neck that he came alive beneath me. I am very excited."

Ed Chamberlin reports that he won in a good time which takes us back to Jim McGrath's comment about his deceptive racing style. He just does it so easily.

Four to load at Kempton. ITV are showing replays of Allaho and the Cheveley Park silks are racing in third at Kempton behind Rochester House and Charlie D. The windscreen wipers are on on the vehicle that tracks the field and it doesn't look very pleasant there. The favourite is close up in a share of third on the rail. They're about to sprint in the straight.

Amtiyaz (5/4) hits the front and lands the money in good style. Dal Horrisgle may just have edged out Vibrance for second with Koeman and Cleonte others that were close up but there was only every going to be one winner.

1338: It's almost Shishkin time.

They're off and Est Ilic leads from Eldorado Allen. Shishkin is in fourth, on the outside of Fast Buck. They've jumped three. He edged left a little at the fourth, a ditch, and bumped Fast Buck. He appeared to go a little left at the next too. Fast Buck has fallen and Est Ilic is beaten.

Shishkin again edged left, only marginally. He eases into the lead, before the third last which is a long way out. He was pretty straight at the last three. It's remarkable how easily he has won that. Eldorado Allen actually kept on reasonably well, certainly better than I thought he might do once headed. The winner has yet to be put any pressure over fences and the question remains, what happens when (if?) he is.

Jim McGrath comments that 'he's quite deceptive' in his racing style which is, not surprisingly, a neat way of putting it.

1325: Shishkin is already odds-on for the Sporting Life Arkle and I don't know how much more we can learn about him this afternoon.

Cheddleton was a possible pace angle to the race (as well as an interesting rival with a rating of 149) but is absent which leaves a question as to who will take them along and how much pace will be put to the contest.

This is just his third start over fences and his first away from Kempton. There's much discussion of his physical appearance with phrases such as light-boned, attractive and intelligent being bandied about with the consensus that there's nothing too striking about him.

On a different note, the above tweet has just been brought to my attention. Extraordinary.

On a side note, wasn't it nice to see some blue sky? Summer feels a long time ago.

1316: Jason Dixon tells Hayley Moore that both he (after injury) and the winner are on the comeback trail and that the hope (for both) is for better days to come.

On the ground, he said: "Quite tiring, the track has given us as much new ground as possible but it's quite dead and tacky and struggling to get through it."

There are a lot of minus figures on the weather map currently showing on my TV but hopefully Shishkin can warm us up in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Lightning Novices' Chase which comes up in about quarter of an hour.

Hayley Turner on the Big Narstie: "He's still a little bit green, when he got to the front turning in he had a good look about. He's improving and I think there's more to come as well. He's got a great attitude, pretty straightforward."


1310: An odds-on favourite was turned over in the preceding race at Lingfield, will Perfect Focus suffer the same fate?

The winner seemed somewhat ironically named as my ageing eyes struggled to refocus from screen to newspaper but his chance is there for all to see. Big Narstie impressed Jason Weaver in the preliminaries and ran well at Deauville on debut, form that Weaver thinks is the best on show.

They raced in one and two but Give 'Em The Slip belied signs of inexperience to challenge between the pair in the straight.

She hit the front but Big Narstie (5/2) got rolling under Hayley Turner and ran on strongly to win by about half a length.

I'm told Mark Johnson made reference to the sea breeze during commentary at Doncaster which, I'm also told, 'is about 50 miles from the coast'. That tickles me. I haven't checked any of it for accuracy but why let facts get in the way.

1300: The flag is raised and they're off is the call at Doncaster.

Sayar cuts out the early running from Lemon T. Dorking Boy and Keep Rolling are in third and fourth. The latter is again showing a tendency to race keenly according to commentator Mark Johnson. Keep Rolling hasn't always had a great sight of his hurdles on the inside and has made a few mistakes, he's struggling but Sayar has gone further clear.

Dorking Boy and Sunset West attempt to give chase, they've four lengths to find. At the last and they're reeling the leader in.

Dorking Boy (13/2) goes past the gallant Sayar and wins by a couple of lengths.

A winner for Tom Lacey and Jason Dixon but a good run from Nick Kent's horse at 150/1 (!!) in second which bodes well for Who's In The Box in the Sky Bet Money Back As Cash Handicap Chase.

1244: There's a little longer to wait for Doncaster than the morning papers suggest with revised race times following the various abandonments. The off times are now: Race 1 – 1300 R2 – 1340 R3 – 1410 R4 – 1445 R5 – 1520 R6 – 1555.

The bumper wasn't included on that BHA tweet so presumably remains at 1625.

The money in this opening race has been for Sunset West who is an unexposed runner. He was over 11 lengths behind Ask A Honey Bee three starts ago and chased home last weekend's Ascot chase winner Enqarde last time.

Keep Rolling features on the ITV tweet below, getting the vote from Mick Fitzgerald, and carries the colours of the Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club!

Is that just the hopeful optimism of an owner? He beat Edwardstone in a Warwick bumper and was a short price for a hot race at Newbury in that sphere where the first three home were McFabulous, Faustinovick and Silver Hallmark. He was disappointing on his handicap debut at Wincanton but that race may well have been stronger than this one and he has attracted support in the market. He's vying for second favouritism alongside Dash Of Blue.

Dorking Boy also ran below expectations last time but is back to a winning mark and is another to have attracted support; not long now.

1234: The runners are leaving the paddock for the second at Lingfield.

I'm reliably informed that during his post-race interview, Darragh Keenan was very positive about Global Prospector (1420) but that their blog (owner? trainer? I haven't checked) said the horse has got ability but has had problems.

Meanwhile Year of the Dragon continues to shorten and is now 4/6. Jason Weaver thinks trainer William Knight has found a good opportunity for his relatively new recruit; Lamorna Cove is his idea of an each-way runner against the market leader.

This race sees Martin Harley return to action after a spell on the sidelines and his mount Epic Express is a market mover.

Blue Beret proving difficult to load. Can't say I blame her, I poked my nose out of the door this morning and it wasn't very pleasant out there.

The favourite needed to be ridden to hold an early position and had to settle for fifth on the rail. Valentinka stole a few lengths on the turn but was collared on the line by Red Evelyn (66/1) with Year of the Dragon flashing home for third (or second).


1226: I've had the radio on this morning and they played Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy earlier.

Remember this controversial renewal of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper?

2002 Weatherbys Champion Bumper Standard Open NH Flat Race

1214: The aforementioned Year Of The Dragon is odds-on to follow up his maiden win at Kempton and this doesn't appear to be the strongest novice with there being few signs of market confidence behind his rivals.

Pablo Prince is one exception (40s into 16s) but doesn't stand out on paper and this race may be best left to the favourite.

It's rather surprising that Cap du Nord is no longer the outright favourite for the Sky Bet Chase as he does stand out on paper with the form of his Kempton second working out so well. He'd previously beaten Canelo at Newbury and is only 6lbs worse off at the weights after Alan King's runner earned his own rise in the weights when going one better at Haydock.

Both runners merit serious consideration and certainly hold more concrete claims than the well backed Musical Slave who, like Canelo, carries the colours of JP McManus. The latter went into my My Stable tracker a couple of years back as a novice hurdler and proved progressive in that sphere but he hasn't looked a natural over fences and jumped poorly at Newbury last time, for all that he wasn't beaten far.

Maybe going back up in trip will help his fencing and he is unexposed at a distance with his sole run over three miles resulting in a good second to Sam's Adventure. I still feel that the other pair hold more solid claims and the money for Musical Slave has seen both pushed out to appealing prices.

1206: That's a good start to the day for some and it's certainly been a good start for Chris Dwyer since he returned to the training ranks. Quite a few of his winners, including that one, have been well backed and it will be worth watching the market ahead of the run of Global Prospector (1420) on debut for the stable.

He has been as big as 20/1 but currently resides at around 9/1 so the fancy prices have already been snapped up and he faces an odds-on favourite in the progressive Power Over Me.

Keenan has just been interviewed on Sky Sports Racing and said he was surprised how well Capla Crusader picked up for him.


1200: They're at the start at Lingfield and it's 11/2 bar the market leader who has to overcome an outside draw; not too long to find out if he can.

Capla Crusader has broken much more sharply than last time which bodes well but Arabic Welcome tracks him through.

Capla Cruader stole a couple of lengths on the turn under a good ride from Darragh Keenan and that made a big difference as he had about the same margin in hand of the strong-finishing Dawn Treader who made a good start for new connections; Arabic Welcome was third.

1149: I won't be around for the end of Kempton's card (sorry) which takes us into the early evening having not got underway until 1400. That opening race is a decent staying handicap where Vibrance attracted some support last night for James Fanshawe and highly promising apprentice Benoit De La Sayette (whose father works for Fanshawe as he explains in a good interview above).

Fanshawe has enjoyed some big days with mares but the daughter of Nathaniel will need to post a career best to win a warm race and it's easy to see why connections have opted to claim.

De La Sayette teams up with another new name making waves in the second where he rides Hint Of Stars for Kevin Phillpart de Foy.

He is only 2/5 but it may still be worth watching Highland Avenue in the maiden as he's out of the brilliant Lumiere and a son of Dubawi. He went close on debut and the third has won since and runs in the 1235 at Lingfield. He's bred to go to the top and some very smart performers have cut their teeth on the winter all-weather circuit in recent seasons.

1135: The waiting is nearly over and I hope you're managing to contain the excitement ahead of the 0-65 handicap which kicks off Lingfield's card.

There is a short priced favourite in Arabic Welcome but I'm quite interested in Capla Crusader who has his second start for Chris Dwyer. There were bits and pieces of money for him over C&D last time and he caught the eye finishing well after being slow into stride. He's a stone lower than he was 12 months ago so is certainly well treated and a more experienced apprentice takes over in the saddle.

He's not been the most consistent and this trip may be on the short side but he still makes some appeal as an each-way option against the jolly.

Graeme McPherson has a runner here (Dawn Treader, first run for the yard, who is ridden by the in-form Laura Pearson) and in the contrasting River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster. The Cotswolds handler writes about both runners in his latest blog post (see above).

1130: It's going to look (and probably feel) like a long way home up the Doncaster straight given the underfoot conditions and we could, hopefully, be in for some exciting finishes.

Ben Linfoot has gone through the formbook to unearth a few runners who could well appreciate the ground and you can read his article by clicking on the image below.

Above this post you can find a tweet from Great British Racing and a link to Harry Cobden's view on his rides on Town Moor.

You can never have enough information can you?

They race at Doncaster on Saturday

1110: The market movers from Paddy Power and Sky Bet have dropped and are as follows (with the former firm first and the latter layers' odds displayed as decimals):

Lingfield

1420 Global Prospector 9/1 from 20s

1530 Mohareb 11/2 from 13/2

Doncaster

1330 Shishkin 1/5 from 2/9

1405 Miranda 9/4 from 11/4

1440 Ask A Honey Bee 9/2 from 6s

1515 Musical Slave 4/1 from 6s

Lingfield

1200 Arabic Welcome 2.2 from 2.75

1310 Perfect Focus 1.9091 from 2.375

1605 It's A Love Thing 5.5 from 13 (Paying 4 places instead of 3)

Doncaster

1405 Miranda 3 from 3.75 (Money Back As Cash If Your Horse Finishes 2nd - T's & C's Apply)

1440 Ask A Honey Bee 5 from 7 (Paying 5 Places instead of 3)

1515 Boldmere 7.5 from 17 (Paying 5 Places instead of 3)

1550 Coral 8 from 21 (Paying 4 Places instead of 3)

Kempton

1620 Silent Film 4.3333 from 7.5

1655 Dusty Damsel 4.5 from 6 and Jeanette May 3.25 from 4.3333

1800 Aria Rose 3.5 from 7

1056: Talking of Ben Case (which I hadn't but he does train Fern Hill), his runner in the opening Visit attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle caught the eye as earlier in the season I stumbled across Case's record when booking leading conditional Bryan Carver (I just typed Carvery by accident - I don't know what that says about my subconscious).

The pair have joined forces on 17 occasions and have won six times (with two seconds and a third) which is not a record to be sniffed at although they were out of luck at Fakenham this week. Case has had a fairly quiet fortnight but his horses were running well prior to that and Dash Of Blue (who has been off since disappointing at Fakenham by chance) could have more to offer after just seven starts over hurdles.

Listen to our latest Weekend Best bets podcast
Listen to our latest Weekend Best bets podcast

1040: The Lightning Novices' Chase is a Grade Two and is the first of three on the card.

Marie's Rock is arguably the most interesting runner in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle given the hopes that were entertained for her as a novice. There weren't many positives to be gleaned from her reappearance though and she appears to have been rejected by Nico de Boinville (who rides Floressa) but that hasn't worried the layers who have her shorter than her stablemate.

She shouldn't be written off after one bad run obviously but I couldn't entertain backing her. The course form of Irish Roe brings her into the equation as this is a track where she's regularly produced her best performances. I'm not entirely convinced by Miranda either - although she did show plenty of heart in defeat at Musselburgh last time - and the race looks fairly trappy to my eye.

I hold more positive thoughts about the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle although I was struggling to whittle down the field to an actual wager. Pats Fancy, second in a Cheltenham Grade Two last time, holds a couple of rivals on the form of his latest run and beat last week's good Ascot winner Gladiateur Allen prior to that and Rebecca Curtis knows a thing or two about training stayers. I'm surprised he's easy to back at 11/2 and that he's a longer price than the re-opposing Ask A Honey Bee.

Bobhopeornohope and Fern Hill have both shown a reasonable level of form and could improve further for this stiffer test (plus experience) and were the other two to interest me but there's not a huge difference in price between the former and Pats Fancy and I'm beginning to talk myself into a bet on the latter. Time to walk away!

Get a free month of Racing TV
Get a free month of Racing TV. Click on the image for details.

1030: While scanning Twitter for pretty pictures of Shishkin to bring you, I see that Brain Power's retirement was announced yesterday. He had a decent old career but his former stablemate is just beginning and hopefully we'll see another faultless performance from Shishkin in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Lightning Novices' Chase.

Two of his rivals are rated 149 so they're no mugs (Royal Pagaille and First Flow were rated 156 last Saturday) but the expectation is that they will be outclassed by the seven-year-old who is already rated 162 and that's without being pushed anywhere near his limit (or so it has seemed) over fences.

We don't have to rewind too far (Allart last week) to see what can go wrong though.


1015: The Sky Bet and Paddy Power market movers will be along shortly but here are a randomly selected few from the Oddschecker pages.

Coral (1550 Doncaster, high of 22s > 8s) has been warm on his second start since a wind operation; Alastair Ralph has enjoyed a pretty decent season and has a decent strike rate (4/18) when Sam Twiston-Davies rides. This is only Coral's third start for the yard since arriving from France.

David Evans' string has been in good form too and It's A Love Thing (1605 Lingfield, 16/1 > 11/2) has been well supported on his move into handicap company; he hasn't exactly shone thus far but steps up a couple of furlongs in trip.

Musical Slave and Boldmere are both proving popular in the Sky Bet Chase and the former is vying for favouritism alongside Cap Du Nord and One For The Team. The latter is a course and distance winner who hasn't really struck form this season (beaten favourite the last twice) but he's slipping down the weights and is still relatively unexposed.

1010: It's not quite what we envisaged last week is it?

But you have to play the cards you're dealt and it's a jolly good thing that Doncaster has 'beaten' the weather while there's some added interest supplied by the cards from Kempton and Lingfield - perhaps there's room for a new racing programme based around them called Park Life.

Or perhaps not.


Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefitsWhite Chevron
Sporting Life Plus Logo

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING