With the Cheltenham Trials meeting abandoned due to waterlogging on Saturday, a strong renewal of the £75,000 Sky Bet Handicap Chase takes centre stage at Doncaster where MUSICAL SLAVE looks interesting at the foot of the weights.
Considering that a two-and-a-half mile trip on good ground would have been too much of a speed test, the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding did well to be beaten just over three lengths off his current mark when fifth to Clondaw Castle on his Newbury reappearance in November.
Musical Slave, a decent third to Caribean Boy and The Big Bite over the same trip but in heavy ground at Haydock last February, probably ran his best race over fences a month later when just over a length second to Sam's Adventure over this three-mile trip at Uttoxeter (also heavy). The winner, successful in the Tommy Whittle Chase in December, is now 10lb higher whereas the selection is up just 4lb with the potential for further improvement.
In addition, I like the form of the Hobbs team with three winners from their last nine runners plus an excellent comeback from Jerrysback at Ascot last Saturday.
As with all of these, Musical Slave is potentially vulnerable to the obvious favourite Cap Du Nord who could be well ahead of the handicapper after his Kempton defeat by last week's Peter Marsh winner Royale Pagaille.
However, the Christian Williams-trained gelding has nothing in hand on his previous Newbury victory from the re-opposing Canelo (9lb better off) who, while up another 6lb for a subsequent win at Wetherby, gives owner J P McManus a decent hand here with the selection Musical Slave carrying the same colours.
Earlier, SUNSET WEST is fancied to take the opening Visit attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle.
Phil Kirby's six-year-old runs in his first handicap off a mark of 117 which could prove an under-estimation based on his three previous outings this season.
First time out, Sunset West finished 11 lengths behind Ask A Honey Bee (now 132) and Ashtown Lad (135) off level weights at Wetherby, then looked likely to win at Kelso only to fall at the second last and, latterly, was outstayed by the promising Enqarde (who was receiving 7lb) at Newcastle over two-and-three-quarter miles.
The last-named won a handicap chase at Ascot last Saturday and is now rated 132 over the larger obstacles.
Even if the handicapper is right about the selection's handicap rating, Joe Williamson's good-value 7lb claim could well prove decisive while the drop in distance to two-miles-and-three furlongs looks another positive for this strong traveller.
Published at 1540 GMT on 29/01/21
