16:40 Doncaster
Thursday 9 February 2017
All13:5514:3015:0015:3016:0516:40
Eventmasters Hospitality Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 128y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:40Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 7.28s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Wins in his turn, and scored at Ayr in December but in his true inconsistent fashion, finished last back at the same venue under similar conditions next time out. Conditions look fine but predicting his going days becoming more difficult.
Only the one victory in 18 hurdles starts and far more bad runs that good ones, but not disgraced when second to Satanic Beat over this C&D in a better grade race than this. Jockey did too much too soon at Fakenham on latest start, and if repeating the earlier Doncaster effort, would hold a chance in this weak affair.
Goes handicapping in a weak race and on a basement mark, and has shown some ability in three starts to date. Yard have a decent record with first-time handicappers (4-19 in the past year) which also offers some hope, as does the booking of the promising Tom Humphries. Has room to improve, which is more than most of these do.
Quirky individual that often goes to post early, and more letters than numbers in his form lately, but does have ability and switch back to hurdles can be viewed as a positive. Has been running respectably on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton in January, booking of David Noonan (one winner from four rides for the yard) another plus, and despite an iffy looking profile, cannot be discounted.
Finally came good at the 14th attempt (and was well back to do so) when winning over this C&D
a fortnight ago, travelling well and staying on well after the last. That wasn't a great race but neither is this, and the handicapper only put her up 4lb, so an obvious chance of following up if she handles this slower ground, which is a question.
Mark has been falling for a couple of seasons, and he shows no sign of being able to take advantage of it any time soon ; well beaten last two starts and although Hereford effort is easily enough forgiven as the ground was very deep, the Taunton effort on good the time before takes more explaining away.
Addition of cheekpieces saw him take a big step forward at Catterick last week, being the only one to try and chase down easy winner Ask Paddy (winner again on Monday). Paid the penalty for that and got caught late for second, but the first three were well clear. A reproduction of that gives him every chance of getting on the scoresheet here, with more improvement possible.
Won a weak event at Uttoxeter last October but three runs this winter have been nowhere near as good, finishing well beaten at Hereford last time despite only going off a 7-2 chance. Possible better ground suits, and now back on a winning mark, but a bit to prove now.
Glimmer of ability when fifth in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last season but has shown very little in two runs since going handicapping. Probably capable of better, but can't be backed with any confidence at present.
Forecasts
Stepover (5/2), Bring Back Charlie (4/1), Episode (5/1), Gambol (7/1), Fifty Bob (8/1), Global Thrill (8/1), Back To Balloo (12/1), Actiondancer (14/1), Baraboy (40/1)
EPISODE took a huge step forward when third to the fast-improving Ask Paddy at Catterick last week and if he can build on that here, he might take some beating off the same mark. This looks a lot easier than the Catterick contest and he can score at the expense of Stepover, who won easily last time but needs to prove she's as good on this slower ground. Back To Balloo may appreciate the return to Doncaster and can finish third.
1. Episode
2. Stepover
3. Back To Balloo
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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