13:50 Doncaster

Saturday 4 March 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

BetBright Casino Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 27.7s

Whataknight^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 144

13/2

Well beaten in Grade Two company when switched back to hurdles at Cheltenham last time, having won a Hereford beginners' chase prior to that. Had won a similar contest to this at Haydock in May (good) from 6lb lower than today. Best on a sound surface and could be a player with his rider's claim.

Form: 121026-

Ruacana^v¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 135

11/1

Former Michael Bell and John Ferguson-trained gelding who has a Grade One win to his name, though has been unable to win since landing a decent handicap hurdle at Musselburgh two years ago. 2lb below that mark today and was runner-up when last dropped to this pitch, so could go well.

Form: 400-465

Seefood^v⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 135

9/1

Formerly campaigned in Ireland, though last five starts all chases in Britain for current yard, winning at Musselburgh from 8lb lower in November. Has never won a hurdle since out of novice company. Not ground dependent.

Form: 70F-851

Bryden Boy²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 131

8/1

All three career wins have been on heavy ground, so unlikely to get those conditions here. Otherwise, looks capable of running a reasonable race from this mark and can be relied upon to produce his usual level of form, though not sure if that will be good enough to win.

Form: 2P-5331

Point The Way^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 130

4/1

Completed a hat-trick in novices' hurdles last season, though has found this season too stern a test so far as a result. Stays well and seems to handle any ground, so if this application of headgear for the first time works he may still be capable of being competitive.

Form: 111P-36

Arthurs Secret²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124

6/1

Won a soft ground Flat handicap here in 2014, while his sole hurdles success from 11 starts came in a Musselburgh maiden two years ago. Has been runner-up in four of his five starts this season and third in the other, so few would begrudge him a win, though a 4lb rise makes it tougher.

Form: 322284-

Markov⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 122

9/2

Fontwell bumper winner and a half-brother to the useful hurdler Willoughby Court. Put up his best effort over hurdles so far when third here (2m3½f, good) at 33/1 last time out. Mark looks fair and has little racing weight to carry, so could have a big say.

Form: 1P5334

Red Infantry⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 118

9/2

Consistent hurdler at his own level, though has not managed to add to his Sandown success (2m4f, good) from November. 2lb higher than that winning mark here, which gives him a squeak and stays well.

Form: 145443-

Non-Runners

The Organist⁴⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: O Sherwood J: L P Aspell

Forecasts

Point The Way (4/1), Markov (9/2), Red Infantry (9/2), Arthurs Secret (6/1), The Organist (6/1), Whataknight (13/2), Bryden Boy (8/1), Seefood (9/1), Ruacana (11/1)

Several in here have claims and it is interesting that a few trainers have decided to switch their charges back to hurdling from the bigger obstacles. Even so, it might be worth chancing MARKOV this time around. Ben Pauling's seven-year-old showed signs that a win may not be far away when tried here last time. He looks to have a workable mark and little weight to carry. Red Infantryand Arthurs Secret are other lightweights who can go well, while Point The Way, The Organist and Ruacana should be in the shake-up.