17:20 Doncaster

Saturday 19 August 2017

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1016:4517:20

Follow Sun Bets On Twitter Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 2m 15.25s

(1)

Monsieur Glory^v⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: Tom Clover| OR: 75| D

3/1

Won twice for Tom Dascombe last season and has continued to thrive for current trainer, landing a Newbury handicap last time after three good placed efforts. Up another 4lb, but likely to give it his best shot again.

Form: 82-3421

(10)

Buonarroti^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: G C O'Neill⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 73

6/1

Last win came over a year ago in a 1m5f handicap at Ayr. Has fallen down the weights since to a feasible handicap mark, but last two outings have been over 1m4f and this shorter trip is not sure to suit.

Form: 047084

(8)

Royal Reserve¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Patrick Vaughan⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72| BF

8/1

Won a 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap on his first start for current yard, but showed this trip holds no terrors when placed on his next two starts. Not so good back over 1m4f last time, but stable has hit form since and he has a sound chance

Form: 001235

(4)

Footlight¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 70

14/1

Won on the AW at Southwell in February, but has been beaten in seven starts since. Falling handicap mark, but no suggestion a return to the winner's enclosure is imminent.

Form: 347345

(5)

Ski Blast²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Richard Oliver| T: I Furtado| OR: 66

12/1

Quite lightly raced and only victory came way back in August, 2015. Off a career-low mark and shaped quite well at Yarmouth over 1f shorter last time. Seems to be running into form and has each-way claims.

Form: 43-5762

(11)

Sir Jack⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Patrick Pilley| T: A W Carroll| OR: 64| D

4/1

Consistent sort who won off 4lb lower at Leicester in May and has been placed in each of his five subsequent races. HIs consistency means he gets little respite from the handicapper, but he seems sure to be thereabouts again.

Form: 122322

(9)

Hannington^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Robinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 60| D

12/1

Has been in good form since joining current yard earlier this year, registering wins at Chelmsford and Lingfield. Ran well again when second at Redcar last time and has to go on the short list off only 1lb higher.

Form: 222912

(6)

Diamond Runner^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 59| D

5/1

Enjoying a good season with wins at Nottingham and, on his last start, at Redcar. Showed a good attitude to prevail by a short head at the latter venue and that quality should stand him in good stead off a 4lb higher mark. Respected.

Form: 215531

(7)

La Havrese⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Miss L C Siddall| OR: 58

9/1

Has four wins to her credit, but she has not been in the winner's enclosure for some time and has looked held around this sort of handicap mark on recent starts. That said, she is 4lb lower than when last successful which gives her supporters hope.

Form: 25-7656

Non-Runners

(2)

Glorious Poet²⁶

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: J L Spearing J: Manuel Fernandes

(3)

Polar Forest¹⁰

Weight: 9-6| Age: 7

T: R C Guest J: Rowan Scott

Forecasts

Monsieur Glory (3/1), Sir Jack (4/1), Diamond Runner (5/1), Buonarroti (6/1), Royal Reserve (8/1), Polar Forest (8/1), La Havrese (9/1), Ski Blast (12/1), Hannington (12/1), Glorious Poet (12/1), Footlight (14/1)

A tricky finale in which top weight Monsieur Glory seems sure to be thereabouts. He is not passed over lightly, while the in-form Polar Forest, Sir Jack and Hannington are also respected. The vote, though, goes to ROYAL RESERVE, who looks to be running over his optimum distance this time and whose stable has started to fire in a few winners.