15:00 Doncaster

Friday 15 September 2017

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:10

William Hill Mallard Handicap

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 10.18s

(3)

Elidor²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 108

20/1

Has a touch of class and was placed in a Group 2 at the Curragh two starts ago (1m6f, good) as well as winning in Listed company earlier in the season. Sole ground is, however, a concern, especially conceding weight. Looks a tough task.

Form: 07-1630

(2)

Seamour^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: B Ellison| OR: 101

13/2

Thorough stayer who loves soft ground. Has not won since 2015, though he remains 8lb higher than that last success after being placed several times since, including when runner-up in this last year from 2lb higher. Claims if at his best.

Form: 522-300

(5)

Penglai Pavilion^p1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 100

6/1

Stays really well and goes on any ground. Excellent effort last time when 2½L fourth over 2m½f at York (good to soft). First-time cheekpieces might help to eek out a little more from him and he looks to be a contender.

Form: 7/8510-4

(1)

Lord George⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 97

15/2

Sole turf win was on fast ground and he was well beaten in France last time with cut underfoot. That has to be a concern, but he does stay well and is unexposed at this trip. Stable 1-18 in last fortnight.

Form: 19-3348

(4)

Shrewd²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 96| C

9/1

Runner-up in last year's Ebor when 4lb higher. Struggled from higher marks after that but showed signs of a comeback on the Knavesmire last time out and from 2lb lower, he has claims. Soft ground suits and he has a hurdles win to his name here.

Form: 030-809

(6)

Byron Flyer^p1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 93| C

6/1

Proved his stamina with a 2m win at Lingfield (AW) in February and has progressed since in some similar races to this when just held in his last three outings. Up another 1lb with cheekpieces fitted and questionable if his price is any value.

Form: 247222

(7)

Time To Study⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98

11/8

Acts on soft/heavy ground, though his most recent win was on fast ground over this trip at Musselburgh in June. 9lb higher now, but beaten just 1L at Haydock last week from this mark and should go close.

Form: 21-3153

Forecasts

Time To Study (11/8), Byron Flyer (6/1), Penglai Pavilion (6/1), Seamour (13/2), Lord George (15/2), Shrewd (9/1), Elidor (20/1)

A good contest in prospect here and the suggestion is to side with SHREWD. Iain Jardine is beginning to have winners on these big days and this gelding is back on a good mark, acts at this track and on soft ground, and has a useful 7lb claimer up. Seamour would have claims if he can run to his optimum ability, while Penglai Pavilion looks to be a danger. Byron Flyer looks plenty short enough given that he has not quite been getting his nose in front and Time To Study could represent a little better value.