15:35 Doncaster

Friday 27 October 2017

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap

Off time: 15:39 | Winning time: 1m 12.80s

(11)

Shanghai Glory²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Fran Berry| T: C Hills| OR: 102| D

12/1

Fine efforts in big handicaps at Goodwood and Ripon before finishing down the field in testing ground at Haydock. Not much room for error off current mark, but the return to a sounder surface is a plus.

Form: 41-0530

(14)

Flying Pursuit^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 101| CD

8/1

Three wins in his last six starts under this jockey and no shame in his third in a valuable handicap at York last time. Runs off the same mark and has to be respected in his current vein of form.

Form: 181513

(8)

Aeolus²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: P Cosgrave| T: E Walker| OR: 101| D

11/1

Stand-out performance during a winless season so far was his second in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood in first-time cheekpieces. No headgear this time, runs off 2lb lower and stable is in fine form.

Form: 624200

(17)

Al Qahwa^b1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

12/1

Won a quite valuable handicap at York in May and although without a victory since, he has run with credit on more than one occasion. Behind Flying Pursuit at York last time and connections reach for blinkers.

Form: 920020

(22)

Outback Traveller^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 97| D

12/1

Has not won since landing last season's Wokingham Handicap, but showed his first hint of promise for some time when fifth at York on his latest outing, not far behind Flying Pursuit. Cheekpieces worn for the first time that day remain on.

Form: 0-00005

(4)

Hyperfocus²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 98| D

6/1

Has won both his starts at Haydock since being gelded and was particularly impressive last time. Up 8lb on better ground, but has to enter calculations given his current rate of progress.

Form: 634611

(13)

Perfect Pasture^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 97| D

28/1

Sent off at 25-1 when winning a Listed race at Windsor in May, but has not run to that level since and was behind a few of these rivals at York last time. Handicapper has relented a little.

Form: 750090

(5)

Boy In The Bar^b³^{(ex 6)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Manuel Fernandes⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91| D

12/1

Won by a nose off a much lower mark on the AW at Newcastle last time. Reverts to turf on a rating off which he has been held recently.

Form: 313641

(19)

Kickboxer^v1⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: M Appleby| OR: 96| D

80/1

Won a 5f Thirsk handicap on first start for his current trainer and has been out the back in three runs since. Only 1lb higher than when last successful, but recent form is offputting.

Form: 80-1000

(9)

Naggers²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 95| D

20/1

Landed a 6f handicap at Thirsk in May after which he was raised 10lb. Not at his best recently, but was second off this mark at Epsom during the summer and is not without hope.

Form: 412000

(21)

Mobsta²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon| OR: 95| CD

33/1

Has won twice over C&D, but is without a win this season. Well behind Flying Pursuit at Ripon last time and will do well to turn the tables.

Form: 059030

(16)

Hoof It¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-3| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 95| CD

33/1

High-class sprinter at his best, but not so good nowadays even though he has run fair races in competitive handicaps this season. Has dropped to his last winning mark and could go well at a price.

Form: 33-0660

(1)

Robero¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 94| D

25/1

Landed a couple of handicaps in the summer, after which he struggled off higher marks. Has come back down the weights and ran respectably over 7f last time. Possibilities.

Form: 515093

(12)

Big Time^v²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 94| D

40/1

Without a win in five starts in 2017 and was well held behind Flying Pursuit at Ripon last time. Down 2lb and better ground should suit, but still has something to find.

Form: 2-20007

(18)

Go Far^v²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 93| C| D

50/1

Won an AW handicap at Wolverhampton in March, but has failed to add to that success in nine subsequent contests. Needs more help from the handicapper.

Form: 360020

(7)

Naadirr^v³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: K A Ryan| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Not much encouragement in four starts for current trainer, but won twice over C&D when trained by Marco Botti. Well handicapped if he can return to anything approaching his best, but that is a big 'if'.

Form: 587008

(15)

Red Pike²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: B Smart| OR: 92| CD

20/1

On a long, losing streak which goes back to 2015 when he won over C&D. Behind Flying Pursuit last time and unlikely to turn the tables on that in-form rival.

Form: 304236

(20)

Gunmetal¹⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Hills| OR: 91| D

25/1

Looked progressive when winning a Newmarket handicap in April, but the handicapper took his revenge and he has been well held since. Needs the ground to dry out.

Form: 017600

(10)

George Bowen^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

14/1

Returned to form when a good third to Hyperfocus at Haydock on his latest start. Weighted to get much closer this time and the return to a sounder surface is also a plus.

Form: 706603

(3)

Dougan¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 90| D

14/1

Third over slightly further two starts ago and runs off the same mark. This is a much more competitive contest, however, and he will do well to be in the shake-up.

Form: 965838

(2)

Highland Acclaim^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| D

80/1

Won at Epsom two starts ago, his second success of the season at that track. Way below his best on the AW at Wolverhampton last time and needs to bounce back on this return to turf.

Form: 715010

(6)

Captain Colby¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: E Walker| OR: 90| CD

8/1

Landed the valuable Portland Handicap at this track last year and ran respectably in this year's renewal two starts ago. Failed to stay 7f at Leicester last time and can do better. Stable also runs Aeolus.

Form: 000776

Forecasts

Hyperfocus (6/1), Flying Pursuit (8/1), Captain Colby (8/1), Aeolus (11/1), Boy In The Bar (12/1), Shanghai Glory (12/1), Al Qahwa (12/1), Outback Traveller (12/1), George Bowen (14/1), Dougan (14/1), Naadirr (16/1), Naggers (20/1), Red Pike (20/1), Robero (25/1), Gunmetal (25/1), Perfect Pasture (28/1), Hoof It (33/1), Mobsta (33/1), Big Time (40/1), Go Far (50/1), Highland Acclaim (80/1), Kickboxer (80/1)

Bottom-weight Captain Colby likes this track and looks likely to make a bold bid, along with the likes of Shanghai Glory, Flying Pursuit and Hoof It. Gunmetal would be a threat to all if the ground dries out, but the choice is GEORGE BOWEN, who is drawn in the centre and can go wherever his jockey chooses. He is weighted to end up wherever likely favourite Hyperfocus finishes and should enjoy underfoot conditions. In a wide-open sprint, Aeolus, Outback Traveller and Robero are also considered.