14:50 Doncaster

Wednesday 21 February 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:3017:00

Alan Wood Plumbing And Heating Ltd Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 17.24s

Classic Ben²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 130

9/1

Won on his first two starts over hurdles, but found a step up in class beyond him at this course last time. Has plenty to do off top weight in his first handicap.

Form: F-22117

Buckle Street^p,t⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Stock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 127

4/1

Unseated his rider at the start at Ascot on latest outing, but had previously won at Catterick and shaped well at Cheltenham. Not obviously well handicapped, but not ruled out.

Form: 36513U

Tanarpino^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 126| D

12/1

Tailed off in the Haydock mud last time after finishing second to Buckle Street at Catterick. Little between the pair on these revised terms.

Form: 5-55328

Work Du Breteau^t⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125WS

9/1

Won twice for Tim Reed last year, but climbed the weights accordingly. Initial run for a stable which does well with this type of recruit and his first since undergoing wind surgery. Very interesting.

Form: 331F26

Duke Debarry³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

8/1

Fair form in novice hurdles and no shame in finishing fourth to a talented stable companion over 3m at Kempton last time. Might be better on this slightly sounder surface, but opening handicap mark looks stiff enough.

Form: 455-424

Ballyben¹²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 123| D

40/1

Better chaser than hurdler, but that is reflected in his respective handicap marks so he should be competitive back over timber. Might just need this first start since October.

Form: 2207-17

Ceporine^h¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: R Hobson| OR: 123

13/2

Bumper winner who returned from a long absence to go close in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter. Always the risk of the "bounce factor" in such cases, but if he has come on for the run and appreciates the step up in trip, he has solid claims.

Form: 1U-2

All For The Best^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens| OR: 122

33/1

Returned from six months off to finish seventh of nine on the AW at Wolverhampton. Switches back to hurdles with stamina to prove.

Form: 72162-3

Early Retirement⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 122| BF

6/1

On the upgrade and followed up two wins at Southwell with a solid second of eight over 3m at Wetherby where he may have been sent for home too soon. Has been raised 3lb, but possibly capable of even better now he has proven his stamina.

Form: 0281-12

Wicked Spice²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 120| CD

9/1

Lightly raced for a horse of his age and returned from a long spell on the sidelines to finish a creditable fifth of 20 over C&D. Hard to know whether he will improve or regress for the outing, but cannot be ruled out.

Form: P3/551-5

Ballycrystal Court⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: A M Thomson| OR: 117

20/1

Benefited from the fall of a rival two out when landing a Musselburgh novice hurdle, but saw out his race well and should be even happier over this longer trip. Unexposed and may offer some value off fair opening handicap mark.

Form: 363-41

Capote^p,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115| D

20/1

Won a couple of times over hurdles in 2014, but was off for three-and-a-half years before resuming his career over fences. After failing to complete three times, he reverted to timber last time and was well held. Needs a major revival to figure.

Form: 14/FFF7

Demographic^v³²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 110

25/1

Last of three wins over hurdles came at Wincanton last April. Not sighted since, so fitness has to be taken on trust and 4lb higher mark is also an issue.

Form: 3/21F01-

Forecasts

Buckle Street (4/1), Early Retirement (6/1), Ceporine (13/2), Duke Debarry (8/1), Classic Ben (9/1), Work Du Breteau (9/1), Wicked Spice (9/1), Tanarpino (12/1), Capote (20/1), Ballycrystal Court (20/1), Demographic (25/1), All For The Best (33/1), Ballyben (40/1)

Work Du Breteau is of serious interest given his profile, but his price is likely to reflect that which means better value may be secured elsewhere. If he does not perform quite as anticipated, then the one to benefit may be BALLYCRYSTAL COURT, who makes a swift switch to handicapping after winning a novice hurdle with the extra distance expected to suit. Early Retirement and Ceporine have claims, Classic Ben looks weighted to the hilt but is not ruled out, and there should be little between old rivals Buckle Street and Tanarpino. Duke Debarry is clearly another to consider.