15:00 Doncaster

Friday 14 September 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:1017:45

William Hill Mallard Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 3m 5.92s

(13)

Higher Power⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 107

50/1

Three-time winner on AW but yet to win in 11 turf starts. Won the Northumberland Plate off this mark last year but not in the same form this season, as seen back in that race last time and he looks opposable at present.

Form: 097-820

(11)

Walton Street^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 106

4/1

Got better with each run at Meydan this winter and performed with credit when third of 17 in a valuable handicap at Royal Ascot. Ran just okay in a Group 3 at Newbury last time but he's capable of making his presence felt off this handicap mark.

Form: 4-62133

(4)

Nakeeta^h,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 106

18/1

Narrowly prevailed in the 2017 Ebor and has been running well in defeat in some valuable handicaps since including the Melbourne Cup and this year's Ebor. Dropped 1lb by the handicapper and not without each-way claims.

Form: 15-0057

(12)

On To Victory^h⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: T P Queally| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 103

33/1

Three-time winner, all with soft in the going description but signs the handicapper has caught up with him this campaign and no real signs of a return to form at Goodwood last time.

Form: 14-2887

(2)

Time To Study²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| CD

20/1

Won this race last year before going on to win a three-runner event at Newbury towards the end of the campaign. 5lb higher for this year's renewal and while he was in fair form at the start of the campaign, he's struggled in recent starts.

Form: 446400

(1)

Titus²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 103

10/1

Won at Wetherby earlier in the campaign and posted a clear career best at York when bolting up by 4L at the Ebor meeting. Handicapper hasn't missed him (up 11lb) but more progress entirely possible and versatile with regards to ground.

Form: 133841

(9)

Speedo Boy²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98| BF

15/2

Back to somewhere near his best three-year-old form on his last two starts, winning a 0-95 at Ascot (2m good to firm) and bettering that in a Class 2 at York last time. Up another 2lb and needs more but entitled to consideration with Moore on board.

Form: 77-4713

(5)

Island Brave²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: H Main| OR: 96

20/1

Prolific over the winter on AW and got his head back in front at Nottingham last time, gaining a first turf win. Worthy of respect just 4lb higher here.

Form: 215581

(10)

Ben Vrackie²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| BF

7/2

Improved with each novice run to win as he liked at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) in July. Came off second-best in a Goodwood Group 3 last time in a muddling affair when upped to this trip. Scope for more improvement and respected on handicap debut.

Form: 7212

(7)

Just In Time²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 94

12/1

Rattled off a hat-trick last year and gained his second win of this season at Goodwood last time out when a particularly impressive winner. Hard to know what that form is worth and 10lb higher here but more progress entirely possible.

Form: 17-4121

(14)

Reverend Jacobs³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| BF

9/1

Won an Ascot maiden on final start of 2017 and won on seasonal return in a York handicap. Got his head back in front at Newmarket last month but ran poorly when favourite at Pontefract next time. Lightly raced and worth giving another chance to.

Form: 21-1D15

(6)

Austrian School¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| BF

7/1

Progressive earlier in the campaign but hasn't won since winning at Chester in May, despite going off favourite on six of those seven outings. Holds each-way claims but looks vulnerable for the win given his recent profile.

Form: 422322

(3)

Theglasgowwarrior¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: J S Goldie| OR: 88

33/1

Has gone close over 1m5½f and it is encouraging that he produced a career-best on good to soft at Hamilton (1m4f) last time. Up 1lb for that, and up in grade, but yard do well with these types and can't be ruled out.

Form: 812303

(8)

Cliffs Of Dover²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Megan Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 87| C| D

25/1

Trounced a small field of stayers over 2m at Haydock under an enterprising ride from this jockey but couldn't follow up at Newbury last time. Still feasibly handicapped on the best of his hurdles form and couldn't be ruled out. Can race keenly.

Form: 5/11813

Forecasts

Ben Vrackie (7/2), Walton Street (4/1), Austrian School (7/1), Speedo Boy (15/2), Reverend Jacobs (9/1), Titus (10/1), Just In Time (12/1), Nakeeta (18/1), Time To Study (20/1), Island Brave (20/1), Cliffs Of Dover (25/1), Theglasgowwarrior (33/1), On To Victory (33/1), Higher Power (50/1)

A fiercely competitive renewal of this contest but it might be worth taking a chance on TITUS after his wide margin York success last time and an 11lb rise may not be enough to stop him going in again. Ben Vrackie is entirely unexposed making his handicap debut here and he can be forgiven his run at Goodwood last time when a beaten favourite in a muddling affair. Cliffs Of Dover is one at a likely bigger price that might be capable of hitting the frame if he can settle better than last time at Newbury.