16:45 Doncaster

Friday 26 October 2018

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

Matchbook Is Commission Free Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 2m 11.85s

(1)

Herculean¹⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 90| D

6/4

Brother to Fair Eva who impressed when winning at Ascot on debut, and back in the winner's enclosure when taking a 1m2f novice at Pontefract in July. Still not the finished article, but every chance he will progress further now handicapping.

Form: 1-21

(5)

Rise Hall^b⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd| T: M Meade| OR: 88

11/2

Won at Salisbury (7f) in August and better still when 2½L third of 19 to Francis Xavier on handicap bow at York (1m2f) last time, running on strongly. More to come, and respected.

Form: 8813

(4)

Big Kitten²²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: M Harley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87

9/2

Ended time with Mark Johnston by easily winning a 1m novice at Newcastle in March, and interesting to see how he fares in the betting now returning from a break for powerful new yard.

Form: 222-1

(10)

Jamil¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 87| BF

16/1

Easy winner at Hamilton (1m½f) on final start in novice company, improving a little with each run. Proved very disappointing on handicap debut at Pontefract, however, and while that was too bad to be true, he has a bit to prove now.

Form: 1-217

(6)

The Throstles⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J F Egan| T: K Frost| OR: 85

50/1

Has improved markedly on Tapeta at Wolverhampton of late, winning a trio of handicaps and seeing his mark rise by a whopping 25lb. Well held when tried on turf, but too early to write him off on this surface.

Form: 548111

(3)

Jamih¹³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 85| D

6/1

Has improved this year, and made most of his experience when making all the running in a 1m2f maiden at Sandown on his latest start in June. Absence since is a worry, and more required now handicapping, but folly to dismiss.

Form: 69-21

(8)

Rock Force^p1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 83| BF

8/1

Improved for step up to 1m2f when finishing a fine second to Francis Xavier at York last month, and perhaps best not to judge him too harshly on latest effort at Newbury, for all it was disappointing. Cheekpieces tried now.

Form: 23220

(7)

Rashdan^v1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 82| BF| D

20/1

Won first handicap start at Newcastle (1m2f) when fitted witrh blinkers, but disappointing since, and a visor is now tried in an attempt to coax him back to form.

Form: 181974

(2)

Coolongolook¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Spencer| T: L M Cumani| OR: 81| C

20/1

Won off a 1lb lower mark here (1m4f) in August, but found York's Melrose Stakes too tough next time, and ran better when fifth at Leicester last time, keeping on after a slow start. Drop in trip not ideal.

Form: 303105

(9)

Escapability^p³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 78

50/1

Runner-up in a 1m2f maiden at the Curragh in May, but ran badly next time. Back to some form when mid-field at Galway last month,but plenty more required now.

Form: 325267

Forecasts

Herculean (6/4), Big Kitten (9/2), Rise Hall (11/2), Jamih (6/1), Rock Force (8/1), Jamil (16/1), Coolongolook (20/1), Rashdan (20/1), Escapability (50/1), The Throstles (50/1)

HERCULEAN hasn't quite hit the heights expected after his impressive debut win last year, but he's been very much looked after by his patient trainer, and can make a winning handicap debut. Rise Hall was a place behind Rock Force when third on his handicap bow at York, but looked unlucky, and with that looking solid form, he appeals as the main danger to the selection.