15:25 Doncaster

Wednesday 20 February 2019

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:00

Ice Cream Direct Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 55.33s

Dans Le Vent^b1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 131

5/1

Not at his best last time, having previously run well at Cheltenham. Still high enough in the weights and connections reach for blinkers.

Form: 26-4644

Court Liability²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: H Whittington| OR: 130| BF| D

4/1

Completed a hurdling hat-trick when winning a Musselburgh handicap in December. Well held off 8lb higher at Huntingdon last time, but the ground that day may have been too soft for him and he is 2lb lower.

Form: 2/111-14

No Hiding Place^p⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126| D

13/2

Wore cheekpieces for the first time when scoring at Kempton in November and ran well again to be fourth of 14 off this 7lb higher mark over 2m5½f at Ascot. Return to the distance of his last win is a plus.

Form: 823214

Skidoosh⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 121

5/1

Wetherby novice hurdle winner in November and has run well to be second on last two starts. Steps up in trip for his handicap debut.

Form: 0-41322

Earlshill⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 120| D

10/1

Back-to-back hurdles successes early last summer, but two displays in handicap chases in the autumn were disappointing. May be able to recover his earlier form back over hurdles.

Form: 501-1P6

Muthabir²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 118| BF| C| D

13/2

Winner of five hurdles races, including at Ludlow last month. Only fourth of seven off 1lb higher at this venue last time and earlier form with No Hiding Place gives him a bit to find.

Form: 54-8414

Katy Royal³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 115

9/1

Back to form when comfortable winner of a 3m3f handicap at Sedgefield under this jockey. Bit more to do off 5lb higher, but is in good heart.

Form: 23F631

Rubenesque^t⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 114| C

14/1

Won a two-runner novice hurdle over 2m3½f at this track before finishing second of four in a C&D handicap off this mark. May find one or two more leniently treated.

Form: 312712

Gold Chain³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 109| D

10/1

Experienced campaigner who is in great form, winning handicaps at Newcastle and Ludlow. However, she is 18lb higher than for the first of those, which gives her plenty to do.

Form: PP4131

Forecasts

Court Liability (4/1), Skidoosh (5/1), Dans Le Vent (5/1), Muthabir (13/2), No Hiding Place (13/2), Katy Royal (9/1), Gold Chain (10/1), Earlshill (10/1), Rubenesque (14/1)

Gold Chain is in such good form that she can't be discounted despite her rise in the weights. Katy Royal and No Hiding Place are also in great heart and Earlshill could be a threat reverting to hurdles, but COURT LIABILITY, who had been progressive before his winning run came to an end on a softer surface, may be able to return to winning ways on better ground. Skidoosh is worth considering on his handicap debut stepped up in trip.