16:55 Doncaster

Sunday 31 March 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Unibet Handicap

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 2m 10.18s

(1)

Flying Dragon¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

9/1

Off the mark in third start when landing what looked a decent 1m contest at Sandown late last season. Out of his depth next in warm renewal of Listed Zetland (1m2f) but this trip should suit well at this point and far from ruled out here.

Form: 2316-

(6)

Venedegar¹⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 82| BF

5/1

Beautifully bred son of Dubawi showed plenty of promise without winning last season although too keen in final run as favourite. Gelded since and has arguably world's best jockey onboard to help now. Sure he has untapped potential.

Form: 5225-

(8)

Good Birthday¹⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

7/2

Gradually improved in three two-year-old starts culminating in 1m Newbury win in October. Bred to come into his own over middle distances this year so highly respected here.

Form: 721-

(2)

Mister Chiang¹⁰¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79

11/2

Ended two-year-old season with 1m win at Chelmsford. Bred to appreciate further and this yard's horses going up in trip always have to be respected. Fact he does so on handicap debut leaves potential for improvement.

Form: 72241-

(4)

Red Bond³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 78| D

11/2

Won twice from the front on AW this winter including handicap debut latest. Perhaps will have a fitness edge over some of these then and likely to make another bold bid even in this warmer contest.

Form: 56-11

(7)

Guildhall¹⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 78| BF

10/3

1m two-year-old winner on heavy ground and raced exclusively with cut in the ground last season. Could be effective off this sort of mark but ground here obviously a concern.

Form: 314-

(5)

Al Suil Eile^t1¹⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 76WS

18/1

Disappointed in final start as a two-year-old but promise in second start and could now be improved by combination of gelding, tongue-tie and wind-op. More needed but obviously plenty of reasons that may be the case.

Form: 829-

(9)

Mrs Hoo¹⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

25/1

Ripon winner last season remained competitive when switching to handicaps thereafter over 1m. More exposed than most here however so others of greater appeal.

Form: 731254-

(10)

Embrace The Moment²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Hannon| OR: 75

33/1

Maiden who raced exclusively over 7f last season. Showed some ability along the way and bred to stay this far now but others look of greater ability.

Form: 42426-

Non-Runners

(3)

Sameem¹⁸⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: J Tate J: D Allan

Forecasts

Guildhall (10/3), Good Birthday (7/2), Venedegar (5/1), Red Bond (11/2), Mister Chiang (11/2), Sameem (7/1), Flying Dragon (9/1), Al Suil Eile (18/1), Mrs Hoo (25/1), Embrace The Moment (33/1)

A chance is taken here on VENEDEGAR who clearly has plenty of ability and potential over this trip. Having been gelded it is hoped he settles better here and if doing so improvement is likely. Good Birthday is also of plenty of appeal with a nice middle-distance pedigree and good win under his belt. Although coming unstuck in Pattern company Flying Dragon has a bit of class about him and he too is well worth consideration.