19:50 Doncaster

Saturday 4 May 2019

All17:1517:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Happy 40th Birthday Darren Tomlinson Handicap

Off time: 19:51 | Winning time: 3m 10.60s

(3)

Pirate King²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: B A Curtis| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 86| C

7/1

Impressive 8L winner of a maiden over 1½m here last June. couldn't match that form in two subsequent runs, but has had excuses, and he's not one to give up on..

Form: 83146-

(2)

Mugatoo¹⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81

4/1

Improved with each start last term, winding up with a third of 10 to Silver River in a 1½m novice at Kempton in November, Gives the impression he will stay further, and opening mark is far from punitive.

Form: 713-

(8)

Blue Rambler⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 81

25/1

Smart stayer at his peak, but he's looked a shadow of his former self in recent times, and although he was second over hurdles here in December for Ian Williams, he's not easy to fancy starting out for a new yard.

Form: 70/0709-

(4)

Seinesational^v¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Cosgrave| T: W J Knight| OR: 80

9/2

Won four times at up to 2m last year and, in a change of headgear, looked better than ever when beating Knight Commander at Wolverhampton last time. Visor retained, and claims off 3lb higher.

Form: 14317-1

(1)

Tapis Libre²¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-5| J: Nathan Evans| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 79

28/1

Veteran who retains his enthusiasm, and won at Goodwood and Epsom last season. Best form on undulating tracks, and entitled to need this run after more than seven months on the sidelines.

Form: 541418-

(7)

Navajo Star^v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: R Brisland| OR: 78

8/1

Being kept busy in 2019 (already had eight runs; scoring twice over 2m). Shaped well back on turf at Musselburgh on penultimate start, and can be forgiven a lesser effort at Southwell last time on her Fibresand debut.

Form: 418024

(6)

Native Fighter⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 76

7/2

Won twice on turf for Peter Schiergen in Germany, but both wins for Simon Dow came over 1½m on Polytrack. Below form when 6½L seventh of 16 to Get Back Get Back over 1½m here last time, and opposable on what he's shown for new yard.

Form: 243-457

(5)

Houlton^p,t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Botti| OR: 76

7/2

Ryan Moore was taking over from a claimer when this gelding got back to winning ways in a Class 5 contest at Chelmsford (1¾m) last time. Claims on that form, but likely to prove vulnerable up in grade and back on turf.

Form: 31-2241

(9)

Ice Galley³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: J Quinn| T: P A Kirby| OR: 66

20/1

Won over hurdles over Market Rasen in March, but just a fair fifth there last time, and her win over this trip last season came in a lowly 0-60 affair. This looks too tough.

Form: 284190-

Forecasts

Native Fighter (7/2), Houlton (7/2), Mugatoo (4/1), Seinesational (9/2), Pirate King (7/1), Navajo Star (8/1), Ice Galley (20/1), Blue Rambler (25/1), Tapis Libre (28/1)

MUGATOO goes handicapping over a trip which should see improvement and off a mark which looks more than fair on balance, so he gets the nod over Navajo Star, who can be forgiven a modest effort on Fibresand last time. Pirate King won his maiden easily here last season, and has claims if excuses are made for a couple of subsequent defeats.