Doncaster Groundworks Handicap

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 3m 5.29s

(3)

Summer Moon¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

6/4

Slammed the opposition (which included Skymax) when an emphatic winner of a typically competitive York handicap last time. Should have no problems whatsoever with the step up in trip and he can cope with the 10lb rise to secure the hat-trick.

Form: 2336-11

(6)

Themaxwecan²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

9/2

Considered good enough to contest the Lingfield Derby Trial last time when a well beaten ninth of 10. This is more his level though and he holds a leading chance if able to reproduce the form of his comeback second at Leicester (1m4f; good).

Form: 1-129

(4)

Emirates Empire³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: M L W Bell| OR: 90

10/3

Has begun his 2019 campaign in excellent fashion with a second and two wins. Each of those runs have came on the AW. Hacked up at Chelmsford last time (1m6f; standard) and he possesses outstanding claims on this turf return.

Form: 93-211

(2)

Skymax¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P J Dobbs| T: R M Beckett| OR: 85

10/1

Progressed well last season. Won on handicap debut on final start of 2018. Seasonal reappearance was fair when fifth in a competitive handicap at the Dante meeting at York (1m4f; good to firm). Could run into a place off the same mark.

Form: 0321-5

(1)

Durston³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P Hanagan| T: D M Simcock| OR: 79

6/1

Makes handicap debut today after three good efforts in maidens. Runner-up behind Dante third Surfman at Nottingham (1m; good to soft) in one of those runs. Another stepping up from 1m to 1m6f and he should make presence felt.

Form: 32-4

(5)

Buckman Tavern²⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 79

12/1

Won on turf debut at Carlisle on final two-year-old run last season (1m; heavy). Opening mark looks fair. Although the quicker conditions are a slight concern, the marked step up in trip is a positive for trainer who does so well with these types.

Form: 491-

Forecasts

Summer Moon (6/4), Emirates Empire (10/3), Themaxwecan (9/2), Durston (6/1), Skymax (10/1), Buckman Tavern (12/1)

A good starting point is with Emirates Empire who has done nothing wrong in three starts this year. He is a major player if able to translate his AW form to turf but Mark Johnston seems to hold all the aces in this small but select six-runner affair. Themaxwecan will be more competitive than he was when finishing ninth in a Derby Trial last time and his form prior to that entitles him to be a player. However, ready preference is for the top-weight SUMMER MOON who turned a hot handicap at York into a one-horse-race when routing the opposition last time. The manner of that performance suggested he is a horse going places and he can take this en-route to pattern company.