13:50 Doncaster

Saturday 14 September 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:55

William Hill Portland Handicap

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 1m 6.31s

(10)

Copper Knight^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Danny Redmond⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 106

33/1

In rude health on the Knavesmire at York (1,3,1) earlier in the season, winning the Listed City Walls Stakes (5f) in July; sits very high in the handicap as a result and therefore needs a heroic performance; others preferred.

Form: 021757

(14)

Oxted²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 105

14/1

Lightly-raced (just the six starts) but has already contested a Group 3 (Hackwood Stakes) contest; 3lb higher than when finishing a ½L second to Dazzling Dan on handicap debut at Newmarket (6f, good); talented claimer aboard.

Form: 5-12642

(11)

Dazzling Dan²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 104| CD

10/1

Headed on the line when narrowly beaten by Moraawed in a Class 3 handicap here (6f, good) in April; upwardly mobile since, winning twice, including when beating today's rival Oxted by ½L at Newmarket (6f, good); 5lb higher.

Form: 1-21631

(7)

Marnie James⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 102

12/1

Formerly with Iain Jardine, and was in the thick of things (third) behind Copper Knight at York (5f, good to firm) in May; has posted two solid efforts in defeat to the thriving Dakota Gold (also at York) since switched to Jedd O'Keeffe; chance.

Form: 300023

(2)

Arecibo^b1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

33/1

9lb higher than when winning at Ayr (5f, good to firm) mid-summer; admirably consistent since (2,2,0,3,2); just behind Marnie James when third to the well-handicapped Dakota Gold at York (5½f, good); blinkers added seeking that extra edge.

Form: 122032

(16)

Muthmir^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 100| CD

20/1

A very classy performer on his day (a three-time Group 2 winner); met trouble in running when a close fifth in the Epsom Dash (5f, good to firm) in June and kept ticking over since; 2-2 at Doncaster (won this race in 2014).

Form: 00-5804

(21)

Justanotherbottle¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: D Carroll| OR: 99| CD

10/1

Notched a sixth career success (from 29 starts) when showing blistering early pace at Sandown (5f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; 4lb higher with Dettori replacing Buick; third to Spring Loaded in this race in 2017 (from a 6lb lower mark).

Form: 0-00591

(6)

Gunmetal²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: T D Barron| OR: 99| D

20/1

Thereabouts earlier in the season, including when winning the battle (his group) but losing the war (sixth of 26) in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm); modest since; won the 2018 Great St Wilfrid from a similar mark.

Form: 0-54600

(12)

Open Wide^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 98| D

9/1

No chance with the winner Khaadem when keeping on strongly to finish second in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood (6f, good to firm); was also rattling home late when third to Swindler at Ascot (6f) last week; 1lb higher; 15 of 21 in this last year.

Form: 122243

(19)

Green Power²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: G Mosse| T: J Gallagher| OR: 98| D

20/1

Met trouble inside the final furlong when fifth to today's rival Open Wide at Windsor (6f, good) in June; has reversed those placings since - twice successful at Goodwood (5f-6f); 2lb higher; similar chance to Embour and Show Stealer.

Form: 307511

(1)

Makanah²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: K T O'Neill| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 97| C| D

25/1

Has risen through the ranks this season and is now 17lb higher than when winning a Class 4 handicap at Thirsk (5f, good) in May; finished a close fourth to Dakota Gold (Marnie James second, Arecibo third) at York latest; a step too far?

Form: 5-12104

(3)

Watchable^p²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: T P Queally| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| CD

50/1

Made all, and was a very ready winner when recording a third success of the calendar year in June (Epsom 6f, good to firm); near enough that level of form since; hasn't much to find with Marnie James, Arecibo et al; O'Meara saddles three runners.

Form: 108335

(5)

Konchek^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 98

25/1

Runner-up in the Group 2 July Stakes (6f, Newmarket) as a juvenile; placed behind Calyx in the Group 3 Pavilion Stakes at Ascot on seasonal reappearance in May; highly tried since, but could have more too offer in handicap company.

Form: 46-3084

(8)

Embour¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 96| BF| D

16/1

Beaten 1L by Watchable over 6f here (good) in May and incredibly consistent in competitive handicaps since; is closely matched with the likes of Justanotherbottle (Sandown), Green Power and Show Stealer (Goodwood) on recent evidence; merits respect.

Form: 145023

(13)

A Momentofmadness^h²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 95| CD

9/1

Made all down the centre of the track when beating Encrypted by ¾L in this race last year (and now rated 4lb lower); also finished sixth in the 2017 renewal; couldn't quite last home when sixth of 22 (Marnie James second) at York latest.

Form: 730096

(22)

Equitation^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁷⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 94| CD

12/1

Course winner (6f maiden); has related form with the likes of Embour and Open Wide (Windsor); hit with a 7lb rise for last week's 2½L Class 4 Ascot win (6f, good to firm); needs a career best performance - not an impossible task.

Form: 122641

(17)

Bielsa¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| CD

7/2

Invincible Spirit gelding; course winner who defends his perfect 100% record (3-3) in what is probably one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the turf season; beat Lahore by a head on handicap debut at Thirsk (6f, good) latest; 6lb higher.

Form: 1-11

(20)

Show Stealer^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Cameron Noble⁽³⁾| T: Rae Guest| OR: 92| D

40/1

A mare who has enjoyed a hugely productive season winning back-to-back 6f handicaps at Windsor in recent weeks (beat Open Wide by a head on the first occasion); holds a broadly similar chance to Green Power and Embour on the basis of Goodwood form.

Form: 451135

(15)

Teruntum Star⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Phil Dennis| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 92| D

80/1

With Kevin Ryan when winning the Great St Wilfrid Consolation (Ripon) and the Coral Sprint Trophy (York) in late 2017; well below-par since making a winning seasonal reappearance at Beverley (5f) in April; first start for David Griffiths; risky.

Form: 610007

(18)

Orvar²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: L F Roche| T: P T Midgley| OR: 92| C| D

25/1

16th of 21 in this in 2018 (a dual Doncaster scorer); 5lb higher than when beating Saaheq by 1½L over 5f here (soft) last month; 7th of 22 at York to Dakota Gold latest, so must improve past Marnie James, Arecibo et al; eye-catching jockey booking.

Form: 745617

(4)

Muscika^v¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: F Norton| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

33/1

Knocking on the door when fifth of 21 to A Momentofmadness in this race last year; recorded a frustrating run of second placed finishes during the summer; is versatile in terms of underfoot conditions, and one of three runners for David O'Meara.

Form: 422246

(9)

Wentworth Falls^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 90| CD

14/1

Soundly beaten by Bielsa at Thirsk (6f) a fortnight ago. However, hasn't run from a mark this low since winning a 22-runner Class 3 6f handicap here in April 2017; foolish to swiftly dismiss on course form (1,4,4,3,2) alone; third of 21 in 2018.

Form: 226530

Forecasts

Bielsa (7/2), A Momentofmadness (9/1), Open Wide (9/1), Justanotherbottle (10/1), Dazzling Dan (10/1), Equitation (12/1), Marnie James (12/1), Oxted (14/1), Wentworth Falls (14/1), Embour (16/1), Muthmir (20/1), Gunmetal (20/1), Green Power (20/1), Makanah (25/1), Orvar (25/1), Konchek (25/1), Arecibo (33/1), Muscika (33/1), Copper Knight (33/1), Show Stealer (40/1), Watchable (50/1), Teruntum Star (80/1)

A nigh impossible to solve renewal of the Portland which features a couple of previous race winners, Muthmir (2014) and A Momentofmadness (2018). Clues can be gained from the Sky Bet and Symphony Group Handicap at York (5½f) with the likes of Marnie James (second) and Arecibo (third) among plenty to feature there. Bielsa remains unbeaten for Kevin Ryan (3-3) but this is a much sterner test of his credentials, while old foes Green Power and Embour are possibles. However, with ample pace on that side we'll elect to stick with those drawn high and chance the pacy JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE. Frankie Dettori is an able deputy for William Buick.