16:10 Doncaster

Friday 25 October 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Vertem Investing For The Future Handicap

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 29.97s

(13)

Billy Ray^v¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 89

10/1

Lightly raced still and posted a career best when second in the Marsh Cup at Newbury (2m) in July. Not the same force since at Ascot and Newmarket so will need to bounce back on slower ground.

Form: 3-65290

(1)

Celestial Force^v²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 84| BF

7/1

Regularly continues to be placed and ran another excellent race in defeat when second at Nottingham (1m6f) earlier this month. Even better considering he set the pace and looks to have solid claims once again.

Form: 322322

(15)

Master Of Irony^p⁵¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: K Stott| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 83| CD

66/1

Good winner over C&D in May but only seen once since when down the field at Chelmsford (AW) in May. Comes in here off long absence so best watched.

Form: 5785/19-

(11)

Battle Of Marathon¹¹^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Laura Pearson⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 79

50/1

Only ninth at Ascot (2m) on penultimate start but took advantage of weak race at Musselburgh (1m4f) 11 days ago. That was a seller so more needed back in handicap company.

Form: 481391

(12)

River Icon^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 80

28/1

Useful performer in the national hunt sphere who arguably ran a career-best when third im 2m York handicap earlier this month. Looks to be well-treated on that form and holds solid place claims.

Form: 5636-23

(3)

Belisa²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: I Furtado| OR: 79

80/1

Was in good form last season with two victories but not the same horse this term, including down the field in Newmarket handicap on latest start. Easily opposable despite reduced mark.

Form: 415P-40

(10)

Funny Man^b²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| C

16/1

Generally consistent if not frustrating this season but wasn't disgraced when sixth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot earlier this month. This is an easier but may need a little more off current mark.

Form: 132326

(8)

Employer¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: J S Goldie| OR: 75

25/1

Had been holding his form together this season before disappointing fifth in Musselburgh seller (1m4f) earlier this month. Makes limited appeal on that basis.

Form: 434235

(2)

Caravan Of Hope²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H Palmer| OR: 80

9/4

Runner-up at Ffos Las two starts ago (form significantly franked since) before running out game winner of Ascot handicap (1m4f, heavy). Could still have more improvement in him over this trip.

Form: 242321

(9)

Overhaugh Street²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Gray| T: E De Giles| OR: 73

40/1

Front-running winner at Chester in August but not as good at that venue again last time out when weakening into fifth. Hard to catch right but likely to set the pace.

Form: 621815

(7)

Mankayan^p³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 80

14/1

Made a winning debut at Salisbury in June but not progressed as hoped since. Slow gallop cost him when fourth at Leicester (1m4f) last time but bounce back is required.

Form: 124

(14)

Ginistrelli⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 79

4/1

Looked to be a regressive sort but turned the form around nicely when taking 1m6f Haydock handicap last month. Needed every inch of the trip that day but may have more to come now.

Form: 41-5661

(6)

Teodora De Vega²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 78

9/2

Dual winner at Epsom and Leicester in July before fast finishing second at Ripon (1m4f) last month. Should stay given the way she ran that day but not bred to race at this distance. Each-way claims.

Form: 212152

(5)

Contrebasse^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69| C

12/1

Held form generally well since winning at Haydock in August before hampered sixth in 1m4f York handicap earlier this month. Vulnerable to one or two classier sorts.

Form: 213446

Non-Runners

(4)

Western Duke⁶³

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: B A Curtis

(16)

Starczewski⁶²

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: Callum Shepherd

Forecasts

Caravan Of Hope (9/4), Ginistrelli (4/1), Teodora De Vega (9/2), Celestial Force (7/1), Starczewski (7/1), Billy Ray (10/1), Contrebasse (12/1), Mankayan (14/1), Funny Man (16/1), Western Duke (16/1), Employer (25/1), River Icon (28/1), Overhaugh Street (40/1), Battle Of Marathon (50/1), Master Of Irony (66/1), Belisa (80/1)

CELESTIAL FORCE has become an admirable - if not frustrating horse - at this level in recent times but could have found a good opportunity to get back on the winning keel. He ran another great race in defeat when not ridden to his strengths and with the pace likely to be strong he looks set to go well once again. River Icon comes into this off the back of a career-best over two miles and should run creditably again but the trip is a slight concern, while the likes of Teodora De Vega and Caravan Of Hope could have more improvement in them over this trip.