14:50 Doncaster

Wednesday 19 February 2020

All14:1814:5015:2315:5516:3017:02

Betsafe Extra Place Race Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 15.00s

Kansas City Chief²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128| CD

13/2

A reduced mark had a big part to play in his Taunton win over 3m (2lb below his last winning hurdles mark, well below his chase marks). Ran well in defeat to a thrown-in winner last time; still well treated, C&D winner; sound claims.

Form: 5P6-012

Printing Dollars²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 125| D

10/1

In better form last winter when winning back-to-back staying contests at Exeter (favourite both times). Hasn't really gone on from those exploits not looking in the same sort of form this year; mark falling but needs to show more spark.

Form: 72-9508

Rath An Iuir⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 121| D

4/1

Winner in Irish point-to-points (bred to stay well), ran to a fair level on his hurdling debut in an Ayr novice (2m4f, heavy). Upped in trip (2m6f) at Newcastle last time when confirming his debut promise; will stay this trip on his handicap debut.

Form: 331/41

Bryden Boy^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| CD

16/1

Took a Sedgefield staying contest (3m3f) in November (well supported) ending a long losing sequence. Twice run with credit since off a 2lb lower mark than he faces today; C&D winner, still worthy of note considering his form in the past.

Form: 65-9123

River Arrow⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 120WS

6/1

Fairly useful mare in this sort of company despite only having won once in her career. Returns from a break/wind op having twice run well late last year; looks reasonably handicapped, would benefit from a more positive ride; shortlisted.

Form: 2/95-724

Toi Storey^p,t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 119

13/2

Took a while to get going this term after wind surgery the first-time cheekpieces producing a winning performance at Catterick by 12L (also dropped in the weights). Up 12lb for that romp so headgear needs to work again; suited by a stamina test.

Form: 331-7P1

Jefferson Davis^t,v²⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 115| D

50/1

Returns from an absence although it should be noted that he was in good form when he was last seen. Produced a career-best to take a Ludlow handicap hurdle (3m, good); not disgraced last time; others may have race fitness on their side.

Form: 2600-15

Off The Hook³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115

11/1

Fair sort who despite only winning once is a relatively consistent type; steadily working her way back to peak form this year. Posted her best run of the season last time when trying this trip for the first time; features on a decent mark.

Form: 314-634

I'm A Starman⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M G Rimell| OR: 112

10/1

Lightly-raced who showed some reasonable form in his qualifying runs before being sent over fences for his first handicap try. Looked to need the race and now dropped 3lb as he reverts to hurdles; still unexposed, worth noting a market move.

Form: 733-4

Shantung^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Maxime Tissier⁽⁵⁾| T: L Wadham| OR: 111

7/1

On a losing run that is starting to stack up she's not been disgraced in handicaps of late over hurdles. Given a very considerate ride last time (never on terms); her mark is now lenient one; cheekpieces first-time, not written off from this mark.

Form: 0-84595

Shah An Shah²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 109

7/1

Progressing well over hurdles despite remaining a maiden but created a good impression on his handicap debut last time over 2m4f. Looked to get done for pace there so this step-up to 3m should suit as will this more galloping track.

Form: 3-5043

Forecasts

Rath An Iuir (4/1), River Arrow (6/1), Toi Storey (13/2), Kansas City Chief (13/2), Shah An Shah (7/1), Shantung (7/1), I'm A Starman (10/1), Printing Dollars (10/1), Off The Hook (11/1), Bryden Boy (16/1), Jefferson Davis (50/1)

Hard to rule out many here in what is a competitive handicap hurdle with plenty of in-form sorts. Kansas City Chief is already a C&D winner and on his last two starts looks to have a major chance along with the still well weighted pair of Bryden Boy and SHANTUNG who may be worth taking a chance with off a rapidly falling mark with the cheekpieces on for the first-time to pep her up. Rath An Iuir is an unknown quantity on handicap debut while the track and trip should suit Shah An Shah. River Arrow fresh from a break and wind op is another to consider along with wide-margin Catterick winner Toi Story in what looks to be a very complex event to unravel.