13:50 Doncaster

Saturday 29 February 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

888Sport Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 31.10s

Shades Of Midnight^p,t³⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 145| D

18/1

Useful hurdler who returns from a fair absence having been successful at Grade 2 level when last seen (enjoyed the run of the race). Should enjoy this stamina test but 8lb higher than his last handicap outing; may need this.

Form: U8/3211-

Geordie B¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 139

7/2

Useful staying novice last year winning twice in soft conditions before catching the eye off an eight-month break at Newbury in November. Did well to get involved off a slow pace and on ground a shade too quick; has plenty of potential at this level.

Form: 1/6211-4

Flemcara^t⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 135| D

12/1

Confirmed the promise of a previous run when returned to this level at this time last year, winning off a 2lb lower mark at Exeter. Subsequent outings have failed to live up to that level; recent pulled-up effort leaves him with questions to answer.

Form: U3100-P

Culture De Sivola⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 135| D

28/1

Back down to her last winning mark although her recent outings pose a question mark over her ability to run to hat level. Easy to back in an Ascot Grade 2 last time she should appreciate this ease in class; others still appeal more.

Form: 5P-3255

Coded Message²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 135

7/1

Relished the test over 3m and the bigger field when winning by 10L at Kempton late last year off a 15lb lower mark. Continued in good heart since then having been more highly tried; needs a real test at this trip, would appreciate any further rain.

Form: 332143

Kris Spin^t1¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 134| D

100/1

Useful in handicaps over hurdles at his best he's been lightly-raced since winning back-to-back staying handicaps in early-2018. Only raced three times since those successes indicating he's been hard to train and struggled last time out.

Form: 011/7-P9

Remastered^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 133

8/1

Never really gone on from his Ffos Las novice win over 2m in testing conditions although he did run a career-best prior to his wind op at Chepstow (3m, heavy). Far from in the same form post-surgery weakening quickly; needs to bounce back.

Form: 52-052P

Sakhee's City^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 133

33/1

Quirky sort who returned from a break in good form building on a sound reappearance effort to take a Wetherby handicap over 4f shorter. Appeared stretched by this trip soon after before finding his form back at shorter last time; trip doubts remain.

Form: 08-2152

Liosduin Bhearna⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131

6/1

In good form when taking back-to-back handicap hurdles over 2m4f at the start of last year off much lower marks. Not seen since falling at Haydock in November although it looks as though he may face a tough task off this mark.

Form: 2211-0F

Blackjack Kentucky²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

5/2

Took a while to get off the mark over hurdles but had some sound form to his name especially his second to Cheltenham-bound The Big Breakaway. Didn't need to improve on that form last time (Chepstow win); should progress on handicap debut.

Form: 833-221

Bryden Boy^p¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 118| CD

14/1

C&D winner who justified strong support when taking a much lower-class handicap at Sedgefield in November to end a long losing sequence. Ran creditably after that until last time out when running poorly over C&D; looks tested in this grade.

Form: 5-91236

Non-Runners

Point Of Principle³⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: Tim Vaughan J: Charlie Price

Forecasts

Blackjack Kentucky (5/2), Geordie B (7/2), Liosduin Bhearna (6/1), Coded Message (7/1), Remastered (8/1), Flemcara (12/1), Bryden Boy (14/1), Point Of Principle (16/1), Shades Of Midnight (18/1), Culture De Sivola (28/1), Sakhee's City (33/1), Kris Spin (100/1)

The class element of the race lies with the topweight and Rendlesham winner from last year Shades Of Midnight but he would have to be at his very best to defy this mark and a long absence. Testing conditions would enable Coded Message to show her true worthy having run well outside of handicaps of late whilst Blackjack Kentucky is a leading candidate as he steps into handicap company for the first time having recently recorded his first victory. GEORDIE B caught the eye when returning to action although the race wasn’t run to suit he still showed that he has obvious claims off the mark.