15:25 Doncaster

Friday 11 December 2020

All11:5512:3213:0713:4214:1714:5215:25

Visit attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 52.33s

Mustang Alpha³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 117

12/1

Winning pointer who is now going the right way as a hurdler, off the mark in a 12-runner handicap at Hereford in November. May have more to come but this is is tougher.

Form: 03-3P21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Zarafshan⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 115WS

33/1

Fair maiden in Ireland on the Flat and a similar level over hurdles for current yard. Has a tame handicap debut at Chepstow to put behind him, however.

Form: 542-83P

Eyeofthescorpion⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 114

12/1

Signs of promise prior to landing a gamble in ready style on Huntingdon handicap debut, powering clear in the end. Similar form when second at Sedgefield since (bled), so not ruled out if all is well.

Form: 40-512

Coeur Serein²⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 114

18/1

Fair in bumpers and shaped better than the result in a trio of novice hurdles last term, notably when third at Newbury in February. Type to do better in handicaps this season.

Form: 33732-

Nautical Star¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 113

150/1

Fair form over hurdles last term but no encouragement since returning.

Form: 626-P89

Henri Le Bon²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 113

28/1

Brought along gradually over hurdles and signed off last season with an improved second on handicap debut at Carlisle. Shaped as if needing his reappearance, so could get back on the up.

Form: 5/7032-6

High Change^b¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J McGrath| T: C Hills| OR: 113

50/1

Winner of 2m bumper at Ffos Las in June 2019. Stepped up on previous hurdling efforts when third in first-time blinkers at Taunton 15 days ago but needs more progress if he's to feature in this.

Form: 130-33

Frau Georgia^p,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112| BF

33/1

Winner at Perth in September and resumed progress in first-time cheekpieces when runner-up on penultimate start. Has disappointed since, though.

Form: 76-1324

Unai⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling| OR: 107WS

28/1

Benefited from the step up in trip when third in 13-runner Market Rasen novice (20.6f, soft) in February. Looked very rusty in handicap at Hereford on return and mark demands much more.

Form: 3/473-6

Hydroplane⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 107

3/1

Fair 12f Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott and has upped his game since switched to handicaps over hurdles, justifying good support in convincing style at Market Rasen 8 days ago. Definite player.

Form: 84-681

Ventura Magic^h1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: N B King| OR: 99

50/1

Modest maiden hurdler who shaped better than of late in first-time cheekpieces when seventh of 17 over C&D a fortnight ago. Hood on now so not completely ruled out.

Form: 522/P7

Bushypark²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 98

8/11

Successful on Irish point debut in January and highly progressive since switched to handicaps, again barely off the bridle to land the hat-trick at Hexham 2 days ago. Obvious claims.

Form: 608111

Non-Runners

Cathal's Star⁴⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: N G Richards J: Danny McMenamin

Forecasts

Bushypark (8/11), Hydroplane (3/1), Eyeofthescorpion (12/1), Mustang Alpha (12/1), Cathal's Star (12/1), Coeur Serein (18/1), Henri Le Bon (28/1), Unai (28/1), Zarafshan (33/1), Frau Georgia (33/1), Ventura Magic (50/1), High Change (50/1), Nautical Star (150/1)

BUSHYPARK has looked way ahead of the assessor of late and it's unlikely that a penalty for another bloodless victory on Wednesday will be enough to stop him if he takes his chance. Hydroplane is the obvious danger on the back of his first hurdling success and Eyeofthescorpion remains with potential, so it looks a strong race for the grade.