15:15 Doncaster

Saturday 30 January 2021

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Sky Bet Handicap Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 13.2s

Mister Malarky^p⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 156| D

25/1

Has struggled for consistency but the ability is certainly there, reacting positively to a switch to front-running tactics when taking 3m Ascot Listed handicap in December. Needs to back it up now.

Form: P1P-6U1

Aye Right¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 151| BF| D

8/1

Has quickly developed into very smart chaser, third in Charlie Hall before excellent second in Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November. Sharper for a recent spin in jumpers' bumper. Respected.

Form: 15-2326

Give Me A Copper^t⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| D

11/1

Lightly-raced but smart staying chaser. Off 11 months, showed he still retains his ability when ½-length second to Rocky's Treasure on C&D return but this looks harder.

Form: 4F4/17-2

Canelo^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 148| C| D

15/2

Improving chaser who was second to Cap Du Nord at Newbury before resuming winning ways in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Enjoys a 4 lb pull in weights with Cap Du Nord. Big player.

Form: 01-0121

Takingrisks^p⁶³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 146| D

40/1

Former Scottish Grand National winner who was all the better for reappearance when staying-on fourth to Yorkhill in Rehearsal at Newcastle 9 weeks ago. Might find some of these a bit quick for him.

Form: 5165-P4

Rocky's Treasure^p⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 145| CD

20/1

C&D Grade 2 winner as novice. Things haven't always gone to plan since but a return to this venue saw him bounce back to form to beat Give Me A Copper last time. Up 7 lb in deeper race now, though.

Form: 2/PP-U91

One For The Team³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 141| D

5/1

Useful hurdler who quickly matched that level over fences when second of 5 in Grade 2 at Newbury (23f) in November. Not disgraced in Kempton Grade 1 since. First handicap in this sphere.

Form: 31-3U25

Boldmere⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 140| BF| CD

6/1

C&D winner last term. Bit better than result when fourth to Rocky's Treasure and Give Me A Copper back here latest, tying up late on after clouting 2 out. This looks too competitive, though.

Form: 11F-444

The Butcher Said^h,t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 139| D

11/1

Useful hurdler who has made a positive start to chasing, winning 2 novices. Set a lot to do when 14 lengths sixth in 23f Newbury handicap when last seen in November. Yard in good form.

Form: 2-12136

Cap Du Nord^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 139

4/1

Form taken off lately, winning in big field at Newbury before second to very progressive Royale Pagaille at Kempton. The well-held third in that contest won next time so the form looks really strong.

Form: 316-412

Musical Slave⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

6/1

Progressive over hurdles and similar story over fences, making promising return when fifth in 2½m Newbury handicap. Capable of better, especially if brushing up jumping. Connections won this before.

Form: 58132-5

Non-Runners

Yorkhill⁶³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 11

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Guitar Pete²¹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 11

T: N G Richards J: R D Day

Forecasts

Cap Du Nord (4/1), One For The Team (5/1), Boldmere (6/1), Musical Slave (6/1), Canelo (15/2), Aye Right (8/1), The Butcher Said (11/1), Give Me A Copper (11/1), Yorkhill (16/1), Rocky's Treasure (20/1), Mister Malarky (25/1), Guitar Pete (33/1), Takingrisks (40/1)

It's tough to ignore the claims of CAP DU NORD given the way his second to possible Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Royale Pagaille at Kempton over Christmas has worked out. Rowland Meyrick winner Canelo chased home the selection at Newbury in November and could be the one to give him most to think about again. Ladbrokes Trophy second Aye Right and Philip Hobbs's Musical Slave are also shortlisted.