14:40 Doncaster

Saturday 30 January 2021

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

Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 20.30s

Shang Tang²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 129

28/1

Won a 2m5f novice hurdle at Ascot in November, but fell at the first on his next outing at Wincanton and folded tamely when pulled up in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton. Step up in trip a worry, too.

Form: 20-31FP

Ashtown Lad⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| BF| D

9/2

Took a major step forward when bolting up on handicap debut at Uttoxeter in November, coping well with step up to 3m. Needs to bounce back from a lesser effort at Cheltenham behind a couple of these.

Form: 17-2115

Ask A Honey Bee⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| D

3/1

Useful 3-time bumper winner. Successful start to hurdles career at Wetherby and better form when placed all 3 starts since, behind Pats Fancy in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle latest.

Form: 10-1223

Bobhopeornohope⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 128| C| D

11/2

Point winner who made a successful hurdles bow at Exeter in November (from Ask A Honey Bee). Maintained 100% record in this sphere over C&D later that month and step up in trip here is a good move.

Form: 1/35-11

Castle Robin^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 130| D

14/1

Handicap winner at Cheltenham in October (21f). Even better effort in defeat when runner-up to Emir Sacree in an Ascot handicap last month and was then not disgraced when sixth in the Lanzarote.

Form: 3-31126

Emir Sacree^h⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131

8/1

Defied a lengthy absence to make a winning start for Nicky Henderson in an Ascot handicap hurdle (2m5½f) last month, making all under a well-judged ride. Much depends on whether he sees out 3m.

Form: 3222F/1

Exploiteur²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Lily Pinchin| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 129| D

12/1

Failed to score in 4 starts last season but has progressed well this term, winning handicaps at Ffos Las in November and Chepstow in December. Slog over 3m fine but this is a rise in class.

Form: 45-2113

Fern Hill⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 130

9/1

Progressed again to edge out an in-form, subsequent winner back at Wetherby last month (21.3f), rallying well close home. Should improve further for this step up to 3m so prospect of more to come.

Form: 7-311

Pats Fancy⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 133

7/1

Encouragement in bumpers and took big step forward on his debut over hurdles at Ffos Las, beating an impressive subsequent winner. Built on that when second in Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Form: 42-2612

Portstorm⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 121

50/1

Fair bumper performer who was well prepared to make a successful return in 21.4f Ayr novice last month. Return to this longer trip will suit but this is a big ask.

Form: F5324-1

The Cob³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 128| BF

25/1

Uttoxeter novice winner on return and improved to follow up in 19f heavy-ground Haydock handicap a month later. Not in the same form at Newbury and others look more progressive up in trip.

Form: 7/23-113

Took The Lot⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

80/1

Registered 2 comfortable wins at Bangor in the autumn. Beaten a long way behind a few of these in much stronger company at Cheltenham last time, however.

Form: 37-2118

Non-Runners

Flash Collonges²¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ask A Honey Bee (3/1), Ashtown Lad (9/2), Flash Collonges (5/1), Bobhopeornohope (11/2), Pats Fancy (7/1), Emir Sacree (8/1), Fern Hill (9/1), Exploiteur (12/1), Castle Robin (14/1), The Cob (25/1), Shang Tang (28/1), Portstorm (50/1), Took The Lot (80/1)

A wide-open renewal with PATS FANCY just about the most appealing following an excellent runner-up effort on just his second hurdles start in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Ask A Honey Bee and Bobhopeornohope tie in with that form and merit respect.