16:05 Doncaster

Wednesday 24 February 2021

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:05

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 10.55s

Theligny^t⁸¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 132| D

28/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who signed off last term with maiden chase win at Ffos Las. Better effort this term (but still below best) when third in 3m Wetherby handicap chase last time. Back hurdling now.

Form: 3/281-03

Mr Scrumpy⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 130| D

7/1

Successful twice in a 4-race novice campaign and picked up where he left off with victory at Wetherby on first try at 3m. That race didn't work out and well held since. Back from short break now.

Form: 2F1-107

Portstorm²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 128

11/2

Matched previous best over hurdles when off the mark in an Ayr novice (21.4f) in December. Possibly flattered by Doncaster Grade 2 second subsequently and opening mark looks stiff enough.

Form: 5324-12

Mr Clarkson²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 127

50/1

Useful winning hurdler last season and was set to match that form over fences at Taunton in December, in front when unseating rider 2 out. However, he's ran badly over fences/hurdles since.

Form: 35-5U09

Supakalanistic²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

7/1

Versatile performer who scored from 7 lb lower mark at Kempton (24.5f) in November. Held form well since, landing jumpers bumper 2 starts back and no surprise to see another good showing.

Form: 517-112

Big Bresil⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 125

10/3

Landed an 18.5f Exeter novice hurdle 12 months ago and left Lingfield reappearance run in his wake when runner-up on handicap debut at Bangor (19.5f) in January. A repeat leaves him with sound claims

Form: 2/21-52

Ashfield Paddy^h³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

4/1

Progressive in handicap hurdles last season and, having disappointed in 2 chase tries, he returned to form when third of 7 over hurdles at Wincanton (21.3f) latest. Possible he'll be sharper for that.

Form: 121-563

French Paradoxe^h⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: O Signy| OR: 122

12/1

Quickly dispelled a blip over hurdles when battling well to score at Newbury (20.5f) in December. However, he proved disappointing on handicap debut at Wetherby and bounce back called for.

Form: F0-3614

Sultans Pride¹¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: G Boanas| OR: 116WS

10/1

Dual 23f winner at Hexham in October who has had wind op since good fourth in 3m Ayr handicap hurdle towards end of that month. Dropped 2 lb so he enters calculations.

Form: 345-114

Shah An Shah^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 114| CD

17/2

Suited by the step up in trip when landing this race 12 months ago. More miss than hit since, failing to build on his Warwick second when pulled up back there 3 weeks ago.

Form: 1-86P2P

Forecasts

Big Bresil (10/3), Ashfield Paddy (4/1), Portstorm (11/2), Supakalanistic (7/1), Mr Scrumpy (7/1), Shah An Shah (17/2), Sultans Pride (10/1), French Paradoxe (12/1), Theligny (28/1), Mr Clarkson (50/1)

A competitive staying handicap with several holding claims including BIG BRESIL. A low-mileage 6-y-o, he ran his best race to date when runner-up in a Bangor handicap in January and it's possible this even greater test of stamina will bring about further progress. Supakalanistic is proving admirably consistent under various codes and is feared, along with Ashfield Paddy and Sultans Pride.