16:20 Doncaster

Saturday 23 October 2021

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Virgin Bet Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 0.99s

(6)

Dakota Gold²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 104| BF| C| D

9/2

Smashing sprinter who had a cracking 2020, winning Group 3/trio of listed events. Lightly raced this term, but took a step back in the right direction when third in listed event at Ascot 3 weeks ago.

Form: 1-52073

(8)

Danzeno²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: Ray Dawson| T: M Appleby| OR: 102| D

28/1

Smart veteran who has won a trio of conditions events this summer, latest at Beverley (5f) last month. Ran poorly back in handicap company 3 weeks ago so must bounce back to figure.

Form: 100119

(7)

Makanah¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 100| BF| CD

11/1

C&D winner who bounced back to form returned to calmer waters when third of 6 in minor event (5/2) at Musselburgh (5f, heavy) 12 days ago. Should run his race but others preferred for win purposes.

Form: 740263

(12)

Copper Knight^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| D

22/1

Displayed his customary zip when a decisive winner at York in August, and 2 of his 4 subsequent efforts have been right on the money. Excuses last time (bit keen over 6f) so can bounce back here.

Form: 212020

(4)

Sunday Sovereign^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 98| D

14/1

Notched a third career win at Chester in August and wasted no time getting back to form returned to the minimum trip when runner-up at Catterick last week. Solid each-way claims with a repeat.

Form: 043102

(5)

El Astronaute¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 98| CD

33/1

Scored at Chester in May but is proving more miss than hit this season, only fifth of 6 in minor event (10/3) at Musselburgh (5f, heavy) 12 days ago. Can bounce back in handicap company.

Form: 982505

(15)

Zargun⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 96| D

10/1

Went down narrowly in a big field at York early this month and built on that to end a long losing run when scoring at Catterick 7 days ago. 4 lb rise fair so expected to be bang there in current mood.

Form: 007021

(2)

Boundless Power²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M Appleby| OR: 95| D

4/1

Has done well for his new yard this term, winning twice over 5f at Nottingham in May, and produced a career best when winning 9-runner handicap (7/2) at Ascot (5f, soft) 3 weeks ago. Every chance.

Form: 150421

(13)

Gabrial The Devil²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

40/1

Has been kept busy this year, notching 4 wins from 19 starts (including 3 at Chester). Career-high mark to contend with here but he's likely to remain competitive.

Form: 022191

(3)

Indian Sounds¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Ben Robinson| T: P T Midgley| OR: 90| D

14/1

Yet to win this season but nevertheless looks in the form of his life at present, going down by the narrowest of margins at Musselburgh (5f, heavy, 12/1) 12 days ago. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 205232

(1)

Lahore¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: P J McDonald| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 90| CD

9/1

C&D winner in 2020 but he's yet to make the frame in six runs this term, only seventh of 19 to Illusionist in handicap at York (5f, soft, 14/1) 15 days ago. Mark continues to tumble.

Form: 060007

(9)

Illusionist^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 89| D

7/1

Opened his account for the year at Hamilton in May and suited by strong pace to get back to winning ways after his break in big-field handicap at York (5f, soft) 15 days ago. Solid each-way claims.

Form: 158901

(10)

Zim Baby³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: David Egan| T: M Appleby| OR: 87| D

16/1

Has been given a chance by the handicapper and produced her best effort for a while when third at Pontefract on penultimate start. Not in same form a week later so others make more appeal.

Form: 650635

(14)

Be Proud^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Mollie Phillips⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 83| D

11/1

Three-time 5f winner this year and looked in form for a long way under a change of tactics over 6f at Haydock 8 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on and should get a decent pace to aim at.

Form: 852756

Non-Runners

(11)

Raasel¹⁰

Weight: 8-2| Age: 4

T: M Appleby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Boundless Power (4/1), Dakota Gold (9/2), Raasel (13/2), Illusionist (7/1), Lahore (9/1), Zargun (10/1), Makanah (11/1), Be Proud (11/1), Sunday Sovereign (14/1), Indian Sounds (14/1), Zim Baby (16/1), Copper Knight (22/1), Danzeno (28/1), El Astronaute (33/1), Gabrial The Devil (40/1)

This is extremely competitive, but a chance is taken on INDIAN SOUNDS breaking his duck for the season. Paul Midgley's charge looks in the form of his life at present, losing out by a nostril in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Musselburgh 12 days ago, and he looks too well treated to ignore back in handicap company. Dakota Gold, Raasel and Zargun could have a big say in proceedings, too.