13:25 Doncaster

Saturday 6 November 2021

All11:5012:2012:5513:2514:0514:4015:1015:45

Virgin Bet Handicap

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 1m 30.5s

(6)

Accidental Agent^b1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 105| D

25/1

Clearly not the force of old and while he managed to strike off just a 1 lb lower mark at Newmarket in July, others make more appeal here. Blinkers applied.

Form: 172660

(8)

Dashing Roger²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: W Stone| OR: 104| D

22/1

Further progress when bagging 1m handicaps at Sandown and Ascot during the summer. Struggled in a valuable event back at Ascot last time and he's probably a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: 041310

(5)

Tomfre²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 102| CD

4/1

Signed off last season by winning this race off just a 1 lb lower mark. Looks primed for another bold show on the back of a creditable recent effort at Leicester, with conditions again in his favour.

Form: 229852

(16)

Young Fire^v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| D

25/1

Rather in-and-out subsequent to latest success at Haydock in July, but underfoot conditions certainly won't be an issue and each-way shout if on a going day.

Form: 620028

(4)

Boosala³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| D

22/1

Winner of both starts at 2 yrs and shaped well when a close third at Wolverhampton on sole start last year. Out with the washing in an Ascot Group 3 on belated return in October and bit to prove now.

Form: 11/3-0

(7)

Fresh^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 97| BF

6/1

Consistent performer who has done little wrong since scoring at Ascot in May, shaping as though well worth another try at this trip when third over 6f here recently. High on the shortlist.

Form: 512833

(3)

Quizical²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 95| D

40/1

It's been over 2 years since he last got his head in front and while this 6-y-o is capable of making his presence felt off this mark, others make more appeal on balance.

Form: 982050

(18)

Raising Sand^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 94| D

80/1

Ascot specialist who is very capable on his day, particularly when there's plenty of give underfoot. However, this season's efforts suggest that he may no longer be at the peak of his powers.

Form: 068390

(12)

Orbaan^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

15/2

York winner off a 6 lb higher mark last year and posted his best effort for a while when runner-up over C&D a fortnight ago. Conditions no problem and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 506002

(9)

Hafeet Alain¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E Walker| OR: 93| C| D

11/2

Didn't show much in Hong Kong last year, but he won twice on these shores for Adrian Nicholls in 2019 and made an encouraging return when fourth over this C&D 2 weeks ago. Very much one to consider.

Form: 11/900-4

(15)

Cold Stare^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| D

66/1

Notched second success of the season at Ayr (6f) last month, but has failed to fire in 2 subsequent starts (well adrift of Orbaan and Hafeet Alain over C&D recently) and looks vulnerable once more.

Form: 012100

(17)

Boardman²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: P Hanagan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91| D

11/1

Real success for Tim Easterby this year, landing hat-trick with bit in hand at Chester in May. Form has been up and down since, but latest effort at York (6f) was creditable and couldn't rule out.

Form: 000405

(2)

Zip^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Jonny Peate⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| CD

22/1

Largely held his form well this year and regained the winning thread at Musselburgh (7.2f) on penultimate start. However, he finished nearer last than first over this C&D recently.

Form: 563310

(1)

Marshal Dan³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: S De Sousa| T: H Main| OR: 87| D

14/1

Allowed to dominate when resuming winning ways at Sandown in September and by no means disgraced at Ascot (7f) next time. Proven on slow ground and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 905015

(13)

Alexander James²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 86

9/1

Winless since 2019 but has posted encouraging efforts in 1m handicaps at York and Haydock the last twice. Current mark looks workable and place possibilities with conditions to suit.

Form: 679952

(14)

Bernardo O'Reilly⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: M Dwyer| T: R Spencer| OR: 85| C| D

12/1

Useful and consistent operator who is 1 lb lower than for his latest success, which was gained over 6f here last September. Versatile ground-wise and he's another with an each-way chance.

Form: 024923

(10)

Danzan^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 83

80/1

More good efforts than bad ones this year, but form dipped when only seventh in a 10-runner handicap here (6f) 15 days ago and losing run stretches back to 2018.

Form: 333357

(11)

Paws For Thought^h1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Jane Elliott| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 86| D

66/1

Made a winning reappearance at Chester's May meeting, but hasn't really threatened to add to that in half-a-dozen subsequent starts and he was well at Haydock last time. Hood enlisted.

Form: 547440

Forecasts

Tomfre (4/1), Hafeet Alain (11/2), Fresh (6/1), Orbaan (15/2), Alexander James (9/1), Boardman (11/1), Bernardo O'Reilly (12/1), Marshal Dan (14/1), Boosala (22/1), Dashing Roger (22/1), Zip (22/1), Young Fire (25/1), Accidental Agent (25/1), Quizical (40/1), Cold Stare (66/1), Paws For Thought (66/1), Raising Sand (80/1), Danzan (80/1)

There were plenty of positives to glean from HAFEET ALAIN's belated reappearance fourth over this C&D a fortnight ago and, likely to strip fitter this time, he could be the answer. Orbaan was runner-up in that handicap and should be on the premises once more, but bigger threats may be posed by the consistent Fresh, who is unexposed at this trip, and last year's winner Tomfre.