14:25 Doncaster

Saturday 26 March 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4617:16

SBK Spring Mile Handicap (Str)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 38.40s

(8)

General Lee^b²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: P & O Cole| OR: 85

6/1

Picked up progressive thread (in blinkers) during second half of last season, winning Windsor maiden (10f) and career-best when defying 6 lb lower mark at Goodwood (9f) final start in August. Looks a live player on return.

Form: 723131-

(9)

Star Shield^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| CD

17/2

Winless on turf last term but notched second AW victory of the winter at Newcastle (1m) in January. Similar form when third in 6-runner event 10 days ago but his mark does look about right.

Form: 412-133

(6)

A Boy Named Ivy¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 83| D

5/1

Won at Redcar on return last Sprimg, and recorded a number of solid efforts in defeat after. He's fallen back to his Redcar mark and is much respected.

Form: 552230-

(7)

May Night^p1³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 83

12/1

Progressive during light 2021 campaign, gaining third AW success at Wolverhampton (7f) in November. Not entirely disgraced when sixth of 9 at Kempton (1m) last time (solid form) and he's still relatively lightly-raced on turf.

Form: 8113-46

(5)

Mostawaa⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: H Main| OR: 83| D

9/2

Winner at Kempton (1m) last winter prior to big effort when third in this 12 months ago (from 5 lb higher). More miss than hit thereafter but eased in weights and far from disgraced when midfield in 1m, AW handicap latest. Bold showing not ruled out re-united with Silvestre De Sousa.

Form: 40705-6

(3)

Empirestateofmind^b¹⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 83| BF| D

10/3

Steadily progressive last summer, registering third victory in handicaps over 1m at Pontefract in October and found only an upwardly-mobile sort too strong at Redcar final start. Has to be worth a look on return.

Form: 211212-

(1)

Arthur's Realm³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 81| D

11/2

Ripon novice winner (1m) who ran best race when third in a Newbury handicap (10f) in September. Below form on return from 5 months off at Newcastle (1m) last month but he may well strip fitter now.

Form: 12436-6

(2)

Invincibly¹²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 81| D

11/1

Came in for well-judged rides when landing handicaps at Ayr/Newcastle (1m) last summer. Did too much too soon when last of 9 at Chelmsford (1m) in November but mark demands that little bit more in any case.

Form: 621139-

Non-Runners

(4)

Mustarrid¹⁴⁰

Weight: 8-11| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: David Egan

Forecasts

Empirestateofmind (10/3), Mostawaa (9/2), A Boy Named Ivy (5/1), Arthur's Realm (11/2), General Lee (6/1), Star Shield (17/2), Invincibly (11/1), May Night (12/1), Mustarrid (25/1)

A number arrive with claims, including Michael Dods' A BOY NAMED IVY. A winner on return at Redcar last spring, he produced a host of solid efforts in defeat thereafter and, having fallen back to his last winning mark, it would come as no surprise to see him primed for another big run. Empirestateofmind progressed nicely in handicaps last term and is feared. General Lee and Mostawaa complete the shortlist.