16:46 Doncaster

Saturday 26 March 2022

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

SBK Apprentice Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 2m 12.06s

(7)

The First King^p⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Jordan Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 72| D

33/1

Surprise winner of a Sandown handicap off a 12 lb higher mark in July 2020. Has subsequently failed to reproduce form akin to that, but worth a second look back from a break with cheekpieces refitted for new connections.

Form: 469456-

(3)

Music Seeker^t²⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 70| D

28/1

Losing run stretches back to June 2019 and, having offered little in a trio of appearances last season, he has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 035/088-

(5)

Sandyman⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| D

15/2

Windsor handicap winner for the Coles in 2020 and found just one too good at Nottingham (10.2f) on second start for this yard in October. Below par since, but will be a big player off this mark if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: 7/62869-

(11)

Red Bond⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 67| BF| D

9/2

Plummeted in the weights last year and good third at Wolverhampton back from a break in December. Collared close home upped to 12.2f there next time and this drop back in trip will help, but he's not the most genuine of types.

Form: 67583-2

(8)

Al Qaasim^p,t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Mark Winn⁽⁷⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 65| BF

9/1

Improved on the AW during the winter, winning back-to-back 1m Southwell handicaps in January. Stamina didn't appear to be an issue when second upped to this trip at Chelmsford last time and possibilities if able to continue the good work back on turf.

Form: 706-112

(6)

Precision Storm⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Mr Cameron Hillhouse⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 64

11/2

Consistent type who has been knocking on the door in 9.5f Wolverhampton handicaps in recent months. Yet to strike following nine attempts on turf, but he was runner-up off 1 lb higher at Bath last spring and should again make his presence felt.

Form: 423-422

(4)

Love Your Work⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: O McSweeney| T: R Menzies| OR: 63

9/4

In fine form on the AW for new connections this year, finishing out of the first two just once from seven starts (all at 7f/1m) since changing hands. However, he's 0-13 on turf and couldn't be sure this step back up in trip will be a good thing.

Form: 142121

(2)

Mr Mccall¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Madi Patzelt⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 62

33/1

Modest in bumpers and while he has shown some signs of ability since switched to the Flat, improvement will be needed if he's to open his account here.

Form: 7845

(1)

Nick Vedder²³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: R Brisland| OR: 62| C

25/1

Winless since landing an AW handicap in January 2021 and ended last season on a low-key note. Conversely, he hit the crossbar off a 2 lb higher mark at Goodwood (1¼m) in June and a reproduction of that would give him every chance.

Form: 842856-

(12)

Merci Percy^h²⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 61

66/1

Improved for the fitting of a hood when third on AW/handicap debut at Chelmsford in August, but absent since finishing down the pack at Newcastle the following month.

Form: 60530-

(10)

Liva^t⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: S Lycett| OR: 57| D

28/1

Primarily campaigned on the AW in recent years, successful at Kempton (1½m) last spring and doubled his tally over 2m there in January. Well below par last time, though, and the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 2746-10

(13)

Be Fair¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Mollie Phillips| T: A W Carroll| OR: 56

7/1

All three career wins registered on polytrack, but placed twice on turf at Brighton last season. Creditable efforts at Lingfield (1½m) and Kempton (11f) under Mollie Phillips since returning from a break in February and he needs considering.

Form: 3246-43

(9)

Gearing's Point¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: George Bass| T: M R Channon| OR: 52

28/1

No impact on sole 2-y-o start and, having missed the whole of last season, she hasn't shown much in AW novice events since returning to action this month. Still, worth a second look in the betting now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

Form: 0/67

Forecasts

Love Your Work (9/4), Red Bond (9/2), Precision Storm (11/2), Be Fair (7/1), Sandyman (15/2), Al Qaasim (9/1), Nick Vedder (25/1), Music Seeker (28/1), Gearing's Point (28/1), Liva (28/1), Mr Mccall (33/1), The First King (33/1), Merci Percy (66/1)

With the Michael Appleby yard in good form, SANDYMAN is worth chancing in this wide-open handicap. He was runner-up off a 6 lb higher mark back from a break at Nottingham in October and a reproduction of that would surely see him go close in a race of this nature. Be Fair has acquitted himself well on the all-weather the last twice and he is second choice ahead of Nick Vedder and Al Qaasim.