17:16 Doncaster

Saturday 26 March 2022

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

SBK Apprentice Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 2m 12.67s

(7)

Zambezi Magic^h¹⁵⁹

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

16/1

Has tasted success just once from 18 career starts, namely a 1¼m Haydock handicap for Clive Cox back in August 2020. However, made the frame on his final three appearances of last season and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 545234-

(8)

Alpine Sierra¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 69

11/1

Showed ability in maidens for Dermot Weld last term, but hasn't made much of an impact switched to handicaps the last twice, including on recent return/debut for new yard at Newcastle (1m).

Form: 3630-8

(3)

Dynakite³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: R Brisland| OR: 66

12/1

Twice a winner of 1m Kempton handicaps from five runs for new yard in recent months. Below par last time, but that race may have come too soon and needs considering here with this step back up in trip unlikely to pose a problem.

Form: 04-1415

(12)

Carter Cowboy²²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: O McSweeney| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65| BF

7/2

Yet to get his head in front, but more good efforts than bad ones after going down the handicap route last term, runner-up off this mark at Wolverhampton (9.5f) and Carlisle (9f) on final two starts of 2021. Likely to be on the premises.

Form: 834622-

(1)

Straitouttacompton^p,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Elle-May Croot⁽⁷⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 64

25/1

Has performed with credit on two of his four starts since following a break/wind surgery, but latest effort at Newcastle was underwhelming and he looks vulnerable, for all that the handicapper has cut him some slack.

Form: 643-634

(2)

Wots The Wifi Code^p¹⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 62| D

11/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign last season, bagging handicaps at Ripon (1m) and Redcar (1¼m), and also hit the crossbar on two occasions. However, his record when fresh doesn't augur well and current mark may prove just beyond reach.

Form: 125218-

(10)

Mitigator^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Tyler Heard| T: P Leech| OR: 62

10/3

Hit the target on third start for this yard with blinkers refitted at Kempton (11f) a fortnight ago, landing a gamble in the process. 3 lb rise fair enough and, with Tyler Heard again in the hot-seat, he's one of the more likely winners.

Form: 230/371

(6)

Invincible Soldier¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Owen Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 62| D

9/2

Successful twice in handicaps at around this trip last year, latterly at Wolverhampton in September. Creditable third on recent return from a break there and conditions no problem now returned to turf, so he's not discounted.

Form: 31563-3

(11)

Masque Of Anarchy¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: William Pyle⁽⁷⁾| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 60| D

33/1

Missed whole of 2020 campaign, but did well during stints for Stephen Hanlon and subsequently Tim Fitzgerald last year, winning three times in total. However, needs to raise his game off this mark on return/debut for another new yard here.

Form: 121166-

(13)

Pips Tune³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 56

11/1

Has found some improvement of late, landing back-to-back handicaps over a mile at Chelmsford. Up a total of 8 lb for that brace, but of bigger concern is this step back up in trip now switched to turf.

Form: 3580-11

(4)

Gold Standard⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Mollie Phillips| T: A W Carroll| OR: 56

11/1

Strike rate is hardly compelling (2-30) and unraced on turf since finishing second at Chepstow in June 2020. However, arrives here on the back of a creditable recent effort at Wolverhampton (12.2f) and couldn't rule out in this open race.

Form: 7-33762

Non-Runners

(5)

Lord Torranaga²

Weight: 9-12| Age: 7

T: P A Kirby J: Joe Williamson

(9)

Firewater⁸

Weight: 8-10| Age: 6

T: D C Griffiths J: Gianluca Sanna

Forecasts

Mitigator (10/3), Carter Cowboy (7/2), Invincible Soldier (9/2), Lord Torranaga (10/1), Wots The Wifi Code (11/1), Pips Tune (11/1), Alpine Sierra (11/1), Gold Standard (11/1), Dynakite (12/1), Zambezi Magic (16/1), Straitouttacompton (25/1), Masque Of Anarchy (33/1), Firewater (33/1)

The vote goes to MITIGATOR, who opened his account for this yard upped to 11f at Kempton last time and, still unexposed beyond 1m and raised just 3 lb, this 6-y-o may have more to offer. Dynakite's two victories this year have been followed by below-par efforts, but it could be that he needs more time between races and a bold show could be on the cards here. Carter Cowboy also enters calculations, along with Gold Standard.