16:45 Doncaster

Wednesday 7 September 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Vertem Nursery (Str)

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 1m 40.03s

(4)

Shahbaz²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-11| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: C Fellowes| OR: 82| BF

4/1

Sent off a well-backed favourite but failed to meet expectations when fifth of 14 at Chelmsford City (7f, 6/4) 22 days ago. Step up to a mile should be in his favour on handicap debut.

Form: 425

(3)

X J Rascal³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 81| BF

11/4

Debut winner at Brighton in June and has been beaten only a head in a pair of nursery starts so far, including at this course (7f, good to firm) 34 days ago. Shortlist material.

Form: 1422

(8)

Starnberg³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 79

7/1

Hasn't really progressed as expected from a promising debut third at Ascot, though didn't look entirely at home dropped to 6f last time. May now find improvement in handicaps, though no chances taken with opening mark.

Form: 324

(9)

Pure Gold⁴⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D Menuisier| OR: 79

12/1

Belied odds of 28/1 to make winning debut on AW but went backwards when only ninth of 10 to Dance In The Grass in listed race (10/1) at Sandown (7f, good) 48 days ago. Makes handicap debut. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 19

(6)

Maximilian Caesar³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: N Callan| T: M Botti| OR: 77

15/2

Won novice at Yarmouth on his second start and matched that form when third of 6 in minor event at Windsor (8.1f, good to firm) 31 days ago. Anticipated stronger gallop here should suit.

Form: 613

(2)

Grand Central^t1¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: C G Cox| OR: 76

11/2

Soon back to form when third of 13 at Ffos Las (7.4f, good) 12 days ago, shaping very much in the manner of one who will be well suited by middle distances in time. Capable of better on handicap debut fitted with tongue tie.

Form: 763

(5)

Impulsive Reaction³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74

11/2

Won at Musselburgh in June. Caught eye when seventh of 11 in nursery (5/1) at this course (7f, good to firm) 34 days ago, seemingly finishing with lots left in the tank having been left with a lot to do. Worth considering.

Form: 3137

(10)

Harlem Nights⁶⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 72

16/1

Matched debut form when fifth of 8 in minor event at Ayr (7.2f, good) 65 days ago. Settled better there but others still make more appeal on handicap bow.

Form: 575

(1)

Leap Year Lad^p1⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-5| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 62

40/1

Yet to really get competitive in any event, including when last of 7 on nursery bow at Wolverhampton on Saturday. Tough to fancy.

Form: 6697

Non-Runners

(7)

Monty Man⁵

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

Forecasts

X J Rascal (11/4), Shahbaz (4/1), Grand Central (11/2), Impulsive Reaction (11/2), Starnberg (7/1), Maximilian Caesar (15/2), Pure Gold (12/1), Monty Man (14/1), Harlem Nights (16/1), Leap Year Lad (40/1)

X J RASCAL has been narrowly denied on both his starts in nurseries and should be well up to winning a race of this nature from a mark only 1 lb higher. Shahbaz was the subject of notable market support last time and can get back on track switched to handicaps, whilst Impulsive Reaction was an eye-catcher over 7f here last time.