16:10 Doncaster

Saturday 22 October 2022

All13:2013:5514:3015:0015:3516:1016:45

vertem.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 1m 1.46s

(10)

Came From The Dark²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 102| D

14/1

Won 2 of his 4 starts last season, including Sandown Group 3. After 4 months off/second wind op, ran better than previously this year when 3 lengths eighth of 10 in listed race at Ascot last time. Could bounce back in a handicap.

Form: 121-008

(11)

Justanotherbottle^b¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: O McSweeney⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 101| C| D

66/1

Admirable 8-y-o who enhanced his fine course record at Ripon when successful there in June. However, has been hit and miss since, finishing last of 5 in minor event at Musselburgh 12 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 505025

(9)

Whenthedealinsdone^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: R A Teal| OR: 98| D

10/1

Back to form when comfortably winning handicap at Ascot last month. Perhaps found the Portland here (5/1 favourite) coming too soon 8 days later and ran better when fourth back at Ascot 3 weeks ago. More needed.

Form: 702104

(6)

Designer²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 97| D

17/2

Better than ever when winning 17-runner handicap at York in August and ran creditably when 1½ lengths fifth of 10 in listed race at Ascot 3 weeks ago. Has good value 5-lb claimer on board back in handicap company.

Form: 180615

(13)

Tolstoy^t³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: S C Williams| OR: 95

40/1

Won handicap at Chelmsford (6f) in June on final start for John & Thady Gosden. Has run below form both starts since for his new yard, so has enough to prove at present.

Form: 1-92196

(8)

Kimngrace^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: R Hughes| OR: 93| D

9/1

Career best when winning 15-runner handicap at York 15 days ago by 3 lengths from Vintage Clarets, impressing with the way she put the race to bed in the final furlong. Could still have more to offer.

Form: 252261

(5)

Copper Knight^p,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| CD

14/1

8-y-o who returned to his best when successful at Chester in June. Has struggled for form since, but there have been better signs in cheekpieces on his last 2 starts. Winner of this race last year off an 8 lb higher mark.

Form: 000077

(3)

Vintage Clarets⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| D

7/2

Has worked his way back to form this year, again running well when finding only a thriving sort too strong in handicap at Catterick a week ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 001022

(12)

Nomadic Empire^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| BF| D

16/1

Having dropped further in the weights, got back on track when fourth in the Portland here last month. Shaped better than result when third at Haydock next time, prior to a below-par run at York 15 days ago. Cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 045430

(4)

Fast Response¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 88| D

9/2

Built on her previous 2 placed efforts when gaining a first handicap success at Nottingham (5f) 10 days ago. Task is now to back up her latest effort in this stronger company.

Form: 304331

(2)

Count D'Orsay⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: S H James| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| D

5/1

Hasn't won since 2020, but shaped as if back in form from a poor draw when fifth of 15 in handicap at Catterick 7 days ago, first home in group. Finished third in the Portland last month and can give his running again.

Form: 703035

(1)

Sunday Sovereign^b1,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| D

22/1

Yet to score in 2022 and form has gone the wrong way on his last 2 starts, finishing down the field both outings in September. Blinkered for 1st time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 205000

(7)

Lullaby Bay¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: F Norton| T: K R Burke| OR: 83| D

13/2

Completed quick-fire hat-trick switched to handicaps in May. Found it tough in her 2 attempts in listed company since, but produced a career best when collared only close home in minor event at Musselburgh 12 days ago. Major player.

Form: 196052

Forecasts

Vintage Clarets (7/2), Fast Response (9/2), Count D'Orsay (5/1), Lullaby Bay (13/2), Designer (17/2), Kimngrace (9/1), Whenthedealinsdone (10/1), Came From The Dark (14/1), Copper Knight (14/1), Nomadic Empire (16/1), Sunday Sovereign (22/1), Tolstoy (40/1), Justanotherbottle (66/1)

A wide-open looking contest, with preference for LULLABY BAY to build on her career-best effort 12 days ago and return to winning ways back in handicap company. In receipt of weight all round, she can see off the challenge of fellow 3-y-o Kimngrace who is respected after her York success last time, with Came From The Dark completing the shortlist.