13:05 Doncaster

Thursday 9 February 2023

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:33

Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 1.50s

Golden Town¹⁰⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 93| D

8/1

Veteran who has dropped a fair way in the weights and not disgraced when staying on for fourth at Uttoxeter (15.8f) in October. Eased further 4 lb ahead of this but others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: 5-74484

Glory Bridge^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 92| D

9/4

Sedgefield bumper winner who offered more than previously over hurdles when runner-up in a C&D novice 13 days ago, keeping on without threatening the winner. Likely there's more to come now handicapping and he's respected.

Form: P/1-642

Monymusk Lad^h,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Price| T: L Horsfall| OR: 88

22/1

Went the wrong way in bumpers and modest form at best over hurdles. Let down by his jumping on chase bow at Fakenham (21.2f) on New Year's Day and others more appealing ahead of this switch back to timber.

Form: 857-P6F

Professor Calculus^t⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Angus Cheleda| T: N J Hawke| OR: 88

14/1

Maiden on Flat/over hurdles who showed no aptitude for chasing when well beaten fourth at Hereford (2m) back in November. Now operating from career-low mark ahead of return to hurdles if short break has had positive effect.

Form: 576-584

Half The Freedom^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁶⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 86| CD

5/4

Displayed promise prior to getting off the mark in a C&D novices' handicap 2 weeks ago, looking well served by the return to better ground. Rider's claim off-setts subsequent weight rise and he's a definite player again.

Form: 84-2651

Melvich Bay³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: D Brooke| OR: 82

66/1

Failed to kick on following a promising start in bumpers and showed little in trio of novice/maiden hurdles spread over 11 months. Does at least now get a crack at handicaps but would need to see market support to make him of interest.

Form: 05444-0

Ivetwiggedit³⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁸⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 77

9/2

Well held in bumper/trio of mares' novice hurdles during 2021/22 for Ben Pauling. Has since switched yards ahead of this handicap debut and worth a check in the betting for positive vibes.

Form: 0076-

Ace Time²³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Ben Godfrey| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 74

50/1

Purple patch when landing 2m handicap hurdles at Leicester and Uttoxeter late in 2021. However, struggled to find his form during first half of last year, pulled up at Worcester (20f) in June. Absent since.

Form: 6577-6P

Non-Runners

Bashful²⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: I Jardine J: Dylan Johnston

Sage Advice⁴⁰

Weight: 11-13| Age: 6

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Half The Freedom (5/4), Glory Bridge (9/4), Bashful (3/1), Ivetwiggedit (9/2), Golden Town (8/1), Professor Calculus (14/1), Sage Advice (14/1), Monymusk Lad (22/1), Ace Time (50/1), Melvich Bay (66/1)

GLORY BRIDGE displayed more than previously over hurdles (on back of a wind op) when runner-up in a C&D novice 2 weeks ago and, with further progress anticipated now handicapping, he could be worth chancing to take another step forward now. Half The Freedom, a winner over C&D on the same card, is an obvious threat however, whilst Bashful is another making the shortlist.