17:20 Doncaster

Saturday 1 April 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Pertemps Network Apprentice Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 17:23 | Winning time: 2m 24.03s

(5)

Zuraig^h¹²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Jordan Williams| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 72| D

40/1

Windsor novice winner for Andrew Balding in May 2021 and produced some fair efforts for Iain Jardine last year. However, he hasn't shown much in 2 starts over hurdles for new connections and is opposable back in this sphere.

Form: 649302-

(1)

Lunar Jet³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁷⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 71| D

4/1

Struggled last season and while he's dangerous to completely discount off this lowly mark, there wasn't a great deal of encouragement in his efforts over hurdles at Ayr and Ludlow in February.

Form: 935369-

(7)

Aldbourne¹⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 71| D

11/4

Much-improved with the mud flying in October, bagging back-to-back handicaps Nottingham and Brighton. Safely held when bidding for the hat-trick over this C&D on final start of last season but effectively 6 lb lower now and he's one to consider.

Form: 795118-

(9)

Mrs Meader¹⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Sam Feilden⁽³⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 69| D

13/2

Took a while to shed her maiden tag but after doing so at Newbury last June she went on to add two more handicaps to her tally, signing off with a second success at Newbury (1½m, heavy) in October. Resumes on a 5 lb higher mark but leading claims nonetheless.

Form: 431211-

(4)

Crafter^p1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 68| D

17/2

Winner of the first of his 2 starts in France for Andrew Fabre in 2021 but hasn't really threatened in 4 appearances for present connections. Now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 156/0-60

(10)

Absolute Ruler^h1,t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Aidan Keeley| T: J Candlish| OR: 68

25/1

Close third in a Leopardstown Group 2 as a juvenile for Donnacha Aidan O'Brien but it's been downhill pretty much all the way since. Equipped with cheekpieces last 3 starts but now sports a first-time hood and tongue strap refitted.

Form: 707-750

(6)

Menelaus¹⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 67

13/2

Yet to get his head in front but capable of doing so judged on several pieces of form, not least when a close-up third of 14 on handicap debut over a mile at Ayr last season. Has failed to reproduce that form in 3 subsequent starts, though.

Form: 443076-

(11)

Glory And Honour^v1²⁸

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

15/2

Registered a quickfire double in 1½m handicaps last summer but put in his place off a similar mark on latest start in this sphere, and effort over hurdles here last month was hardly inspiring. Visor applied.

Form: 83113-5

(8)

Ivy Avenue^p³³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Erika Parkinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 63| D

16/1

Some decent handicap form in Ireland for Jim Bolger and while she didn't shown much in 5 starts over hurdles for Warren Greatrex, this 6-y-o is one to note in the betting starting out for a shrewd yard off a potentially handy mark.

Form: 443540/

(2)

Don't Look Back⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 61

28/1

Displayed a fair level of ability when in the care of Richard Hughes but lightly-raced for present yard and efforts over hurdles this year have been poor.

Form: 65346/4-

(12)

Mac Ailey^b⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Christian Howarth| T: T D Easterby| OR: 51| D

12/1

Resumed winning ways when scoring at Southwell (1m) in December and didn't do much wrong when runner-up over the same C&D next time. However, form took a turn for the worse at Newcastle and his turf strike rate (2-47) tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 5001-20

(3)

Straitouttacompton^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Aiden Brookes| T: M C Chapman| OR: 46

80/1

Best effort for a while when fourth in a 7-runner affair at Southwell (11f) recently but he's not especially appealing back on turf.

Form: 785084

Forecasts

Aldbourne (11/4), Lunar Jet (4/1), Mrs Meader (13/2), Menelaus (13/2), Glory And Honour (15/2), Crafter (17/2), Mac Ailey (12/1), Ivy Avenue (16/1), Absolute Ruler (25/1), Don't Look Back (28/1), Zuraig (40/1), Straitouttacompton (80/1)

While she admittedly has a bit to prove, IVY AVENUE is on a good mark judged on her peak Irish form and could be worth chancing starting out for the shrewd Michael Appleby yard here, particularly if the market speaks in her favour. Mrs Meader and Aldbourne both improved last season and the former, who won 3 of her final 4 starts of the 2022 campaign, is feared most.