16:50 Doncaster

Saturday 19 August 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap (Rnd)

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 38.41s

(13)

Distinguished Lady⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 78

11/1

AW winner on final 2-y-o start and encouraging start this time round when a close third in a 6f Chester handicap in May. Fair to say that she has failed to build on that in 3 subsequent appearances but shapes as though worth a crack at this trip and she's not one to write off just yet.

Form: 01-3577

(2)

Kentucky Bluegrass¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| D

13/2

Left form of sole 2-y-o start well behind when landing novice events at Redcar and Lingfield on first 2 starts of this season. Has failed to threaten switched to handicaps the last twice but he's in good hands and may well get back on track before long.

Form: 8-1155

(8)

Lerwick¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: E Bethell| OR: 77| BF| D

10/3

Improved form to get off the mark from the front in a 1m Pontefract handicap last month. Ran out of petrol in the closing stages when second upped to 9.8f at Ripon (soft) next time and bold show anticipated back down in trip on better ground here.

Form: 24-4712

(14)

Merry Minister¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 77

6/1

Had several subsequent winners behind when landing a 9-runner novice event at Thirsk (7f, soft) in June, but has followed that with a couple of heavy defeats in handicaps at Ripon and Goodwood.

Form: 35160

(7)

Elusive Empire^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 75

11/1

Initial efforts were low-key but improved when finding just one too good in a 7f Salisbury novice last month. Performed to a similar level at Musselburgh (7.2f, good) since and he could have more to offer now upped to a mile for this handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 8622

(11)

Goodfella^p,t¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: P Owens| OR: 74

12/1

Runner-up twice in novice events as a juvenile and, equipped with first-time cheekpieces, turned in his best effort of the season so far when third of 11 at Lingfield (7f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Not without each-way hope returned to handicap company.

Form: 22-9483

(4)

Harlem Nights⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 74

7/2

Stepped up on his juvenile form when making a successful reappearance in 7f Wolverhampton handicap in April. Further progress when hitting the crossbar at Newmarket and Haydock (both at around 1m) the last twice and he's one to consider.

Form: 73-1722

(1)

Taritino¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Stefano Cherchi| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 74

14/1

Won 7f Redcar novice on second start at 2 yrs and almost added to his tally at Yarmouth in June (7f, good to firm). Has failed to make a meaningful impact since, though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 20-6276

(12)

Tabuk²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oliver Stammers| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 74

40/1

All 7 starts for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland were on Dundalk's AW, ending his time over there with a 10.7f maiden win in March. However, he failed to beat a rival home starting out for this yard at Ripon last month.

Form: 4-93518

(6)

Hale End^p⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 72| D

11/1

Raised his game with cheekpieces enlisted when landing a Hamilton handicap (8.3f, good to firm) in decisive fashion in June. 10 lb higher mark proved too much over the same C&D since but eased 2 lb as a result and he's not ruled out.

Form: 53-3413

(10)

Pop World³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: M Dods| OR: 72

50/1

Built on an encouraging 2-y-o debut effort when landing a 6f maiden at Catterick in September. Hasn't shown much in a couple of handicaps this time round, though, and yard saddles a stronger candidate in Hale End.

Form: 21-59

(3)

Mount King^p,t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 66

18/1

Several creditable efforts to his name this year, not least when fourth in a 12-runner Redcar maiden (7f, good to firm) with cheekpieces added (retained here) last weekend. Record stands at 0-10 but return to this trip looks a good move and he's an each-way player.

Form: 448234

Non-Runners

(5)

John Chard Vc¹⁶

Weight: 9-11| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: Rowan Scott

(9)

Speriamo¹¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: P J McBride J: Christian Howarth

Forecasts

Lerwick (10/3), Harlem Nights (7/2), Merry Minister (6/1), Kentucky Bluegrass (13/2), John Chard Vc (7/1), Hale End (11/1), Distinguished Lady (11/1), Elusive Empire (11/1), Goodfella (12/1), Taritino (14/1), Mount King (18/1), Speriamo (25/1), Tabuk (40/1), Pop World (50/1)

This drop back in trip could precipitate a return to winning ways for LERWICK, who did the job well when making all at Pontefract on his penultimate start prior to finding 9.8f on soft ground too much of a test at Ripon recently. Harlem Nights arrives here on the back of a couple of solid efforts in defeat and rates the main danger, while handicap debutant Elusive Empire, Hale End and John Chard VC all merit consideration, too.