15:35 Doncaster

Friday 15 September 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Betfred Mallard Handicap

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 3m 18.28s

(2)

Real Dream^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 99| C

18/5

Lightly raced 4-y-o who was third in a big field over 1½m at the Dante meeting here in May and impressed stepping up to 1¾m for the first time at Ascot last month, winning by 4¼ lengths. Seemed unsuited by a change of tactics in the Ebor since and remains with potential.

Form: 51-1310

(6)

Bague D'or²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 91

4/1

Hasn't stood much racing but career has been broadly progressive, and he proved he retains all his ability on first outing since leaving Chris Wall after 13 months off when runner-up at York (11.8f) 3 weeks ago. Step back in trip won't inconvenience and he's a big player.

Form: 2/2112-2

(5)

Rhythmic Intent¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 89| CD

11/1

Won this corresponding event in 2021 and, although he doesn't quite look the force of old, his mark reflects that and he'll be suited by a return to this trip having appeared not to get home on his first try at 2m at Goodwood recently.

Form: 464335

(1)

Oneforthegutter²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88

33/1

Caused a surprise when landing an Ascot handicap in July, helped by being able to race off the inside. However, has run poorly both starts in cheekpieces since.

Form: 0-88166

(7)

Quantum Leap^h,t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 87

11/2

Showed his opening mark to a be a lenient one by overcoming a notably slow start at Haydock in July. Ran at least as well in defeat upped further in trip at Nottingham since and ought to remain competitive.

Form: 1-717

(3)

Legendary Day^p,t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 86

12/1

Revived by new connections to win 4 times between November and April, including over hurdles. Never a factor at Kempton in July but got straight back on track when third in 14-runner handicap at York (11.8f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 756483

(8)

The Goat²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

13/8

Cracksman colt who registered a wide-margin success tackling heavy ground for the first time at Goodwood (12f) in August. Couldn't replicate that back on much faster ground in the Melrose at York but conditions a bit more suitable here.

Form: 32-6316

Non-Runners

(4)

Island Brave²⁸²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: H Main J: Gina Mangan

Forecasts

The Goat (13/8), Real Dream (18/5), Bague D'or (4/1), Quantum Leap (11/2), Rhythmic Intent (11/1), Legendary Day (12/1), Island Brave (14/1), Oneforthegutter (33/1)

BAGUE D'OR is a lightly-raced 5-y-o who proved he retains all his ability on first outing for James Ferguson after 13 months off when runner-up at York recently and, with the step back up in trip sure to suit (unexposed at 1¾m), he gets the nod to come out on top. The Goat should find these conditions a bit more suitable than at York and is also of strong interest being the only 3-y-o in the field, while Real Dream remains with potential having been unsuited by a change of tactics in the Ebor.