13:50 Doncaster

Sunday 17 September 2023

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

Hippo Carpet Protector Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 2m 10.40s

(2)

Richard P Smith^p³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 75| D

7/1

Very much had the run of the race when getting off the mark for the season at Lingfield in May and after a pair of lesser efforts, bounced back to form when third of 9 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 32 days ago. Shortlist material.

Form: 431473

(4)

Arch Moon³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 73| D

7/1

Ready winner on his second start of the year at Wetherby in May. Looked a bit short of pace when fifth of 7 in handicap (6/1) at Ayr (10f, good) 36 days ago though, so others are preferred.

Form: 49-7145

(8)

Tribal Wisdom⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72

16/1

Fairly useful form when runner-up on his first 3 starts (match race final occasion) last season but has lost his way since joining this yard, again posing no threat when seventh of 10 in handicap at this course (7f, soft, 100/1) 57 days ago.

Form: 225-007

(3)

Ayyab³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Woods| OR: 75

5/1

Has progressed gradually in maidens/novice events, taking another step forward when runner-up in 9-runner event at Nottingham (8.3f, good to soft) 33 days ago. Should do better over this longer trip and she's a highly-respected handicap newcomer.

Form: 7432

(6)

Ala Kaifi³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: K Shoemark| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 72

10/3

Fair form in maiden/novice company and raised his game when going close on handicap debut at Newmarket in July. Ran to similar level in first-time blinkers when third of 5 in handicap at Haydock (10.4f, good, 10/3) 36 days ago, so isn't taken lightly.

Form: 34223

(7)

Palamon³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 70

4/1

Yet to get his head in front but has shaped as if there's a bigger performance in his locker, plugging on from rear when fourth at Sandown early last month. Didn't immediately improve as expected for the longer trip when filling the same place at Newmarket (10f, good to firm) but isn't written off.

Form: 27-7544

(9)

Knights Affair¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 67

14/1

Promising second in 4-runner event at Ripon on debut but hasn't replicated that form since, merely passing beaten rivals when fifth of 7 in minor event (17/2) at Catterick (7f, good) 18 days ago. More needed stepping up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 255

(10)

Redcliff Glen¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 65

14/1

Fair form at best in a maiden and 2 novice events across the space of 11 months. Failed to improve when seventh of 13 in handicap at Kempton (8f) 18 days ago and he'll likely need more to get in the mix here.

Form: 0-307

(1)

Khangai^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: M G Rimell| OR: 63| D

9/1

Improved form when winning at Chepstow (1¼m) in June and quickly got back on track when second of 8 in handicap at Ffos Las (10f, heavy) 16 days ago. Respected with cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 273172

(5)

Corsican Caper^v²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 58

20/1

Winless in 10 starts for Kevin Philippart De Foy but wasn't beaten too far when seventh in a 9-runner event at Nottingham on his yard debut last month. Went backwards at Southwell last time, though, so needs to bounce back with visor reapplied.

Form: 334070

Forecasts

Ala Kaifi (10/3), Palamon (4/1), Ayyab (5/1), Richard P Smith (7/1), Arch Moon (7/1), Khangai (9/1), Knights Affair (14/1), Redcliff Glen (14/1), Tribal Wisdom (16/1), Corsican Caper (20/1)

AYYAB has shown progressive form in 4 starts to date and the step up in trip may unlock the biggest leap forward yet, so Sean Woods's filly is fancied to make a winning handicap debut. Richard P Smith was right back to his best at Kempton last time and merits respect, with Ala Kaifi and Khangai others to make the shortlist.