11:25 Doncaster

Friday 15 December 2023

All11:2511:5512:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:22

Polypipe Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 11:25 | Winning time: 4m 3.62s

Rare Middleton^t1⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 115

2/1

Maiden winner on the Flat in Ireland and fairly useful juvenile hurdler last season. Disappointed in a Class 2 Ascot handicap on his reappearance after wind surgery but it wouldn't be any surprise were he to prove a different proposition in this lower grade with a tongue tie added.

Form: 134-8

Homme D'Un Soir^p,t²⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 115| D

40/1

Pretty useful hurdler/chaser for Stuart Crawford but let down by his jumping in hunters for Francesca Poste in the spring (also failed to win in points) and best watched now back hurdling for new trainer Billy Aprahamian.

Form: U3F4-2P

Harel Du Marais²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 113

12/1

Still looking for his first win but went mighty close at Leicester (2m, heavy) on last month's first outing for the Mark Walford stable. Each-way claims.

Form: 4-47322

Bonheur De Ballon^t⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 112WS

33/1

Fair 19f winner in France in 2022. Had wind surgery prior to pulling up on his 21.5f Newton Abbot stable debut in October and has had his wind operated on again since. Down in trip. Hard to assess.

Form: 6P15-P

Iontach Cheval³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Ralph| OR: 111| D

13/2

Bumper/hurdles winner who recorded a career best when making a successful reappearance in handicap company at Warwick (2m, soft) in November 2022. Seen only twice since but his Sandown third a month ago shows he retains his ability.

Form: 834/18-3

Call Me Rocky^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Hosie| OR: 110| D

33/1

Pair of wins for Milton Harris this summer but the handicapper has looked in charge in recent starts and ran no sort of race at Kempton 18 days ago on his first outing for Syd Hosie.

Form: 10434P

Midnight Shuffle²³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 108

18/1

Below par when last seen at Perth in April but had progressed steadily over hurdles prior to that and is worth monitoring in the market on her return to action.

Form: 521424-

Mrs Grimley²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 108

10/1

Fair bumper winner who has shown similar form over hurdles, opening her account in a Ffos Las novice last winter. Respectable third of 6 on Fakenham reappearance and entitled to build on that now.

Form: 213P3-3

Sleeping Satellite⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 108| D

15/2

Point/bumper winner who opened his hurdle account in 17f Carlisle novice in February. Respectable start to his handicap career when fourth of 10 on 2m Ayr reappearance 6 weeks ago. Yard in slightly better form now so he could step up.

Form: 1/1613-4

At A Pinch²⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: T Lawes| OR: 107

28/1

Resumed winning ways in 2m Southwell handicap hurdle in February. Not in the same form over this C&D the following month and not seen since (has left Harry Eustace). Betting perhaps the best guide to expectations for new yard.

Form: 16/416-

Jack The Savage³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: L Horsfall| OR: 105| BF

10/1

Had wind op and hood on for first time in this code when landing 2m handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in October. Failed to back that up when 15 lengths fifth of 13 at Kempton since, though. Hood left off now.

Form: 354-U15

Imperial Jade²⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 99

10/1

Progressed with each start over hurdles last term, ending campaign with victory in 6-runner juvenile at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in April. Likely type for handicaps this season.

Form: 33321-

Lifetime Legend^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 95| BF

6/1

Built on early promise to break his duck in 19f female jockeys' event at Catterick in February. Has dropped below that winning mark but hasn't really been showing enough to suggest he's ready to take advantage, beaten 13 lengths when third in small field at Uttoxeter latest.

Form: 15P-633

Deadlock³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 87

66/1

Fair form on Flat. Only modest form in maiden/novice hurdles but handicaps should provide him with a more realistic chance.

Form: 406

Forecasts

Rare Middleton (2/1), Lifetime Legend (6/1), Iontach Cheval (13/2), Sleeping Satellite (15/2), Imperial Jade (10/1), Mrs Grimley (10/1), Jack The Savage (10/1), Harel Du Marais (12/1), Midnight Shuffle (18/1), At A Pinch (28/1), Call Me Rocky (33/1), Bonheur De Ballon (33/1), Homme D'Un Soir (40/1), Deadlock (66/1)

Another chance is given to the Paul Nicholls-trained RARE MIDDLETON now taking a drop in class with a tongue tied added. Imperial Jade appeals as one who could have more to come in handicaps this term and is second choice ahead of Harel du Marais and Mrs Grimley.