14:40 Doncaster

Thursday 8 February 2024

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

SBK Handicap Hurdle

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132| DWS

Point winner and useful handicap hurdler, successful twice again last season. Seemingly amiss when pulled up on chase debut/return at Wetherby in November and interesting now returning to the smaller obstacles on the back of a breathing operation.

Form: 12219-P

Bass Rock^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 127

In better form than it might appear, seeming ill at ease in a strongly-run race on a sharp track when sixth of 9 in handicap chase at Musselburgh (20.3f, soft) 38 days ago. Not dismissed back over hurdles.

Form: 124U-P6

Pounding Poet^t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 127WS

Useful handicap hurdler at best but completely out of sorts this season, including in a first-time visor and tongue strap at Wincanton 44 days ago. Has had a breathing operation since.

Form: 62-06PP

Ostend¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 126| D

Progressed again to get off the mark at Kilbeggan in April. Shaped as if better for the run sent handicapping at Ballinrobe 3 months later but is 7 lb higher for his British/stable debut after a further 6 months off.

Form: 5P521-5

Russian Ruler^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

Evidently not been the easiest to train but he seemed on the improve when landing a Newbury handicap and Kempton novice late last season. Showed aptitude on his Newbury chase debut but pulled up both starts since and something to prove now back over hurdles.

Form: F11-4PP

Mick Maestro⁷⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 125| C| D

Dual winner over hurdles in 2022 but looked rusty (back from 18 months off) at Chepstow in October and didn't get far over fences at Catterick last time. Makes limited appeal.

Form: 1103/9F

Ilanz^h²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 121| D

Bumper winner who bagged back-to-back handicap hurdle victories (at up to 19f) in late 2022 and resumed progress after 11 months off when getting up close home in 15-runner handicap at Wincanton (19.8f) 27 days ago. Hit with an 8 lb rise but further improvement can't be ruled out.

Form: 31133-1

Better Getalong⁵⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 120| D

Veteran who returned to form with a vengeance after 7 months off when winning 11-runner handicap hurdle (33/1) at Ayr (20.4f, soft) 59 days ago, pushed out. Remains to be seen if he's able to back that up.

Form: 3/245-41

Jipcot^h,t⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 117| BF

Showed fairly useful form over hurdles in France, winning a pair of juveniles at Pau. Below that level so far for current connections, including over fences, but this step back up in trip promises to suit. Hood/tongue strap back on.

Form: 100-7F3

Non-Runners

Pentland Hills⁵⁴

Weight: 12-2| Age: 9

T: N J Henderson J: Freddie Gordon

Forecasts

Ilanz (4/1), Pentland Hills (9/2), Jipcot (5/1), Russian Ruler (6/1), Better Getalong (7/1), Jungle Jack (8/1), Ostend (10/1), Bass Rock (12/1), Pounding Poet (14/1), Mick Maestro (20/1)

JUNGLE JACK made an inauspicious start over fences at Wetherby in November, but he's been given a breathing operation since and looks interesting back over hurdles based on his excellent strike rate. He gets the nod ahead of Pentland Hills, who clearly retains plenty of ability judged on his fine effort over C&D in December. Ilanz resumed his progress when collaring an even less exposed one at Wincanton last month and merits plenty of respect, also.