15:15 Doncaster

Saturday 26 October 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

William Hill Proper Betting Handicap

Off time: 15:19 | Winning time: 2m 15.16s

(6)

Iron Lion⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| CD

66/1

C&D novice winner on heavy in 2023. Has progressed into a useful handicapper this year, winning 3 times, the latest at Ripon (1½m, good) in July. His last 2 efforts haven't been the best, though.

Form: 615106

(3)

Killybegs Warrior³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: P J McDonald| T: C Johnston| OR: 94| D

40/1

Fifteen runs since last win in 2023 but he did shape well when third of 9 at Pontefract (1¼m, good to soft) 30 days ago, losing momentum at a crucial stage when hampered by a loose horse. Well handicapped.

Form: 007503

(12)

Terwada⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 94

16/1

Cracking first attempt at 1¼m when going down only to a progressive 3-y-o (pair clear) at Yarmouth at the end of August. Raised 5 lb but he is unexposed at this trip.

Form: 70-0652

(9)

Mr Alan^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 94| BF| D

22/1

Useful sort who goes well in the mud but he was only a respectable fourth when bidding to land a hat-trick of wins in the same 1¼m handicap at Nottingham 10 days ago. Others boast stronger claims in this very competitive event.

Form: 7-48454

(4)

Alpha Crucis^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jason Watson| T: G & J Moore| OR: 93

16/1

Building up a very good record at Goodwood, winning over 9f and 1m there on heavy ground in recent weeks. Another 4 lb higher now and needs to show he's as effective at other venues.

Form: 035411

(16)

Stressfree¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| BF| D

14/1

Several good efforts in defeat prior to resuming winning ways at Chester (1¼m, soft) in September. Good runner-up efforts at Leicester and York (couple of these behind) since. Looks sure to give another good account if a wide stall doesn't prove too big an inconvenience.

Form: 233122

(17)

Mustazeed³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 92| CD

14/1

C&D winner who revels in the mud and was better than ever when landing a Newbury Class 2 (1¼m, soft) last month, seeing off recent York scorer Bolster. The outside stall may prove a bigger issue than a 6 lb rise.

Form: 802521

(5)

The Reverend^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF

5/2

Progressive son of Lope de Vega who was an impressive winner on his 1½m Ascot handicap debut in September. Seemingly just stretched by 1¾m at York a couple of weeks ago and capable of resuming his progression back down significantly in trip with Ryan Moore taking the ride.

Form: 1-2214

(10)

Euchen Glen¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 90| C| D

28/1

Admirable veteran who is still capable of very useful form, as he demonstrated when striking at Ayr (13f, good to firm) in June. Creditable fourth of 13 in handicap at York (1¼m, soft) 14 days ago but Stressfree was ahead in second. Probably vulnerable for win purposes again.

Form: 645724

(11)

Laafi^b1¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90| D

33/1

Back from a break with a creditable fourth to Mustazeed at Newbury (1¼m, soft) last month but needs to shrug off a disappointing run at Nottingham since. Blinkered first time.

Form: 610-048

(8)

Primo Lara¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jonny Peate| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 91| D

8/1

New Bay gelding who has taken off since handicapping, comfortably defying a 5 lb rise for Chelmsford when quickening clear at York (1¼m, good) in May. Not seen since but looked capable of even better and he showed promise on heavy ground at 2.

Form: 42-811

(15)

Have Secret¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| D

16/1

Winless since juvenile days but hard to knock his consistency, finishing a respectable fifth of 13 to Bolster (Stressfree second) at York (1¼m, soft) a fortnight ago.

Form: 336255

(2)

Lyric⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 88| D

28/1

Won 8-runner maiden at Windsor (1¼m, good to soft) in April but has struggled in a Goodwood listed race and 1½m course handicap in just 2 outings since. Still early days but others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 2-160

(13)

Shadow Of War⁴⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 82| D

12/1

Promising individual who got off the mark at the third time of asking in a 1¼m Nottingham novice in August 2023. Looked the type to go on to better things but hasn't been seen since. The betting should help guide to expectations.

Form: 5/31-

(7)

Promethean⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: D Menuisier| OR: 85

5/1

Useful maiden who has shaped well when in the frame in handicaps at Newmarket and over C&D on his last two starts, caught further back than ideal each time. One of 2 very interesting contenders from his stable.

Form: 535-424

(14)

City Of Delight⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 83| D

13/2

Progressed at a rate of knots in handicaps on turf in the summer, extending his winning sequence to 4 when landing 10-runner Goodwood handicap (1¼m, soft) at the end of August. Only raised another 2 lb for that and should make a bold bid for 5 in a row.

Form: 341111

(1)

Afloat¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S D Bowen⁽³⁾| T: Rae Guest| OR: 77| BF| D

28/1

In fine form at Yarmouth this autumn, including an 11.5f win this month. Creditable second of 7 there since but jumps from a Class 5 to a Class 2 here.

Form: 782312

Forecasts

The Reverend (5/2), Promethean (5/1), City Of Delight (13/2), Primo Lara (8/1), Shadow Of War (12/1), Stressfree (14/1), Mustazeed (14/1), Alpha Crucis (16/1), Terwada (16/1), Have Secret (16/1), Mr Alan (22/1), Lyric (28/1), Afloat (28/1), Euchen Glen (28/1), Laafi (33/1), Killybegs Warrior (40/1), Iron Lion (66/1)

A cracking handicap. There's a feeling at least one of the progressive 3-y-os in this line-up will take another step forward, with the suggestion being CITY OF DELIGHT with the form of his latest Goodwood win boosted. The selection's stablemate Promethean was an eyecatcher in a C&D handicap at the St Leger meeting and is next on the list ahead of The Reverend. Stressfree and Killybegs Warrior may prove best of the older brigade.