15:37 Doncaster

Saturday 15 August 2026

All14:0014:3015:0515:3716:1016:4517:20

Phase Eight At Meadowhall Handicap

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 1m 26.04s

(5)

Rock Opera²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| C

4/1

Ended a lengthy losing run minus usual visor at Pontefract (6f) in June and ran at least well when runner up over same C&D later that month. Struggled to land a blow in pair of big-field York handicaps since but this a handy drop in grade on rare start at 7f.

Form: 341290

(11)

Imperial Guard¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: M Dods| OR: 75| D

11/2

Has come to life from a reduced mark here of late, completing a quick-fire Ayr hat-trick over this trip 3 weeks ago, leading before final 100 yds and just holding on. Mark has crept up a little more on the back of that but he's a live player once more.

Form: 885111

(7)

Documenting³⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: K Frost| OR: 74| D

11/2

Now firmly into the veteran stage who confirmed he retains plenty of ability with his sights lowered when just touched off in 12-runner Newbury handicap (7f) in June. Far from discredited when tenth of 17 at Ascot since and this rates less demanding.

Form: 95-7020

(9)

Bright¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 73| C

14/1

Course winner who ended 2025 with success at Newcastle (6f) in December. Yet to add to his tally in handful of starts this campaign but recent efforts on turf/all-weather haven't been without promise and the assessor has afforded him a chance ahead of this.

Form: 1-00787

(12)

Thapa VC^b,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Toby Moore⁽⁷⁾| T: M G Rimell| OR: 72| CD

11/1

Goes well here and he bounced back to form when successful over C&D on his penultimate start. Confirmed he's at the top of his game right now when readily following up at Yarmouth (7f) 18 days ago and he's considered in hat-trick bid with his rider off-setting his latest weights rise.

Form: 432511

(6)

Bella Bisbee¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 72| CD

10/1

5-y-o mare who proved as good as ever when resuming winning ways over C&D in June. Kept busy subsequently, running to a similar level when narrow second at Lingfield (7f) prior to doing too much too soon at Wolverhampton last time. Others preferred on balance.

Form: 315028

(1)

Nyman⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C Horgan⁽⁵⁾| T: Roger Fell| OR: 72| D

17/2

Yet to score this term but is working his way back to form from his easing mark, doing best of the hold-up horses when third in a class 4 handicap at Redcar (1m) last week. Not one to write off with this ease in grade a plus.

Form: 440643

(13)

Criminal Shore^v⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C J Whiteley⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72

22/1

Raised his game after a series of unplaced efforts to belatedly get his head back in front in 12-runner event at Newcastle (1m) in June but nearer last than first in trio of turf starts since. Passed over at present.

Form: 841060

(10)

War Howl³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 69| CD

7/1

Dual winner, including over C&D, last summer for Michael Appleby. Well beaten for this yard in 2026 though, last of 9 at Pontefract (1m) when last seen 39 days ago.

Form: 900009

(3)

The Childe Of Hale^p1⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 66| CD

16/1

Sole success came over C&D last July but has largely struggled since, albeit hampered as race was taking shape when tenth of 12 in a handicap at Ripon (1m) in June. Return to this course/application of cheekpieces needs to have a positive effect now.

Form: 1806-90

(8)

Age Of Baroque⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 65| D

9/1

Southwell winner for Marco Botti last year who produced his best effort for present stable when keeping on for second over C&D in June. Remains on a workable mark up 2 lb but a return to 1m may suit ideally judged on latest effort.

Form: 839452

(4)

Starliner^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: O McSweeney| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 62| D

11/1

Won at Ayr (1m) in May and posted pair of solid runner-up efforts over same C&D in July. Didn't appear to have any excuses when sixth of 10 in handicap at Hamilton (1m) on latest outing 2 weeks ago but he does now find himself back on last winning mark.

Form: 388226

Non-Runners

(2)

Sunriseontheboyne¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: B Haslam J: Harry Vigors

Forecasts

Rock Opera (4/1), Documenting (11/2), Imperial Guard (11/2), War Howl (7/1), Nyman (17/2), Age Of Baroque (9/1), Bella Bisbee (10/1), Starliner (11/1), Thapa VC (11/1), Bright (14/1), The Childe Of Hale (16/1), Sunriseontheboyne (20/1), Criminal Shore (22/1)

NYMAN has seemingly been working his way back to form in recent months, faring best of those held up when third in a stronger race at Redcar 7 days ago. Down to a handy mark, he can confirm the promise of that run back at 7f. C&D winner Thapa VC comes here thriving and is an obvious threat, as does Michael Dods' Imperial Guard, who is also a key player.