Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend’s races
SATURDAY
DONCASTER
2-25 BETFRED GOALS GALORE WENTWORTH STAKES (LISTED) – 6 FURLONGS
Inyordreams bounced back to her very best when winning comfortably at Newmarket last time out. That was the first time that Frankie Dettori had ridden her and it has to be a positive sign that he retains the ride this afternoon. Rain softened ground is not a problem for this daughter of Teofilo and having won over this course and distance in the past can only enhance her chances further. She has won three of her thirteen career starts and remains fairly unexposed compared to the likes of Jack Dexter, Tropics and Spinatrix.
Jack Dexter is finally starting to come down the weights and certainly ought to have his ground this afternoon. He has endured a frustrating season and perhaps now that the handicapper is beginning to show some leniency, he can finally put his head in front. He was placed in Group two company on his latest start suggesting that he was on his way back, but he offers no value at miserly odds.
Tropics has maintained his consistency all year but now has to give weight to some younger rivals. He flopped on his only previous visit to Doncaster and that tempers enthusiasm. Spinatrix has been given plenty of chances around here in the past and has failed to win in seven previous starts. She has been placed numerous times though and once again should be in the mix. Inyordreams should still have further improvement to come and looks to have a decent draw in stall twelve. She looks set to run a big race this afternoon.
WINCANTON
2-40 BADGER ALES TROPHY (LISTED HANDICAP CHASE) – 3 M 1 F
The Young Master has improved in leaps and bounds throughout the last twelve months and has successfully made a smooth transition between hurdles and fences. He won a competitive amateurs event at Cheltenham last time out and he pulled some way clear of other talented individuals such as Charingworth, Balbriggan and Buck Mulligan to name but a few. Barry Geraghty comes in for the ride on this five year old and despite being the youngest runner in the field he commands utmost respect. Neil Mulholland has his yard in fantastic form and it will be of little surprise to see him do well from near the foot of the handicap.
Standing Ovation comes here looking to defend his win in the race last season. He had already notched up a four timer by this stage last year and a massive rise in the weights may well hinder any chance of a repeat. Tom Scudamore does not have the best of records on the seven year old and he may well be a false favourite. Alfie Spinner always seems to run his race but ultimately always seems to find at least one too good whilst Court By Surprise jumped better at every fence on his seasonal reappearance at Exeter and may well prove to be the biggest danger. The Young Master may not have finished improving as of yet and there should be more to come.
SANDOWN
3-05 STRAIGHTFORWARD INVESTING HANDICAP HURDLE – 2 MILES 110YDS
Mystery Drama is a useful dual purpose performer who ran well at Stratford last month on what was his first start over hurdles since May. He was only just headed in the closing stages by Tender Surprise and given that he was attempting to give that rival over a stone in weight, it was a noteworthy effort. Tom Bellamy is able to claim five pounds off his back this afternoon and the duo ought to take advantage of the weight that they receive from the majority of their rivals this afternoon.
Exitas has won his last two starts including a listed race at Market Rasen a few weeks ago. Charlie Deutsch replaces Conor Shoemark in the saddle in order to alleviate some of the extra weight he has to carry as a consequence. He is proven over this trip and will appreciate genuine good ground and he has to rate as the main danger to the selection. Theinval and The Brock Again are exciting new recruits from top stables that command respect. They are both making their British racecourse debuts this afternoon and both should improve on whatever they show this afternoon.
Dubawi Island won three in a row last season before being completely outclassed in a Grade Three event at Haydock last May. He returns to a more appropriate level here and has live place claims if back to his best. Mystery Drama is still only a four year old and should have a lot more scope about him. With his yard in good form he has to be high on any shortlist.
DONCASTER
3-35 BETFRED NOVEMBER HANDICAP – 1 M 4 F
Dark Ruler has a perfect track record here at Doncaster having won on both of his previous visits. He has held his form well throughout the year and will love this rain softened ground. He has been placed over further in the recent past, so there is no reason to think that he cannot last home here. He also enjoys a decent turnaround in the weights with the likes of Latenightrequest and Headline News and he may well be able to reverse that form here.
Manhattan Swing has not been with Brian Ellison all that long but he made an encouraging start for current connections when winning at Market Rasen on his seasonal debut. He was last tried at this trip at the beginning of summer when trained by Dermot Weld. He was only just foiled on ground that would have been plenty soft enough for him and he has to be respected now that he returns to the flat for the first time since.
One Pekan is another that will not mind any further rain and he sneaks in here near the foot of the handicap. He has been given a short break by Roger Varian, so his fitness has to be taken on trust. He is untested over this extra two furlongs but if his stamina holds out he has to enter calculations. Joe Fanning takes the ride on Dark Ruler for the first time and if they are able to defy an unfriendly low draw, they have live place claims this afternoon.
