1.20 Doncaster: Class 3 Handicap, 7f

It pays off to be have a low draw in this ground over this trip at Doncaster. Two that have the draw and are potentially handicapped to land this big handicap have caught my eye:

The money clearly is coming for Master Zoffany. One can see why: he travelled strongly when last seen at York earlier this month, then over a mile, before fading in the closing stages.

The drop to 7 furlongs will suit. He’s a distance winner and goes well in softish conditions. Currently one pound above his last winning mark, but 2lb lower than his best speed rating, he looks in with a clear opportunity to go really well after a much lighter campaign than many others in this field, perhaps with freshness the bonus to push him over the line.

At a bigger price, one I don’t want to leave out, though, is Mystery Fox. He was an impressive winner at Goodwood over a mile, quickening in fine style and put the race to bed from two furlongs out. He improved nicely for the application of cheekpieces.

A drop to 7 furlongs won’t be an issue, especially in properly soft conditions. He has to overcome a career highest mark, but if he can continue to progress with the new headgear, there is every chance he can defy a mark off 88 today.

5pts win – Master Zoffany @ 7.4
5pts win – Mystery Fox @ 14

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4.45 Doncaster: Class 4 Handicap, 7f

Emperor Caradoc didn’t quite see out the mile at Pontefract recently, particularly after showing signs of keenness early on. However, his impressive Carlisle win is still relatively fresh in mind.

He was really gutsy to win from the widest draw that day, and kicked in well in the homes straight, finding the most in the final furlong.

He responded well to a gelding operation in spring and his lightly races profile offers potential for further progress, now down to 7 furlongs again with plenty of give in the ground. A mark off 77 does look not overly harsh.

Floral Splendour looked to be have a bit of talent when she won in impressive style on debut at Haydock back in July. She was found out in Listed class subsequently, though didn’t help herself with a slow start.

She was far from disgraced at Wolverhampton the next time, and caught the eye on her first start for the Jardine at Musselburgh lately. Nothing went her way that day, from start to finish.

She is better than that. 7 furlongs and soft ground suit. A mark off 74 and this easier grade make her really dangerous if she gets a clear run.

5pts win – Emperor Caradoc @ 15.5
5pts win – Floral Splendour @ 32

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8.00 Chelmsford: Class 6 Handicap, 5f

Not much pace is expected here, which should play into the hands of Thank The Lord, who can go forward; in fact I would expect him to get it pretty easy from the front, given he also has a #1 draw to attack the race from.

He won nicely at Salisbury going wire to wire in July. afterwards looked out of sorts at Wolverhampton, before fading over 6 furlongs at Yarmouth and earlier this month here at Chelmsford.

That performance was a big one in my view. He had the widest draw, was a little bit sluggish away, made up ground rapidly soon after, and found plenty under pressure until tiring in the final furlong.

10pts win – Thank The Lord @ 13/2