Post by Old Timer on Sept 11, 2020 11:32:41 GMT
Well, Wednesday proved you can’t be lucky all the time as I totally misread Sky Defender, but apart from that I was quite pleased. Two today, and wonder if I’ll be as pleased at the end of the day!
Doncaster 13.40 Cl 2 Handicap 226 (93.9) 14.5f gd – 8 Run
Last year: 259 (94.0) gd/fm – 6 ran
Sleeping Lion 4/1 4-9-3 (91) Dr 5 by 0.75l Charles Kingsley 11/4 4-9-11 (99) Dr 3
Alfaatik 4-9-11 (99) Dr 2 (3.2)
’19 record: 0/0/2
’20 record: 1/0/1 Best: 189.7 off 94 carrying 9-3 (Cl 2 12f gd York)
21/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (187/95.7) 12f gd York 9-3 15/2 1/9 0.75l off 94
dwelt held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, asserted towards finish
Plus: class (W); going (W); form run lto (21 days); up 8lbs (wt); up 5lbs (OR);
Minus: distance (?); course (?); up 2f;
Verdict: just the four races, winning two including on his return from over a year off when making his hcap debut over 12f; looks likely to stay today’s trip, and in with a chance.
Volcanic Sky 5-10-0 (102) Dr 5 (3.8)
’19 record: 1/2/4 Best: 169.6 off 88 carrying 9-12 (Cl 3 12f gd Pont)
’12 record: 1/2/3 Best: 192.1 off 102 carrying 9-10 (Cl 2 16.5f gd York)
19/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (187/94.4) 16.5f gd York 9-10 10/1 5/17 4/45l off 102
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Plus: class (F); going (F); distance (F); form run lto (23 days); down distance;
Minus: course (?); up 4lbs (wt);
Verdict: has gradually worked himself to the staying ranks, but 16.5f at York last time looked a mite too far and the drop back in trip is likely to suit; he’s got a bit if weight to carry, but it’s been won off 10-0 before, and by a 5yo; not without a chance.
Sleeping Lion 5-9-6 (94) Dr 8 (5.4)
’19 record: 1/3/6 Best: 185.0 off 91 carrying 9-3 (Cl 2 14.5f gd Donc)
’20 record: 0/2/3 Best: 182.5 off 95 carrying 9-4 (Cl 2 16f gd/fm Ascot)
08/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (129/92.5) 16f gd/fm Ascot 9-4 5/1 3/10 5/ off 95
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, 3rd and held final furlong, stayed on same pace
Plus: class (W); distance (W); course (W); form run lto (34 days); down 1lb (OR); down 2f;
Minus: going; up 2lbs (wt);
Verdict: runs off 3lbs higher mark than when winning last year, but the going will not be as quick this time round; this important as he’s 0/0/5 on gd going as opposed to 2/3/5 on gd/fm.
Alfaatik may be favourite, but he’s not yet run this far and I prefer to go for Volcanic Sky. As I don’t think the going will be fast enough for Sleeping Lion. So Volcanic Sky from Alfaatik and maybe Sleeping Lion in third.
Doncaster 14.10 Cl 2 Handicap 162 (91.1) 6.5f gd – 11 Run
Last year: 129 (94.8) gd/fm – 8 ran
Enjazaat 6/1 4-9-8 (100) Dr 7 by 0.25l Medahim 9/1 5-9-4 (96) Dr 2
Ghalyoon 5-8-13 (88) Dr 6 (0.4)
’19 record: 1/1/2
’20 record: 0/1/1 Best: 178.7 off 86 carrying 8-8 (Cl 2 7f gd/fm Donc)
15/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (97/92.4) 7f gd/fm Donc 8-8 17/2 2/11 0.25l off 87
held up towards rear and keen, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and ran on strongly final furlong
Plus: class (F); going (F); course (F); form run lto (27 days);
Minus: distance (?); up 5lbs (wt); up 1lb (OR); down 0.5f;
Verdict: very lightly raced and having first run since wind surgery ran on well over 7f; never run over less, but looked as if he might want to go up not down in distance.
Sunset Breeze 3-8-8 (87) Dr 8 (9.3)
’19 record: 0/1/3
’20 record: 3/1/5 Best: 168.8 off 87 carrying 9-9 (Cl 4 7f gd Ascot)
04/09/02 Cl 4 Hcap (65/82.5) 7f gd Ascot 9-9 11/2 2/11 0.25l off 87
made most, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, soon hung left, headed close home
Plus: going (F); form run lto (7 days); down 15lbs (wt); down 0.5f;
Minus: class; distance (?); course (?); up 2 classes;
Verdict: ran 3 times as a 2yo, and looked to be a typical Prescott 3yo as he rattled off 3 wins in a month in rising hcap class, but then hit a snag when raised to Cl 2on sf at Newmarket; given a break and came back last weekend to just fail over 7f; he’s won over 6f but doesn’t yet seem to last 7f; today’s trip should suit fine, as should the ground; he’s back up to Cl 2, but ran well enough over it until he reached the final furlong in with a chance.
Tranchee 4-8-13 (88) Dr 3 (9.4)
’19 record: 0//1/1
’20 record: 2/3/8 Best: 169.7 off 88 carrying 9-8 (Cl 3 7f sf Hayd)
04/09/20 Cl 3 Hcap (81/86.9) 7f sf Hayd 9-8 100/30 F 2/8 1.75l off 88
in touch, headway 3f out, every chance 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed inside final 110 yards
Plus: form run lto (7 days); down 9lbs (wt); down 0.5f;
Minus: class (?); going; distance (?); course (?); up in class;
Verdict: on his second trainer this year having been with Furtado for the winter AW season and now with Loughnane on turf, although he won the initial one on the AW; fell at Catterick, and since has finished 2nd over 7f in Cl 3 at both Newbury and Haydock; now tries 6.5f for the first time and it might be ideal for him.
Musicality 3-9-1 (94) Dr 3 (11.1)
’20 record: 2/2/4 Best: 174.0 off 87 carrying 8-13 (Cl 3 6f sf Newmkt)
28/08/20 Cl 3 Hcap (67/87.0) 6f sf Newmkt 8-13 13/2 1/6 1l off 87
held up towards rear, ridden and switched right over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, got up close home
Plus: form run lto; up 0.5f;
Minus: class (?); going (?)l distance (?); course (?); up 2lbs (wt); up 7lbs (OR); up in class,
Verdict: not been out of the top 2 on gd/fm to sf in his 4 starts to date; impressive lto where he signalled today’s trip should be within his compass; however, moving up in class and has a 7lbs rise in OR; so it won’t be easy.
These 6.5f handicaps always present a problem do you got for the 6f or for the 7f horses? Not helped by the fact there isn’t a horse that‘s won over both, but you pays your money and takes you chance. The likely favourite Ghalyoon strikes me as if he might actually need a step up to 8f, so I’m inclined to pass. Musicality has impressed in his 4 outings, but he’s now rising in class and has a 7lbs rise in the weights, which could slow his progress. I’m inclined to take a chance with Sir Mark’s Sunset Breeze and the 4yo Tranchee, though which way round is a bit of a guess. So, Sunset Breeze from Tranchee and perhaps Ghalyoon staying on into 3rd.
Doncaster 13.40 Cl 2 Handicap 226 (93.9) 14.5f gd – 8 Run
Last year: 259 (94.0) gd/fm – 6 ran
Sleeping Lion 4/1 4-9-3 (91) Dr 5 by 0.75l Charles Kingsley 11/4 4-9-11 (99) Dr 3
Alfaatik 4-9-11 (99) Dr 2 (3.2)
’19 record: 0/0/2
’20 record: 1/0/1 Best: 189.7 off 94 carrying 9-3 (Cl 2 12f gd York)
21/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (187/95.7) 12f gd York 9-3 15/2 1/9 0.75l off 94
dwelt held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, asserted towards finish
Plus: class (W); going (W); form run lto (21 days); up 8lbs (wt); up 5lbs (OR);
Minus: distance (?); course (?); up 2f;
Verdict: just the four races, winning two including on his return from over a year off when making his hcap debut over 12f; looks likely to stay today’s trip, and in with a chance.
Volcanic Sky 5-10-0 (102) Dr 5 (3.8)
’19 record: 1/2/4 Best: 169.6 off 88 carrying 9-12 (Cl 3 12f gd Pont)
’12 record: 1/2/3 Best: 192.1 off 102 carrying 9-10 (Cl 2 16.5f gd York)
19/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (187/94.4) 16.5f gd York 9-10 10/1 5/17 4/45l off 102
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Plus: class (F); going (F); distance (F); form run lto (23 days); down distance;
Minus: course (?); up 4lbs (wt);
Verdict: has gradually worked himself to the staying ranks, but 16.5f at York last time looked a mite too far and the drop back in trip is likely to suit; he’s got a bit if weight to carry, but it’s been won off 10-0 before, and by a 5yo; not without a chance.
Sleeping Lion 5-9-6 (94) Dr 8 (5.4)
’19 record: 1/3/6 Best: 185.0 off 91 carrying 9-3 (Cl 2 14.5f gd Donc)
’20 record: 0/2/3 Best: 182.5 off 95 carrying 9-4 (Cl 2 16f gd/fm Ascot)
08/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (129/92.5) 16f gd/fm Ascot 9-4 5/1 3/10 5/ off 95
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, 3rd and held final furlong, stayed on same pace
Plus: class (W); distance (W); course (W); form run lto (34 days); down 1lb (OR); down 2f;
Minus: going; up 2lbs (wt);
Verdict: runs off 3lbs higher mark than when winning last year, but the going will not be as quick this time round; this important as he’s 0/0/5 on gd going as opposed to 2/3/5 on gd/fm.
Alfaatik may be favourite, but he’s not yet run this far and I prefer to go for Volcanic Sky. As I don’t think the going will be fast enough for Sleeping Lion. So Volcanic Sky from Alfaatik and maybe Sleeping Lion in third.
Doncaster 14.10 Cl 2 Handicap 162 (91.1) 6.5f gd – 11 Run
Last year: 129 (94.8) gd/fm – 8 ran
Enjazaat 6/1 4-9-8 (100) Dr 7 by 0.25l Medahim 9/1 5-9-4 (96) Dr 2
Ghalyoon 5-8-13 (88) Dr 6 (0.4)
’19 record: 1/1/2
’20 record: 0/1/1 Best: 178.7 off 86 carrying 8-8 (Cl 2 7f gd/fm Donc)
15/08/20 Cl 2 Hcap (97/92.4) 7f gd/fm Donc 8-8 17/2 2/11 0.25l off 87
held up towards rear and keen, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and ran on strongly final furlong
Plus: class (F); going (F); course (F); form run lto (27 days);
Minus: distance (?); up 5lbs (wt); up 1lb (OR); down 0.5f;
Verdict: very lightly raced and having first run since wind surgery ran on well over 7f; never run over less, but looked as if he might want to go up not down in distance.
Sunset Breeze 3-8-8 (87) Dr 8 (9.3)
’19 record: 0/1/3
’20 record: 3/1/5 Best: 168.8 off 87 carrying 9-9 (Cl 4 7f gd Ascot)
04/09/02 Cl 4 Hcap (65/82.5) 7f gd Ascot 9-9 11/2 2/11 0.25l off 87
made most, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, soon hung left, headed close home
Plus: going (F); form run lto (7 days); down 15lbs (wt); down 0.5f;
Minus: class; distance (?); course (?); up 2 classes;
Verdict: ran 3 times as a 2yo, and looked to be a typical Prescott 3yo as he rattled off 3 wins in a month in rising hcap class, but then hit a snag when raised to Cl 2on sf at Newmarket; given a break and came back last weekend to just fail over 7f; he’s won over 6f but doesn’t yet seem to last 7f; today’s trip should suit fine, as should the ground; he’s back up to Cl 2, but ran well enough over it until he reached the final furlong in with a chance.
Tranchee 4-8-13 (88) Dr 3 (9.4)
’19 record: 0//1/1
’20 record: 2/3/8 Best: 169.7 off 88 carrying 9-8 (Cl 3 7f sf Hayd)
04/09/20 Cl 3 Hcap (81/86.9) 7f sf Hayd 9-8 100/30 F 2/8 1.75l off 88
in touch, headway 3f out, every chance 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed inside final 110 yards
Plus: form run lto (7 days); down 9lbs (wt); down 0.5f;
Minus: class (?); going; distance (?); course (?); up in class;
Verdict: on his second trainer this year having been with Furtado for the winter AW season and now with Loughnane on turf, although he won the initial one on the AW; fell at Catterick, and since has finished 2nd over 7f in Cl 3 at both Newbury and Haydock; now tries 6.5f for the first time and it might be ideal for him.
Musicality 3-9-1 (94) Dr 3 (11.1)
’20 record: 2/2/4 Best: 174.0 off 87 carrying 8-13 (Cl 3 6f sf Newmkt)
28/08/20 Cl 3 Hcap (67/87.0) 6f sf Newmkt 8-13 13/2 1/6 1l off 87
held up towards rear, ridden and switched right over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, got up close home
Plus: form run lto; up 0.5f;
Minus: class (?); going (?)l distance (?); course (?); up 2lbs (wt); up 7lbs (OR); up in class,
Verdict: not been out of the top 2 on gd/fm to sf in his 4 starts to date; impressive lto where he signalled today’s trip should be within his compass; however, moving up in class and has a 7lbs rise in OR; so it won’t be easy.
These 6.5f handicaps always present a problem do you got for the 6f or for the 7f horses? Not helped by the fact there isn’t a horse that‘s won over both, but you pays your money and takes you chance. The likely favourite Ghalyoon strikes me as if he might actually need a step up to 8f, so I’m inclined to pass. Musicality has impressed in his 4 outings, but he’s now rising in class and has a 7lbs rise in the weights, which could slow his progress. I’m inclined to take a chance with Sir Mark’s Sunset Breeze and the 4yo Tranchee, though which way round is a bit of a guess. So, Sunset Breeze from Tranchee and perhaps Ghalyoon staying on into 3rd.