13:50 Doncaster

Friday 3 March 2017

All13:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

BetBright Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 10.98s

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Selected odds by:

Virtuose Du Gouet^h1¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D H Dunsdon| T: M Wigham| OR: 105

20/1

Some solid efforts in France including when winning at Auteuil in 2013 but behind from a relatively early stage on debut for this yard last month and likely best watched in first time hood here.

Form: 119223/

Arabian Oasis¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 105

18/1

Has shown promise over hurdles including when third at Hexham in June last year. Pulled up on handicap debut on his return from a break last month but interesting if putting that poor effort behind him.

Form: P7413-2

Monfass²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 105

12/1

Started big prices for each of his three hurdles outings so far but put in respectable efforts at Musselburgh the last twice and wroth a check in the market on his handicap debut.

Form: 9-64517

Ruler Of The Nile³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 103

11/1

Winner on the Flat in early 2016 but well held at big prices in first three outings over hurdles and pulled up at Hereford on handicap debut last month.

Form: 776P93-

Generous Day²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 102

9/1

Failed to complete on two of his four outings over hurdles and heavy ground probably didn't suit on latest outing at Towcester. Signs of promise in penultimate outing at Bangor and interesting on handicap debut.

Form: 04

Silent Man¹⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: T H Weston| OR: 99

14/1

Placed in second of two point-to-point outings last season but well beaten in all four hurdles outings so far. Returns from nearly four months off and making his handicap debut here.

Form: 80P06-1

Recognition^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 105

20/1

Winner on the Flat last year and also over hurdles at Market Rasen in July. No show in first two outings for current yard but running much better in first time cheekpieces until falling heavily four from home. Interesting if full recovered with cheekpieces retained here.

Form: 139

Bletchley Castle^t1⁴²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: S Durack| OR: 94

4/1

Regularly front runs and not beaten far off a 4lb higher mark on his latest rules run in a handicap at Uttoxeter in June 2015. Still in front when falling in a point-to-point in six months later and returns from a lengthy absence in a first time tongue tie here.

Form: 3F/212-P

Fit For Fifty⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 92

8/1

Placed in a point-to-point in Ireland but well held in a bumper and three hurdles for current yard. Worth a check in the market making his handicap debut for a top yard.

Form: 830556-

Glimpse Of Gold^t⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 87

10/3

Maiden after nine starts and beaten 17L for both of his placings in handicap company. Pulled up when favourite at Uttoxeter last time out. Predicted better ground should suit in this and represents an in-form yard (7/39 recently) here.

Form: 83P311

Mexican Jim¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: P W Hiatt| OR: 85

9/1

Well beaten in a Flat maiden for his previous yard and similar result in three hurdles outings for current stable. Making his handicap debut here for a yard who's only previous runner here was victorious with a top jockey booked to ride.

Form: -8

Early Boy²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: A Crook| OR: 83

40/1

Well beaten at big prices in all seven rules outings to date including in a novice hurdle here last month. Makes his handicap debut in this.

Form: 97/97-90

Non-Runners

New Tarabela³⁴

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: A W Carroll J: Lee Edwards

Forecasts

Glimpse Of Gold (10/3), Bletchley Castle (4/1), Fit For Fifty (8/1), Generous Day (9/1), Mexican Jim (9/1), New Tarabela (10/1), Ruler Of The Nile (11/1), Monfass (12/1), Silent Man (14/1), Arabian Oasis (18/1), Recognition (20/1), Virtuose Du Gouet (20/1), Early Boy (40/1)

BLETCHLEY CASTLE can make a winning return to action in this competitive opening handicap. The gelding was placed off a 4lb higher mark when last seen in action under rules and looks the most likely to make the running here. The selection's trainer has had a winner recently and he is taken to get the better of Glimpse Of Gold who can be forgiven a poor effort on softer ground last time while handicap debutant Mexican Jim is another who can be given a decent chance with a top jockey in the saddle. 1. Bletchley Castle 2. Glimpse Of Gold 3. Mexican Jim