13:10 Doncaster

Saturday 24 October 2020

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

Think Smart At Vertem Handicap

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 2m 36.35s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Laafy^v²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 104| D

7/2

Back on the up when cosily scoring at Ascot (1½m) last month. Below-par third in listed company at Newmarket subsequently but major player back in a handicap with conditions in his favour.

Form: 6-12613

(1)

Cepheus¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: B J Meehan| OR: 100

9/2

Posted a career-best when successful in 11f Glorious Goodwood handicap in July. Ran no sort of a race at Newmarket recently but no surprise were he to bounce back with a bold show here.

Form: 062120

(4)

Johnny Drama¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

9/2

Runner-up twice in York handicaps last year and by no means disgraced when sixth of 13 there (10.2f, soft) a fortnight ago (first run following a wind op/break). 2 lb lower now and merits respect.

Form: 202-096

(9)

Dash Of Spice^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 93| BF| D

8/1

Dual winner of big handicaps in 2018 but missed whole of last year and below par in 5 starts this season. Tongue strap refitted.

Form: 0/95067

(6)

Iconic Choice^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: B A Curtis| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 91

17/2

Brought the curtain down on a long losing run at Newmarket earlier this month. Solid fourth off this revised mark at York (10.2f, soft) next time and she shapes as though this stiffer test will suit.

Form: 980414

(8)

Eddystone Rock^t1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: J Mitchell| T: J R Best| OR: 87| D

22/1

Successful 4 times in 2019 and shaped as though coming back to the boil at Chester last month. However, failed to build on that next time and revival needed back down in trip with tongue strap added.

Form: 300P66

(10)

Fishable^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P Hanagan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92

9/2

Improved when landing back-to-back 9.8f Ripon handicaps during the summer. Fine second in first-time tongue strap (retained here) at York recently and this trip should be within his range.

Form: 231102

(7)

Battle Of Marathon¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 85| D

66/1

Won 3 times on the AW last winter and shaped well when fourth of 12 in 14.4f Chester handicap back from a break last month. Bombed out at Goodwood since, though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 138047

(3)

Tulip Fields⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| BF| D

9/1

Immediate improvement switched to handicaps this season, recording a quickfire double at Goodwood and Newmarket in June. However, has found life tougher since and she remains on a tough-looking mark.

Form: 3-11634

Non-Runners

(5)

Everything For You²⁸⁴

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: R Kingscote

Forecasts

Laafy (7/2), Fishable (9/2), Cepheus (9/2), Johnny Drama (9/2), Dash Of Spice (8/1), Iconic Choice (17/2), Tulip Fields (9/1), Everything For You (14/1), Eddystone Rock (22/1), Battle Of Marathon (66/1)

LAAFY wasn't at his best in listed company last time, but he looked better than ever when scoring at Ascot previously and is appealing back in a handicap off a feasible mark. Next on the list is Iconic Choice, who put in good late work when fourth at York a fortnight ago and this step up in trip looks a good move. Fishable and Johnny Drama also enter calculations.