19:53 Doncaster

Thursday 5 August 2021

All17:4218:1318:4819:2019:5320:25

William Hill Pick Your Places Racing League Race Eleven (Handicap)

Off time: 19:54 | Winning time: 2m 8.31s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Khagan^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89

12/1

Yet to match his French form for current yard, tried in a tongue tie the last twice. This does represent a marked drop in class and he's in excellent hands.

Form: 35/0007

(6)

HMS President^p1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 89| D

9/2

Back to winning ways at Windsor in May and creditable third over 11.5f there under Georgia Dobie 40 days ago. Way he shaped that day suggests first-time headgear is a good move.

Form: 43-0153

(10)

Highwaygrey⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| CD

11/1

Back on the up when winning a small-field C&D handicap in April. Excuses for defeats since so he's not without hope.

Form: 2-41454

(7)

Sarvan^p,t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: George Scott| OR: 86| D

7/2

Has just a maiden win to his name but right back on his game when second to a well-handicapped rival at Lingfield 3 weeks ago. Tongue tie added to cheekpieces.

Form: 344622

(3)

Pitcher's Point^p¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 84| D

12/1

Won brace of AW handicaps over this trip 6 months apart in 2020. Not in top form when last seen and well held previous turf start, but he could hardly be in better hands.

Form: 1174-36

(5)

Khatm⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie| T: G Boughey| OR: 81| D

28/1

Prolific on AW earlier this year, winning 6 times in all. Upset in the stalls when well held on turf debut in June.

Form: 121140

(11)

Duckett's Grove²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 80| D

33/1

Successful twice for this yard as a 3-y-o, but stint in Hong Kong last year was fruitless and he hasn't fired on all cylinders in 5 starts since rejoining Ed Walker. Others are preferred.

Form: 0-40597

(9)

Fierospeed⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 80| D

12/1

Won back-to-back AW handicaps in the spring. Failed to beat a rival both starts since on turf so has a bit to prove on grass.

Form: 9-21154

(8)

Russian Virtue^h³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Hector Crouch| T: D Menuisier| OR: 77

8/1

Found only one too good in a Sandown handicap in June. Bit disappointing over 11.5f at Windsor last time but capable of bouncing back dropped slightly in trip.

Form: 4-57324

(1)

Sheer Chance⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: D McMonagle⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 82| BF

9/1

No chance with the winner but nicely clear of the rest in a Down Royal maiden 37 days ago. Isn't obviously well treated.

Form: 830-822

(4)

Corbulo⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: M Dwyer| T: B J Meehan| OR: 76| D

7/2

Progressive gelding who made it 3 wins from 5 starts this term at Chester in June. Up 2 lb in a better race but demands respect.

Form: 9-12131

Forecasts

Corbulo (7/2), Sarvan (7/2), HMS President (9/2), Russian Virtue (8/1), Sheer Chance (9/1), Highwaygrey (11/1), Fierospeed (12/1), Khagan (12/1), Pitcher's Point (12/1), Khatm (28/1), Duckett's Grove (33/1)

A very open handicap, with CORBULO selected to take the step up in class in his stride and improve his already-impressive strike rate for Brian Meehan. Russian Virtue and Sarvan are a couple of potential threats.