16:25 Doncaster

Saturday 4 March 2023

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 4m 45.62s

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Selected odds by:

Give Me A Cuddle²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N B King| OR: 117| CD

8/1

Bagged second success in this sphere over C&D in January but subsequent display in a first-time hood (discarded here) off this mark at Taunton left much to be desired.

Form: 1-12619

Malpas^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

11/1

Successful 3 times over 17f at Carlisle last season and went close over that C&D in November. Has followed that with a couple of decent efforts and while a shade more will be needed if he's to emerge on top, this 8-y-o is likely to give another good account.

Form: 11-6235

Fringill Dike³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 113

3/1

Winner of 3 novice events on the bounce, including on return at Hexham in September. Disappointing on first 2 starts in handicap company but back on track when third off 2 lb higher over this C&D last time and he's one to consider.

Form: 1-11753

Galahad Threepwood³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan| T: B Pauling| OR: 111| BF

7/2

Fairly useful on the Flat for Mick Channon and was in the process of running well when departing 3 out over this C&D last month. Whether he would've opened his hurdles account had he completed is debatable but held every chance at the time and has to be of interest off the same mark.

Form: P5524U

Prairie Wolf^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 110| C| D

5/2

Fairly useful dual bumper winner who has got it together over hurdles with cheekpieces added the last twice, just touched off by a progressive type at Catterick in January prior to going one better in good style over 19.3f at the same course last time. Now 9 lb higher but leading claims nonetheless.

Form: 383921

Okavango Delta⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 108| CD

17/2

Off the mark in first-time cheekpieces over C&D in November but hasn't threatened back here and at Ayr since. Likely to find one or two too good.

Form: 83-3186

Thunder Ahead^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 106| C

22/1

Fairly useful on Flat for Harry Dunlop. Off the mark at third attempt over hurdles in juvenile event here last February but well held both subsequent starts in this sphere and stamina to prove now upped in trip.

Form: 5317-9

Bentham³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C P McNamara| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 103

16/1

Winless since landing a Bellewstown maiden hurdle in July 2020 but there have been some positives to glean from some of this season's efforts, not least when seventh in a 22-runner Punchestown handicap in November. Dangerous to discount for respected Irish yard.

Form: 33P078

Forecasts

Prairie Wolf (5/2), Fringill Dike (3/1), Galahad Threepwood (7/2), Give Me A Cuddle (8/1), Okavango Delta (17/2), Malpas (11/1), Bentham (16/1), Thunder Ahead (22/1)

The vote goes to GALAHAD THREEPWOOD, who was in the process of mounting a strong challenge when unseating his rider 3 out in the C&D handicap won by Good Bye in January. He almost certainly would have finished ahead of the eventual third, the re-opposing Fringill Dike, had he completed and is very appealing off the same mark. Prairie Wolf has raised his game considerably with cheekpieces enlisted the last twice and looks a big threat, while Irish raider Bentham also needs a second look.