17:40 Doncaster

Sunday 2 April 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 17:41 | Winning time: 1m 4.17s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Ey Up It's Maggie^p¹⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Billy Loughnane⁽⁵⁾| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 77| D

6/4

Lost her consistency during the second half of 2022, though short of room 2f out when fourth of 14 in handicap at Nottingham (5f, soft) on her final outing. Respected with good-value claimer on board as she drops in grade on her return.

Form: 502094-

(2)

Glory Fighter¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| D

11/1

Runner-up 3 times last term before losing his form towards the end of the campaign. Is now 4 lb below his last winning mark, though, so he's capable of getting involved if ready to go after 6 months off.

Form: 229006-

(5)

Phoenix Beach¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74| BF

15/2

Progressed again when off the mark in minor event at Southwell (6.1f) in August and subsequently sent off favourite (3/1) at the same C&D on handicap debut, but reportedly finished lame. Remains early days, so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 634217-

(7)

Lotus Rose¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jonny Peate⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 71| D

22/1

Won 2 handicaps at Redcar (both at 5f) last season, with his latest success coming in September. However, not in the same form on his last 2 starts of the campaign, so others preferred on his reappearance.

Form: 504178-

(3)

Sherdil²⁰⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 71| D

22/1

Recorded back-to-back handicap wins at Beverley (5f) last summer and not discredited when fifth of 12 at the same C&D (good to soft) on his final start of the year in September. Needs to find more away from Beverley.

Form: 119925-

(4)

Refuge^t¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 69| D

14/1

Successful 3 times in handicaps at Hamilton (all at 5f) in 2022 and soon back to form when placed on his first 2 outings in September. However, last of 12 at the same course when last seen 6 months ago.

Form: 219320-

(8)

Indian Sounds⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 68| DWS

11/1

Twenty three runs since his last win in 2020, but has been dropping in the weights as a result and made the frame when fourth of 10 in handicap at Southwell (5f, 16/1) in January. Task is now to build on his latest effort having had a wind op.

Form: 5564-74

(6)

Star Of Aria¹⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 66

13/2

On only his second start in a handicap, resumed his progress when third of 9 (5/1) at Southwell in November. Was suited by the return to 6f that day, so needs to pick up where he left off now back down in trip on turf.

Form: 45373-

(9)

Hey Mr²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: P T Midgley| OR: 63| D

13/2

From a falling mark, shaped well when sixth of 13 in handicap at this course (5.6f, good) when last seen in September, faring best of those on the near flank. Could be ready to return to winning ways on first run for yard after leaving Les Eyre.

Form: 884396-

(10)

Gustav Graves^h⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: D Shaw| OR: 59| D

12/1

At least as good as ever when doubling his career tally in handicap at Leicester (5f, good) on his final start in 2022. Has finished down the field both runs this year though, so has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 3321-90

Forecasts

Ey Up It's Maggie (6/4), Hey Mr (13/2), Star Of Aria (13/2), Phoenix Beach (15/2), Glory Fighter (11/1), Indian Sounds (11/1), Gustav Graves (12/1), Refuge (14/1), Sherdil (22/1), Lotus Rose (22/1)

The finale can go the way of HEY MR, who shaped well at this course on his final outing last season, faring best of those who raced stand side. The 5-y-o could be ready to take advantage of his career-low mark on his first start for Paul Midgley, though Ey Up It's Maggie is respected as she drops in grade. Phoenix Beach completes the shortlist.