15:15 Doncaster

Saturday 16 December 2023

All11:4012:1512:5013:2514:0514:4015:15

bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 6m 3.4s

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Selected odds by:

Minella Trump²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 145| D

40/1

Well placed to win 8 his 9 starts in 2021-22 and made successful reappearance at Perth (23.8f) in June 2022. Failed to stay in Grand National on final start of last season but trip/ground here fine and reappearance spin over hurdles ought to have blown away the cobwebs.

Form: 21/170-0

Ciel De Neige⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 145

50/1

Smart chaser at his peak for Willie Mullins and shaped quite well when sixth of 22 in the Galway Plate during the summer. Failed to build on that when down the field in Kerry National at Listowel, though, and he needs to bounce back.

Form: 5/07U-60

Sail Away^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| D

11/2

Made it to the racecourse just twice last season, latterly running his rivals ragged in an 8-runner Ayr handicap (3m, good). Below par on recent reappearance at Newbury (19.8f, good to soft) following a third wind op but entitled to come on for that and moving back up in trip can help.

Form: 2/3121-5

Whistleinthedark²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: K Brogan| T: L Morgan| OR: 142

9/1

Ended last season unbeaten over fences, easily winning 2½m Perth handicap on final start of that campaign. Struggled in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on return at Cheltenham but in calmer waters now and possibilities if his stamina holds out (untried beyond 21.4f under Rules).

Form: 21111-8

Mister Coffey²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140

9/2

:Talented but rather frustrating performer who jumped/travelled with bags of zest before stamina ran dry when eighth in last season's Grand National. Looked rusty/made mistakes on return at Cheltenham last month but he's lurking on a dangerous mark if everything clicks.

Form: 0/2238-4

Castle Robin^p,t²⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 136| CD

16/1

Resumed winning ways at Sandown in February, making most of the running and strong at the finish. Not in same form here next time before falling at Aintree, and this demands a clear career-best.

Form: 1/4P14F-

Slipway²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 135| D

20/1

Looked a stayer still firmly on the up when adding the Southern National to his CV at Fontwell last November. However, he hasn't shown much spark in 3 subsequent starts and yard saddles a stronger candidate in Nestor Park.

Form: 51/19P-9

Nestor Park^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 134

14/1

Just the one win to his name in this sphere but he has made the frame 12 times from 13 completed starts over fences, the latest when third in veterans' event at Aintree (25f, soft). 1 lb lower here and likely he'll be in the shake-up once again.

Form: 3/3P2-33

Manothepeople^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| CD

7/1

Dual chase winner last term who returned with a very good second of 11 in 3m Exeter handicap (soft) in October. Didn't get very far at Ascot next time but could have a part to play granted a clear round here.

Form: 112P-2U

Forward Plan^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125| D

6/1

Took well to fences last season, winning twice around 3m at Southwell and good second in a novice handicap at Ayr where he was beaten 11 lengths into second by Sail Away. Meets that rival on 8 lb better terms here and shaped well when sixth on return in the Badger Beer at Wincanton (25f, soft).

Form: 21132-6

Twoshotsoftequila²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 121| CD

11/4

Strong-travelling sort got off the mark over fences in 6-runner C&D handicap (good) in March. Has found just one too good both starts this season and while he needs to pull out a bit more in order to take this, he shouldn't be far away with Brian Hughes booked.

Form: 214-P22

Forecasts

Twoshotsoftequila (11/4), Mister Coffey (9/2), Sail Away (11/2), Forward Plan (6/1), Manothepeople (7/1), Whistleinthedark (9/1), Nestor Park (14/1), Castle Robin (16/1), Slipway (20/1), Minella Trump (40/1), Ciel De Neige (50/1)

FORWARD PLAN was unable to match strides with Sail Away at Ayr in April but he's better than he was able to show that day and, now 8 lb better off with that rival, has good prospects of reversing those placings. Anthony Honeyball's charge shaped well in a valuable handicap on his reappearance and should be spot-on with that run under his belt. Sail Away may still pose a threat but Mister Coffey has edged down to an attractive mark and is feared most. Whistleinthedark is another to consider.