Doncaster 3.15
Doncaster 3.15 November Handicap - Class 2 - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 23 run - Going Soft.
A fascinating Handicap and the Soft Going will be key. It's more than likely to be "dead pudding type ground" on a drying day where once any dew has gone the top surface may just firm up and create a pudding.
It's important then to look at horses who have proven end of season form in similar conditions and / or some proven stamina over further that indicates they will be able to stay on and run to the line.
EUCHAN GLEN is enjoying a great renaissance after an injury threatened a long lay off and is clearly the one to beat a Course and Distance winner in hot form and an each way saver if ever I've seen one. Sam Cooke from the Beckett yard is marginal favourite for obvious form reasons but has always struck me as a bit of a fragile horse, and I'm happy to take it on at the price and in these conditions.
The one I most like is Alan King's ON TO VICTORY with "the doyler" up, solid and consistent at the trip, in this Grade and off this mark and it will be most disappointing if the horse is not placed at the very least with enhanced places on offer here.
Beechwood Jude is interesting at a price but best form is in Class 4 and 5 races and one with a similar profile I fancy may have a better chance is GLENCADAM GLORY. A Course winner and a Distance winner. Best form is in similar conditions and although recent best is at Classes lower has some back form in this grade. The key is really the "running style". If the horse can get a prominent position and dictate it can take a lot of catching, if it doesn't it tends to switch off. We are hostage to that fortune though but at the price I'm happy to take that chance as it is one that could easily slip a field and take a hell of a lot of pegging back.
The other one who looks very well handicapped is DASH OF SPICE, trained by the legendary David Elsworth, gets the benefit if Tom Marquand in the plate and a horse who may just be running in to some Autumn form with signs of a revival last time and if coming to form could be a bit of a snip here.
TIP - On To Victory / Trackers - Dash Of Spice + Glencadam Victory (have a small stake saver on Euchan Glen if you wish)