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Remind me next time

A full day of racing for a change, with Doncaster’s national hunt card leading the way from 1.45 alongside fellow jumps meet at Ludlow. There are two all-weather cards at Lingfield and a twilight one from Kempton Park. Paul Jacobs guides you through his thoughts on the feature card at Town Moor.

Doncaster Tips –

1.45 – Doncaster – It is interesting that Tony McCoy takes the mount on In The Rough as opposed to Master Malt as the last named was quite highly rated as a bumper horse, but has obviously had his problems. The former has promised to be a much better horse than his shows, but in my view not enough to support him here unless he is very strong in the market place.

I know that Master Wickham is held in quite high regard, but badly needed the experience last time out at Ludlow and the likes of Stellar Notion, Master Dee and RHAPANDO are preferred.

The former has to give weight away all round courtesy of an easy success on his hurdling debut at Newcastle, but that was a poor race and the other duo are preferred. Rhapando gets the vote following two fair runs in bumpers he went to Sandown finishing down the field in a pretty good novice event behind Vaniteux. That afternoon he raced pretty freely, but down in class here and given a more conservative ride I fancy he can make the most of the weight he receives Stellar Notion.

BET NOW – RHAPANDO

2.20 – Doncaster – Now that he has finally got off the mark at Catterick, HOLYWELL can start to fulfil his promise over fences and take this step up in class in his stride. Last year’s Pertemps Hurdle winner didn’t look a natural over the larger obstacles before putting in a cracking round of jumping at the Yorkshire track to readily see off good yardstick Shotavodka by four and a half lengths.

The step up to three miles allied to running over this galloping track looks spot on for the Jonjo charge and he is set to get the better of Top of the Range, the latter merely over jumping when coming a cropper in the race won by Ericht. However this step up in trip will test both his stamina and jumping and Victor Hewgo looks a bigger danger, a course and distance winner last time out and likely to make this a real test of stamina.

BET NOW – HOLYWELL

3.25 – Doncaster – This veteran’s race looks a hugely interesting from a betting point of view and at this stage in their careers it is a matter of working out which one of these former decent chasers has deteriorated the most based on their former rating, not the easiest thing to do. Burton Port has shown nothing since leaving Nicky Henderson, but has been given a breathing operation and anything within a stone of his best form would make him a shoe-in here. The betting will probably tell us if an improved performance is expected.

He is the main saver I would consider, but a number of these could be found out in the conditions in a well-run three mile race notably Fruity O’Rooney, Son of Flicka (needs better ground and hasn’t impressed with his jumping), Tranquil Sea and Aachen.

So the each-way selection is TIME FOR RUPERT, set to wear check pieces for the first time. Trainer Paul Webber feels he is still showing enough at home to warrant keeping him in training and this very stuffy horse may well have still needed his last run in the SkyBet Chase when behind The Rainbow Hunter. Off a handicap mark of 138, this could be last chance saloon for the 10-year-old and there can be no excuses for him here.

BET NOW – TIME FOR RUPERT (e/w)

3.55 – Doncaster – A competitive staying handicap hurdle with a couple of progressive lightly raced individuals that are quite interesting namely MATTHEW RILEY and Potters Cross.

The selection has only had the nine career starts to date, five over hurdles, but the further he goes the better he has looked and a staying on second behind Sausalito Sunrise at Haydock last time out was further proof that he needs a real test which he should get here.

Potters Cross was slightly disappointing in the Grade Two Lemington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick last time out, but this galloping track should suit him more, although it has to be said that chasing will be his ultimate game, but off a mark of 130 he does look dangerous in this grade. Of the remainder, Kaysersburg won nicely over course and distance last time out and a seven pound penalty doesn’t look very severe although this is a decidedly better race.

BET NOW – MATTHEW RILEY