2:35 Doncaster Tips

Betting on the last day of the flat at Doncaster is probably a true fool's errand, but like the moth to the flame, here we go. The very promising three year old, Realign, might be the answer to this big field sprint handicap. He is very inexperienced but looks like he will handle the soft ground. Many of these have been on the go all season long and may be ready for their break.

It’s the last day of the flat season so I’m going to have a couple of plays in both of the big handicaps, starting with FINE INTERVIEW at 7/1. I can’t wrap my head around Realign is favourite; yes the son of Blue Point won LTO at Haydock but that came on good to soft in a C3 and he’s now running off the same mark as a 5.25l defeat at Ascot previously and is up in class again. Evening Saigon makes appeal but again this is a couple of steps up in class and it’s no sure thing that he’ll take to the tricky ground given Blue Point’s 14% SR (A/E 0.53) with fancied runners on soft/heavy. FI is a horse we know takes to the ground, winning on his last two starts under similar conditions including over C&D LTO. The Havana Grey gelding is running off a career-high mark but we haven’t seen his ceiling yet and Wathnan Racing excel at this time of year (39% SR, A/E 1.46 when fancied).

3rd at Musselburgh and 2nd at Newmarket before returning from a huge 418-day break and fresh from a gelding operation to win comfortably at Chelmsford. Up 4 lbs for that effort, but should still be progressive and give a good account here now fitter.

This looks like one of the toughest puzzles of the day to solve, with several runners coming into the race holding some sort of chance. I’ll take the double figure odds for Akkadian Thunder, who has been really competitive in similar handicaps all season, winning once here at Doncaster over 7 furlongs. Usually well backed, he needs things to fall right as a hold-up horse. During recent meetings on testing ground, the field has tended to edge towards the near side rail, so starting from stall 22 could play to his strengths. He has good course form, and there’s plenty of pace on his side of the track, which should give him a nice tow into the race. The visor goes on for the first time after he hung last time out, which should help him focus. Each way possibilities with bookies offering six places.

Talented Wootton Bassett 5yo Lord Bertie won over course and distance in a Class 4 handicap two weeks ago. Up five pounds for that victory but has won off a mark a pound higher in the past. Conditions clearly suit and now might be the time to catch him while he's in winning form. David O' Meara trains.

Fairly evenly matched with Fine Interview when the two fought out a decent handicap over CD recently. Conditions will suit again and with slightly different tactics, could finish a place better here.

OLIVER SHOW has won four races from 7f to 1m. Ninth over 1m at Ascot on his latest outing last month. Dropped in trip to 6f should suit. Seems well treated and could well be able to win this race.

The C&D winner is proving to be consistently reliable, even with age catching up to him, as he placed 3rd in a handicap over this C&D just 15 days ago. He is back in the running and presents excellent value for an each-way wager at 22/1 odds.

Consistent on his last 7 starts which includes 2 good runs his last 2 visits to this course. Handles soft ground. Last few runs were over 5f but he stayed on well late on so moving back up to 6f today shouldn't be a problem. This Jockey gets on well with the horse. Small each-way tip for today's NAP selection.

Eye Of Dubai (IRE) is a 4-year-old gelding by Havana Grey, trained by John & Sean Quinn with Jason Hart back in the saddle. He runs off a mark of 90 and comes here after a good effort at Doncaster last time, where he travelled well before just getting tired late on. The return to the same track is a plus, and with the ground staying soft, conditions look spot on for him. He’s a tough, consistent sort who always gives his running, and Hart knows him really well. Off this mark and with everything in his favour, Eye Of Dubai looks a solid each-way shout who should be bang there if he gets a clear run.

My each way play here comes in the form of ROACH POWER at 14/1 (6 places). He’s got a difficult draw in stall 1 to overcome but is on the same side of Sophia’s Starlight who’s likely to set the fractions up the rail and has been in tremendous form this autumn; most notable being a 1.25l success in a valuable handicap at Ascot on soft ground. The son of Ribchester won on heavy at Ffos Las the time before so he clearly relishes tough conditions, M Wigham does well with his 6yo’s (22% SR, A/E 1.58), has had a superb year on the turf (23% SR, A/E 1.82) and he targets them effectively in the autumn so it’d be no shock to see him end the year with a bang.

A very open Sprint Handicap where Stormy Impact appeals at 14/1. He loves the soft and has landed a plum low draw and ran his best race for a while last time, leaving his effort too late.

Milford won on debut as a 2-year-old but this year has been in the money four times without winning. In August, he was a good second in a C2 at Ascot off a 93. Although he was only seventh when last out here, that was after a duff start and he never got into the swing of things. Worth an EW 6P chance with Kevin Stott this time off a 92.

Drops down in trip and could make his presence felt here with six places on offer. Mark Winn with a seven-pound claimer this time.