3:32 Doncaster Tips

Prior to his gelding operation, Eternal Force hadn't produced a great deal. However, since then he has won all three races in the manner of a progressive animal. He does need to take a big step forward on what he's done so far, but William Haggas has a very good record with this sort. He is a very short price for a race as competitive as the Lincoln, but I'm prepared to risk that the trainer has one that's a bit better than average on his hands.

Expecting a big run from this horse as the yard has done well in this race in recent years. The owner won this race with Migration, so I feel like this one has been aimed at this prize.

There's been a slight drift on Valvano over the evening. I'm not overly-concerned at the moment. If it becomes a major problem I will be. As long as the horse is fit and ready (no reason to think otherwise) the statd suggest a big run

David Menuisier's 5-year-old won four handicaps in 2024 and won a Goodwood handicap over a mile last August. The yard won this in 2023.

From the Charlie Appleby yard, so fitness and ability are assured. Raced at Group 1 level as a 2yo and not far behind the likes of Wimbledon Hawkeye, Hotazhell, and Delacroix over CD in October 2024. Mark might be high for a handicap, but the apprentice takes off 7 lb, so it's a good opportunity for him. Instructions might be just a nice, simple race: get him to the front and keep going. Could easily be the Group horse in a handicap type and may well have gone quietly under the radar for a stable that knows how to win this. A high draw makes it tough, but he might still prove tough to beat.

This 6-year-old looks a promising each-way contender here, now trained by Karl Burke, who is known for his expertise with top-weighted handicappers. He is set to benefit from a low draw on ground that should be ideal. Burke observes that he is training well and will enjoy the juice present in the Doncaster turf.

The 6-year-old ran well at Group 1 level as a 3-year-old. He returned to the UK last year after a spell in the Middle East. He had some solid form last year, including three good runs and strong RPR ratings over this 8f course and distance. He was only beaten 2 lengths in this race last year when finishing 5th of 22, staying on strongly from the rear. A good apprentice is in the saddle now, and he’s effectively 12 lb better off at the weights this year.

Has some strong handicap form, including early last season before form went downhill. Could be a good time to catch him after a long break. Stable has been firing in winners recently, so that's another plus.

Had a very good 2025, winning at Chelmsford over a mile before going down just a neck in the Spring Cup at Newbury. Freshened up and won a 0-100 handing by 2L at Sandown followed by a 5th in the Victoria Cup and 3rd in the Shergar Cup Mile both at Ascot. Personally I'm putting a line through his York run as he had an awful draw and was stuck wide but he ended the season with a creditable 9th in the Cambridgeshire. Again, the draw didn't work out that day, he was actually 4th home from his group up the near side. He's still lightly raced for a 5yr old, just 12 runs to date and he shaped last season like a top handicapper in the making, that was his first full season in handicaps. I think he can do better again this season and doesn't look too high in the weights off 98, beaten just half a length off this very mark in the Shergar Cup Mile. Another plus is his record fresh, form figures reading 1113 when returning from breaks of 51+ days (won first time up last season off a 143 day break)

Likes the soft going. This one ran well to be within this last year. Has also run well here when the going is soft and may well have a squeak today if the rains come. Will like the course. Looks an open race this year.

Opening handicap cavalry charge of the new season and who wins is anyone's guess. But at 22/1 take a chance on ORANDI. He shaped like a horse who was having a run on his seasonal return as a prep for something bigger. He was beaten a nose and a neck last season in this. Connections have booked the useful Jack Kearney, who takes off 3 pounds. He's ridden him twice, winning once and finishing fifth. Posting this done 2 days in advance as I can see this one being one of the gambles of the race if not the meeting. High draw will be an advantage. The run last month under the eye-catching booking of Ryan Moore was interesting (maybe wanting his feedback perhaps). Either way, pound-for-pound higher than when third last year; take into account Jack's 3-pound claim, effectively 2 pounds lower. There's no way he'll go off 22/1. Any rain falling will aid his cause further.

Vulnerable to the glut of 4-year-olds, but I thought this horse was somewhat interesting here, back to the same mark as his peak RPR last season. He’s in better terms with some of these, albeit not all of them. In those runs he had excuses. He has a better record fresh than it appears, running with credit on each occasion. I think if Orr can get him a bit more prominent, he could end up getting involved in a race that lacks overall pace. His win last season off 2 lbs lower saw him forward, so he is capable of it. He doesn’t lack for pace overall and sits in the top third of the speed ratings of the horses in here. He won’t be many people’s idea of the winner of this, but I do feel he’s overpriced enough to hit the places.

Tactically very well suited and should go well here at this price. The top two in the market have plenty of class, and to be honest I do expect them to win. But with the shape (no pace), I'm backing a horse close to them who is proven in the conditions and on the faster side of the draw.

This horse's 3rd on 20 in a big Ascot handicap last autumn would give him better than a 40/1 shot here, especially since he's a pound lower and, for me, has been given a jockey upgrade. The trainer also won this race with a similar outsider just two years ago, and this one certainly looks to have been overlooked in the market. He's raced in Listed and Group class before, and this 4yo ticks quite a few boxes for such an outsider. The draw is somewhat of an unknown, but he's drawn 22 of 22 and there have certainly been occasions over the years where that's been an advantage, especially on rain-softened ground.