The racing this week is a bit of an anti-climax after three days of top quality action from Cheltenham but I’ve picked out a couple of horses from Doncaster on Tuesday.
The first is an unraced novice hurdler called Annalulu who makes her debut for Highclere Racing and new trainer Paul Nicholls at 1.20. She is a daughter of Hurricane Run out of a mare by Loup Solitaire and was a pretty useful performer on the flat in France.
She won on her fourth start in a modest three-runner event over a mile and three-quarters and went on to win a very competitive handicap over the same distance at Deauville in July. She was due to run on Monday at Leicester but was taken out because of the heavy ground and should find conditions more suitable at Town Moor.
They don’t look a great bunch in opposition on Tuesday with Witch From Rome the pick on form after three placed efforts. The Tim Easterby pair were moderate on the flat but Dan Skelton’s Boss Des Mottes could be a threat. He is another French import but he will have to be useful to concede 7lbs to Annalulu.
My second bet of the day is Shadows Lengthen in the handicap chase at 2.50. If you’ve seen footage of this one’s victory at Wetherby last month you will be very tempted by Paddy Power offering 6-1 in their early price list. He is up 8lbs for a seven-length win over Off The Ground, although he could have doubled the winning margin if he’d been ridden out.
That was an impressive performance after a prep run in a handicap hurdle at the same course two weeks’ earlier. Brian Harding took up the running with three to jump and had his rivals in deep trouble from that point on. He was carrying 11st 11lb and only has an extra pound on his back tomorrow.
It’s quite a competitive event with the consistent Violets Bay running for Harry Redknapp and Crazy Jack making his chasing bow after a good run over hurdles. Uriah Heep won on his first start over fences for Alan King while Robbie is another with each-way claims after a good run at Musselburgh. I just liked the way Shadows Lengthen travelled and jumped at Wetherby and expect him to start a lot shorter than 6-1.
Annalulu 1.20 Doncaster @6-5 Betfair
Shadows Lengthen 2.50 Doncaster @6-1 Paddy Power
