Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday Tips by Dave Stevos
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday ITV Racing Tips
Thursday didn’t go to plan for us at Gowran Park. There was a massive move for Mary Frances who went off at just 11/2 (advised 33s). I thought Robbie Power could have been more aggressive on her early doors and maybe pinched a lead but it wasn’t to be. Someday was also well backed but he flattered to deceive. He looked like he was going to make a challenge but he got tired in the closing stages. Alpha Des Obeaux never got competitive and he will be of interest if he heads to Aintree. Cheltenham has been lost to the weather tomorrow, but you can check out Dave Stevos’ Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday selections below…
1.30 Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday: Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
Saturday’s live ITV Racing action kicks off with this 16.5f Grade 2 Novices’ Chase. This race is all about Shishkin. The 8/11 Arkle Chase favourite looks impossible to oppose. He is unbeaten when completing under rules (6/7 one fall) and he was the Supreme Novice winner at Cheltenham back in March. He bolted up in his two chase starts this season, a class 4 heat at Kempton and then a Grade 2 at the same track over Xmas. Nicky Henderson’s charge is rated 13lb higher than his nearest rival and if Nico De Boinville keeps him out of trouble he should win.
At the weights, Cheddleton is most likely to chase Shishkin home. Jennie Candlish’s 6yo son is rated 149 after winning a couple of minor events at Carlisle and Haydock. He gave former G1 winning hurdler Cornerstone Lad a thumping last time at Haydock, conceding 9lb to him. He carries 5lb less than the similarly rated Eldorado Allen. Colin Tizzard’s horses are still running poorly (no winners in 38 days) and Fast Buck could be Cheddleton’s biggest challenger for the runner up spot. With only 2 places available I won’t be having a bet though, this is one to just watch.
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday Tip: No Bet
2.05 Doncaster: Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Another small field of just 6 mares will fight it out for honours in this 16.5f Grade 2. Henderson and Nicholls dominate the betting with Floressa and Marie’s Rock for the former and Miranda for the latter. On ratings those three should have it between them but at bigger odds I am taking a chance on Rayna’s World. This 6yo daughter of Poet’s Voice is trained by Phil Kirby. He won this race for the past two years with the admirable and tough Lady Buttons. He would love to complete the hat-trick with this mare.
She ran a cracker in a Listed heat last time out when a solid 2nd behind Nada To Prada at Haydock (19f hvy). The soft conditions will suit her more than a couple of others in the race and this drop back in trip should pose no problems. She was 3rd at 100/1 in the Grade 2 mares’ novice at Cheltenham last year when she finished 8L in front of Floressa. She is just a pound worse off with that mare, who is 15/8, and Raynas World is 14s. At the odds, she has to be worth a small interest each way.
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday: Raynas World e/w @ 14/1
2.20 Lingfield: Handicap (Class 5)
The last thing I expected to be doing this weekend was previewing a 7f Class 5 handicap from Lingfield! Only 7 runners have been declared and Power Me is 11/10 to make it 4 wins from his last 4 starts. His last two wins, off 64 and 73, have come over C&D. Robyn Brisland’s charge is well in under a penalty after his win 6 days ago. He looks the one they all have to beat off a mark of 75.
If Power Over Me does fluff his lines, Chocco Star could be the one to benefit. Trained by Chelsea Banham, this mare arrives in solid form. She was unlucky not to win off 58 at Wolves 2 runs back and she was a good 2nd off 57 on her last outing. A former C&D winner off 54, she is just 3lb higher now. She also has placed form that ties in with the fav through Garth Rockett. Hopefully they go a decent clip early and if they do, Chocco Star should be staying on at the finish. At odds of 10/1 she is the each way pick.
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday: Chocco Star e/w @ 10/1
2.40 Doncaster: River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Finally, a decent sized field to get stuck into! A dozen are due to go to post for this 24.5f Grade 2 for novices and it is a wide open contest. The stamina sapping conditions won’t be ideal for some of these, including the 2nd fav Bobhopeornohope. One horse that won’t have any qualms regarding the ground is Fern Hill for Ben Case and Kielan Woods. This likeable son of Dylan Thomas has won his last two starts in Novice company, both on soft at Wetherby.
The first of those wins came over 19.5f when he proved far too good for Poldark Cross. He then followed that up over 21f, staying on dourly to beat Witness Protection by a head. He won a novice next time out, as did the 3rd (by 11L). On that form a rating of 130 might just underestimate him and he could prove to be better than that. He has had plenty of time to get over his last tough run and on pedigree there is every chance this distance will suit. At odds of 10/1 with 5 places on offer, Fern Hill is the e/w NAP of the day.
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday: Fern Hill e/w @ 10/1 NAP (5 places Skybet)
Lingfield Saturday 2.55: Handicap (Class 2)
This is most certainly a higher class contest than the last race we looked at from Lingfield. However, it is another small field with just 5 competitors. The distance is 12f and Pirate King is a warm order for Fellowes and Shoemark. This 6yo son of Farhh has a superb record over C&D (111423) Yes, he is admittedly racing off 9lb higher than his last winning mark but he ran really well last time off his current rating. There could still be more to come from him and he is a worthy favourite.
The one I like at the current prices is another horse with a superb record over C&D. Renardeau represents Ali Stronge and PJ McDonald and he returns to his favourite track on his last winning mark of 79. This is admittedly a tougher race than the three he won last term. However, he was placed off 84 in a class 3 here in March last season. The 5yo son of Foxwedge shaped very nicely last time at Wolves and he looks to be hitting peak form. If Pirate King isn’t at the top of his game Renardeau could be the one to take advantage. At odds of 13/2 a small e/w bet is advised.
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday Tips: Renardeau e/w @ 13/2
3.15 Doncaster: Skybet Handicap Chase (Listed)
A 3 mile trip awaits the 13 runner field in this Listed handicap chase. One horse that looks potentially well treated off a mark of 140 is Boldmere for Sean Bowen and Caroline Bailey. He has won three races, including over C&D, all on good to soft ground. However, these softer conditions should be fine for him as he was in the process of producing a career best on soft in a Grade 2 at Wetherby when falling at the last with the race at his mercy.
He has run decently without threatening to win in 4 outings this season. As a result his mark has slipped to 140 and on that Wetherby form he is well treated. The booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye too. He won on his only previous ride on this fella over C&D and he is 23/152 with 59 top 4s when riding for this stable (54% frame hitting strike rate). This is the most valuable race he has run in so far this season and I wouldn’t be surprised if it has been the plan for some time. 16/1 looks a more than decent price and with 5 places on offer, Boldmere is the NB e/w bet of the day.
Doncaster and Lingfield Saturday: Boldmere e/w @ 16/1 NB (5 Places)
3.30 Lingfield: 8f Handicap (Class 3)
There isn’t much early pace in this mile heat so it could be tough for the hold up horses to get involved. It may well pay to be prominent and one horse that should have no issues if it is a slowly run affair is Golden Force for Charlie Fellowes and Stevie Donohoe. This 5yo scored by 0.5L at Wolvers over 8.5f last time out. That win came off 83 and he is in off a mark of 85 today.
He raced prominently in that Wolves victory and he has made all to win on turf in the past. He is no world beater but he usually gives his running and he comes into the race on the back of two solid efforts at Wolverhampton. Charlie Fellowes’ inmate did run poorly on his only previous visit to Lingfield but it was too bad to be true and I don’t think the course was to blame. I think he can make a bold bid under Stevie Donohoe and at odds of 5/1 a small win bet on Golden Force is the order of the day.
