Doncaster 3.15

 

I'm not sure what we learnt about the Going yesterday, it's not Good, it's not Soft, a sharp shower may actually help it, so we have to work on the basis that some Good ground horses won't like it but neither will mudlarks.

 

GA Law heads the market and is a very impressive progressive horse, it's interesting he comes here and not to Cheltenham having won the Paddy Power in November, they step up in trip and I think the logic is to see if the stamina suffices at a flatter Track before considering Festival options up the hill at Cheltenham, the big and only negative for me frankly is the weight of 12 stones in the ground with as yet unproven stamina.

 

Tea For Free is another progressive Chaser upped in Class but the race has the feel for me of requiring a horse with a bit more experience and proven miles on the clock in these conditions.

 

CAP DU NORD has struggled this season like many in the Yard, some virus issues may explain a lot of that but we also mustn't forget that after a stellar 2021/22 season the handicapper was always going to be in charge this season. This one has come back down now to a competitive mark and I'd hope and expect a much better run than of late today. Mister Coffy JUST missed an investment, it will improve for seasonal debut and on merit would have a very strong chance here but the Trainer has eyes on Cheltenham in March again and I just don't think he'd want a 5-7 pounds penalty for winning this I may be wrong but for that reason alone i'll watch today and WAIT for Cheltenham!

 

CLOTH CAP owes no one anything but with the Champion Jockey up for an in form Jonjo its not hard to visualise this one turning back the clock off a mark of 138. Demachine is a danger back up in trip for Kerry Lee whose horses always seem to like Donny, Java Point will be in my TRACKER after today, its very consistent may be too consistent for its own good but the mark is a shade on the high side as a result. Shanty Alley is upped in Class but deserves a try in this sort of company and has proven stamina.

 

The other pair that I will have some shrapnel on are UNDERSUPERVISION for the Twiston-Davies yard that is enjoying a renaissance in form in the past week or so, its got a Course win at further and could be running in to form like the Yard and WINDSOR AVENUE who won this at 40/1 last year for a canny Trainer and who has done nothing since may well be primed too off a mark 2lbs lower than last year. I anticipate they will hunt round and try to be prominent seeking the better ground as before and if you can get in to a rhythm in this type of going it can be very hard to peg back if you get the fractions right!