September 12 / 13.15 Doncaster

13.15

Good To Soft

Betfred Mallard Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £36078
  • 1m 6f 115y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV
View Course
Betfred Mallard Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00
  • Place: £3.80

Form: 21-609 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Sometimes slowly away; 4-8 last year, culminating in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) in October; not seen this term until July and back to form when a creditable, staying-on ninth of 22 at 40-1 in the Ebor at York (1m6f, good to firm; tongue tied first time) three weeks ago; down 2lb and a return to more testing ground may well suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Subsequent

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Excellent 3yo season culminated in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) and, after a delayed reappearance last year, he found career-best form to win a good handicap at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft; tongue tied second time) in September on final outing; the Yorkshire Cup and Ascot Gold Cup entries are striking but ideally he would be on ground softer than good.

5/1

1st

1

(11)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Subsequent

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Sometimes slowly away; 4-8 last year, culminating in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) in October; not seen this term until July and back to form when a creditable, staying-on ninth of 22 at 40-1 in the Ebor at York (1m6f, good to firm; tongue tied first time) three weeks ago; down 2lb and a return to more testing ground may well suit.

11/2

9th

9

(12)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Subsequent

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Sometimes slowly away; 4-8 last year, culminating in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) in October; he's not shown nearly enough on either start this season (not seen until July) and now has tongue tied first time.

40/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 031114 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Held up; hat-trick at York, Newmarket and Chepstow this summer on first three attempts at 1m4f, the last two legs on good to soft; creditable, never-nearer fourth of eight at Hamilton three weeks ago, when a muddling race couldn't have been ideal but he also now looks worth a crack at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Beylerbeyi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Tricky to settle and is held up in rear; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; back to near his best when eighth of 20 at Royal Ascot (2m4f) but he needs to hit a new high if he's to win this.

16/1

8th

1

(16)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Beylerbeyi

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; not nearly so good in his two races back on turf but his recent run at Epsom (1m2f) should have teed him up nicely for this; current mark and tactical issues coming from the rear are the chief worries.

12/1

10th

5

(17)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Beylerbeyi

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Acts on good to soft, much more to prove on soft; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 10lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year, prior to tailing off at 50-1 in the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester four weeks ago; he's not on a bad mark but plenty needs to go right if one of his late rushes is to prevail in this.

33/1

22/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 166940

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
AW hat-trick early this year but he came up short in his five starts since, given wind surgery after the second of those; last two outings (1m6f) were far and away his best turf form, tenth in the Ebor last time, but he needs better still; cheekpieces (last worn in 2023) return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(10)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Roaring Legend

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Olly Murphy

Fourth in this race last year off the same mark; fine efforts when runner-up in February on first two starts (2m, AW) since rejoining this yard, but reportedly made a respiratory noise next time and, following his third wind operation, he was a soundly beaten outsider in Listed race four weeks ago; others seem more solid.

40/1

5th

5

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Roaring Legend

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Olly Murphy

Fine efforts when runner-up in 2m AW handicaps in February on first two starts since rejoining this yard; reportedly made a respiratory noise at Musselburgh in April and he's had a third wind operation since; however, even if returning to form, a career-best if needed from this 6yo today.

25/1

6th

4

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Roaring Legend

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Olly Murphy

A poor show last May prompted a second wind operation and it was a solid campaign otherwise; never better than when second this February in 2m AW handicaps at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, but peak turf form isn't far behind it and he'll probably be on the premises.

7/1

Form: 0568-3 C

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Respectable eighth of 23 in the November Handicap here (1m4f, soft) ended his 2024 campaign; gelded before his good third of 14 at Epsom (1m4f, good) this April on final start for Raphael Freire (same stable) but absent again since; no show at Royal Ascot 2024 on his only go at this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Maxi King

9st 4lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Likeable 6yo who handles any ground and can usually be relied upon to give his running, as was the case when a close second to A Piece Of Heaven in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good); Toby Moore's claim meant the winner was giving him 8lb that day, so he looks to have his work cut out to reverse those placings; can run well but probably not well enough.

20/1

2nd

3

(8)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Maxi King

9st 5lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Reliable sort with a good first-time-out record, and he looks well worth this first foray beyond 14.5f, but there is something to prove if the ground if firmer than good; promising 7lb claimer has his first ride at Chester.

14/1

1

(3)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 2

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Maxi King

10st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Lightly raced for a 5yo; has twice made the frame since returning from another seven months off in June, finishing fourth of 13 in the Mallard at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft) last month (runner-up has since won the Cesarewitch); placed in both starts on AW as a 2yo including one here; not dismissed.

11/4

Form: 214112 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Improver on turf in May/June, badly hampered on his latest turf start (probably acts on soft); has hit substantially greater heights over 2m on AW since, making up plenty of ground when a close second on Newcastle AW last time; that run makes him look one of the best handicapped in this race and this 3yo could still have more improvement in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Synergism

9st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Last season included four wins and a good C&D second to Sax Appeal; a hard-working winner at evens in four-runner race at Lingfield (1m6f, good) last month, which he needs to improve on if he's to defy a 5lb penalty but that was a solid start to his 4yo campaign and he could still have potential.

12/1

1st

1

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:54 Lingfield

Synergism

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Won four times last year including over this trip at Sandown (good) in the summer; still 9lb above his last winning mark and off for seven months. but he is proven fresh and this is a drop in class; high on list.

7/4

3rd

10

(3)

22nd Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Synergism

8st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Improved as he's gone up in trip; should cope if this gets tactical given he won two six-runner C&D contests in August; his run in the Mallard at Doncaster last time didn't necessarily signal that the handicapper now has his measure.

100/30

16/1

Form: 604841

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
53 races already (17 over hurdles) and six wins before he made his first appearance over 1m6f three weeks ago, winning it in good style in first-time blinkers at Newmarket (good to firm; acts on soft); only five ran in that race and he's gone back up 5lb but it could be argued that he's not fully exposed either in blinkers or at this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Arqoob

10st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Lucy Wadham

Gained most recent win last August; below par in the latest of his two starts this term but is interesting on historical data, having defied a 2lb higher mark at Sandown on Eclipse day four years ago; drops in class.

7/1

6th

2

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Arqoob

10st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Lucy Wadham

Two wins last year (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good to firm) and reappeared with close fifth of eight at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; Brodie Hampson is a positive booking; could build on that latest effort provided the reapplied cheekpieces aren't a negative (pulled up over hurdles when worn once previously).

11/2

5th

6

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.

14/1

7/2

Form: 213-90

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Close third in this race (good to soft) last year off 1lb higher; not seen this term until late July but she's shaped encouragingly at Glorious Goodwood and in the Ebor at York, in the latter every chance 2f out when good to firm ground may not have been ideal; probable player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Shadow Dance

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Career highlights (1m4f/1m6f) for Roger Varian were in 2024 and he managed only mid-division in his three handicaps (at top meetings) last July-September; rather worse in both runs (his first races on AW) for new connections early this year but he returns to turf 8lb below his career-high mark.

28/1

7th

2

(4)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

On same mark as for his win at York (1m4f, good) in August 2024 but he's not seen much action since and has been well held in last four starts; may have needed the run on his stable/AW debut at Kempton (28-1) last month but others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

4

(3)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Campaigned on turf for Roger Varian, often in notable handicaps (won one at York in 2024); failed to reproduce his peak figures in a light 2025 campaign and sold for 60,000gns since last run; the betting may prove best guide on AW/stable debut.

20/1

14/1

Form: 3180/6

Last run: 96 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Tailed off lame in the 2023 Northumberland Plate on final start for Keith Dalgleish (same owners); has plenty of stamina in the pedigree and stuck on from last into a respectable sixth in nine-runner handicap at Goodwood (2m, soft; 2lb lower today) on return this June; stepping back in trip was not intended for his next start but he's been withdrawn from two 2m races since due to good to firm ground; needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 105y

13:18 Down Royal

Good Show

11st 12lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice early in Flat career for Keith Dalgleish; missed all of 2024 and failed to recapture best form in five runs for Andrew Balding last year; big price on Irish/hurdling debut at Thurles; unlikely to feature.

50/1

9th

3

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 34y

14:17 Thurles

Good Show

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice early in Flat career for Keith Dalgleish; missed all of 2024 and failed to recapture best form in five runs for Andrew Balding last year; rated 79 at season's end; others have stronger credentials.

20/1

5th

5

(2)

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:44 Nottingham

Good Show

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Long layoff before he stuck on from last into a respectable sixth in nine-runner handicap at Goodwood (2m, soft; 7lb lower today) this June; seemingly found 14.5f too short at Doncaster next time (not disgraced) but his 2m run at Ascot 12 days ago was pretty disappointing.

5/1

9th
5 (6)
Duraji

5/1

Form: 1-6584

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Brother to top-class Ghaiyyath; last season ended in June; failed to make a serious impact in Group/Listed races this term before his fourth of 14 off this mark on handicap debut at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) six weeks ago; needs to build on that but has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Duraji

9st 12lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Only 1-10 for Dermot Weld but was highly tried on occasions; made most from wide draw in major handicaps on both starts for Richard Hughes, reeled in late on when third in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) but backpedalling before the home straight at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm); big shout if he reverts to the Chester performance.

16/1

15th

13

(17)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Duraji

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Only 1-10 for Dermot Weld but was highly tried on occasions; made his debut for Richard Hughes in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) and, having broken well from his wide draw, he put up a bold show from the front only to be reeled in late in the day; a 2lb nudge is easy to stomach and dropping back to 1m6f could work given the cruising speed he showed at Chester.

14/1

3rd

7

(16)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Duraji

9st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Sole win (ten starts) for Dermot Weld was a maiden in 2024; has tried Group/Listed races but his most competitive show last year came when fourth of 14 in 1m6f handicap at Glorious Goodwood, off 3lb higher than today; tried a hood on AW debut at Lingfield in February and has since changed stables (same owners); has a bit to prove and such a wide draw is unlikely to help.

33/1

Form: 475784

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
He's 5lb lower than when completing a hat-trick last summer, having not come up to scratch this season; fourth of 15 in first-time blinkers at Haydock (1m6f) last Saturday, however, was his most competitive display for a while and gives him each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared at Kempton (2m, AW) in March with restored cheekpieces, which have been kept since; good second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) but he needs to bounce back from a disappointing show at Goodwood five weeks ago.

16/1

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

Form: -76541

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Caught the eye with his late progress over 1m2f at this meeting last year but it wasn't until three weeks ago that he gained a deserved first win, justifying favouritism in a 1m4f maiden at Clairefontaine; first attempt at that trip had been a respectable show at York the time before; tries another new trip today and he's not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Promethean

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Quite useful on the Flat at his best; always behind on first two hurdling starts and didn't achieve huge amount when well-held third in slowly run Southwell maiden (2m, good) last month but is still worth a glance in the betting before this handicap hurdle debut; tongue-tie refitted.

20/1

3rd

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Promethean

11st 5lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Sam England

A fair 1m4f Flat scorer for David Menuisier but yet to fire for his current yard, including in two hurdles; can't make a case for.

33/1

8th

8

8th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Carlisle

Promethean

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

A fair 1m4f Flat scorer for David Menuisier but yet to fire for his current yard, including on his hurdling debut at Southwell (2m) last month; not easy to make a case for.

50/1

66/1

Form: 1/350-

Last run: 406 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
One win (1m6f in Germany in 2023) from 20 races; seen mostly over hurdles in 2024 and 2025, performing inconsistently, and now has his first Flat run since soundly beaten in two major races over marathon trips last summer; this trip may be a better fit but he still has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Nachtgeist

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Olly Murphy

Useful Flat winner in Germany earlier in career and twice runner-up over hurdles during the past year, but now 0-15 since arriving in Britain and modest in two starts back on the Flat last month.

12/1

7th

2

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Nachtgeist

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Olly Murphy

Useful Flat winner in Germany earlier in career and twice runner-up over hurdles during the past year, but now 0-15 since arriving in Britain and modest in two starts back on the Flat last month.

12/1

12

(7)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Nachtgeist

8st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Olly Murphy

Useful Flat winner in Germany earlier in career but has barely bettered modest form over hurdles in Britain and trailed home well beaten back on the Flat at Doncaster last week; outsider.

100/1

13th
12 (13)
Midnight Lion

50/1

Form: 104000

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who had four wins over 1m2f this January-March and was a close fourth of 19 over 2m in the Northumberland Vase in June, all on the Newcastle AW; last three performances (back at Newcastle) make him look opposable, however, as does the big majority of his turf form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(16)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Midnight Lion

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

24 visits to Newcastle have yielded nine wins, seven over C&D; the latest came on New Year's Day when beating five rivals; fifth of 12 at Southwell since and could better that performance now back here, but there's a suspicion today's contest will prove too competitive.

25/1

5th

6

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Midnight Lion

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Enhanced his outstanding Newcastle record (all nine AW wins there) on New Year's Day when fending off five rivals; only 2lb higher and he'll probably be ridden positively as usual; has only raced twice here (unplaced).

13/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £114.90
Straight Forecast £124.57
Tricast £1938.13
Trifecta £2067.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Synergism

NEWMARKET:

Shadow Dance

POSTDATA:

Subsequent

The Star:

Promethean

TOPSPEED:

Align The Stars

RP RATINGS:

Synergism

D Express:

Synergism

Daily Mirror:

Synergism

Daily Record:

Synergism

The Times:

Subsequent

Telegraph:

Shadow Dance

The Guardian:

Shadow Dance

Daily Mail:

Shadow Dance

The Sun:

Shadow Dance