October 25 / 16.25 Doncaster

16.25

Heavy

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £23553
  • 1m 2f 43y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: 210031 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Grey Cuban

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.

5/1

1

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Grey Cuban

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who won at Chester (1m2f, good) in July and returned to form when third of five in Listed race there (1m4f, good to soft) last month; he's saved his best for Chester this season but has shown promise at York in the past and the drop back in trip is a likely plus; can make a bold bid.

20/1

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Grey Cuban

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

This course rather dominates his turf record, most notably with a big career best to win 1m2f handicap in July in good style from the front; the scale of his defeats at other tracks on his last two outings is a concern and although better seems likely on this return to Chester, stamina is in doubt.

14/1

14/1

Form: 095860 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Three-time turf winner (including on soft) who is 4lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last December; however, he's failed to threaten across his seven runs since March and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Savvy Victory

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: S Woods

His form deteriorated last year and he went 0-9; however, he's dropped down the weights and could improve for his recent comeback in a Listed race at Kempton (fourth); this C&D winner is not ruled out.

15/2

4th

5

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Savvy Victory

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Woods

Useful handicapper on his day including on AW, but unplaced in all nine starts since reappearing a year ago and would be receiving weight from all his rivals in a handicap.

20/1

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: -10930 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Well beaten when upped to 13.2f at Newbury last month but showed spark when close third of seven in slowly run race at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) previously; his handicap wins have come at 1m1f/1m2f and he seems versatile ground-wise; not ruled out now back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Majestic

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Went close when returned to Britain at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) last August but towards the rear on all four starts since, latest when back on good ground 13 days ago; coming down the weights but best watched at present.

12/1

7th

4

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Majestic

9st 3lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Very useful winner at his best; posted a good third over 1m4f here in August but below par on softer ground subsequently; not dismissed off a reduced mark on his return.

25/1

3

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Majestic

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Jack Channon

Well beaten when upped to 13.2f at Newbury last month but showed spark when close third of seven in slowly run race at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) previously; his handicap wins have come at 1m1f/1m2f and he seems versatile ground-wise; not ruled out now back down in trip.

20/1

Form: -82022 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Two-time heavy-ground winner who was fourth of 17 in this last year (soft) and has run well to finish second on his last two starts (1m2f/1m, soft/good to soft); key player with conditions in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

17

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Alpha Crucis

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Good fourth in this in 2024 (soft) and respectable eighth last season (good to soft), making his reappearance each time; runner-up on three of his five subsequent starts last term (good to soft/soft); his four wins have come on soft/heavy going and such testing ground today seems unlikely.

28/1

Form: 533716 CD BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
8yo who has been in and out this year and was soundly beaten at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last time but prior to that he won over today's C&D (soft) and can't be ruled out off this 4lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(4)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Fantasy Believer

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

8yo who has been in and out this year and was soundly beaten at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last time but prior to that he won over today's C&D (soft) and can't be ruled out off this 4lb higher mark.

10/1

6th

3

(2)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 3

16:05 Epsom

Fantasy Believer

10st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

Retains ability aged eight and bagged a Class 2 prize at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) most recently, taking record to 10-56; back on career-high mark but drops back in grade; may well remain competitive.

9/2

6

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:50 Doncaster

Fantasy Believer

8st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

In top form when racking up a hat-trick last summer and back at that level when third over 1m2f at Newcastle (AW) and Chepstow (good to soft) this summer; never a threat after a slow start at Southwell last time but more than capable off this mark and Oisin Murphy takes the reins.

8/1

Form: 1-8558

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won 2yo Listed race at Chantilly (1m1f, heavy) last October but disappointing in the main in light campaign this term and down the field in C&D handicap (soft) last time; first-time blinkers need to prompt a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

13:10 Catterick

Square DAlboni

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2yo Listed winner for Ralph Beckett who was 0-5 on the Flat last year; fairly encouraging start to hurdle career when third of 11 at 12-1 at Newbury (2m, good to soft) this month; open to improvement in this code and top trainer has 39% strike-rate here in last five seasons; leading claims.

5/6

3rd

11

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:05 Newbury

Square DAlboni

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Trained on Flat by Ralph Beckett, posting a record of 3-4 (including Listed win) as a 2yo but 0-5 last year; sold for 45,000gns since last run; best form suggests he could make into a useful hurdler.

15/2

7

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Square DAlboni

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Won 2yo Listed race at Chantilly (1m1f, heavy) last October but disappointing in the main in light campaign this term and down the field in C&D handicap (soft) last time; first-time blinkers need to prompt a revival.

20/1

Form: 211263 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Seven wins this year (1m-1m4f, including on good to soft; unraced on softer) and looked better than ever when close third of 11 at Nottingham (1m2f, good to soft) last time; in the mix if handling the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Crowd Quake

8st 11lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Seven wins this year (1m-1m4f, including on good to soft; unraced on softer) and looked better than ever when close third of 11 at Nottingham (1m2f, good to soft) last time; in the mix if handling the ground.

15/2

2

(1)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

16:35 Nottingham

Crowd Quake

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Stuart Williams

Can make the running; highly progressive 4yo until a lesser result at Ayr on latest outing but being hampered at the start seemed to scupper him; had seven wins May-August and went mighty close at the Doncaster St Leger meeting last month; 5lb higher today but he remains one for the shortlist.

100/30

10

(10)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Ayr

Crowd Quake

9st 1lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Highly progressive 4yo who made it seven wins from his last nine starts when scoring at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month, and he was a close second of 14 off this mark at Doncaster last Thursday (1m4f, good to soft; unraced on softer); reappears before 5lb rise kicks in and holds very solid claims.

100/30

Form: 320006 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Appeared to have gone off the boil but his sixth of 14 to Grey Cuban at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago was a step back in the right direction and he may be able to take another today; on a dangerous mark and he's effective on soft ground; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Have Secret

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

6yo who is on a career-high mark but he looked better than ever when winning by just over 2l at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last month; close third in this last year (good to firm) and could again be thereabouts.

10/1

1st

7

(3)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Have Secret

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Redcar (1m2f, good) last November and not beaten far when fifth of 12 at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) last month; could show the benefit of that latest outing today and he's one to consider.

7/1

Form: 423322 BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won his first two starts for James Owen in the spring and a string of good efforts in defeat since, finishing third over C&D (soft) last month and a close second at Kempton (1m3f, AW) last time; cheekpieces return (no positive impact on sole previous use in May 2024); could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

13:45 Beverley

Sportingsilvermine

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: James Owen

Did well last spring and was placed five consecutive times last summer/autumn; now well handicapped on those exploits but beaten upwards of 8l on all four outings this year; can't rule out a revival but hard to be confident.

8/1

7th

6

(16)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Sportingsilvermine

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Owen

Did well last spring and placed five consecutive times last summer/autumn; now well handicapped on those exploits but down the field in his three appearances this year; latest was in a 1m4f race at Chester last week, where he'd been runner-up the year before, so there are doubts currently.

22/1

10th

2

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Sportingsilvermine

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Placed five consecutive times on turf/AW last summer/autumn and now well handicapped on those exploits but finished well down the field on first two appearances this year (1m6f/1m2f); hood removed after one use.

14/1

Form: 142236

Last run: 44 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Merely mid-division when upped in trip over C&D (good to soft) last month and could do with settling better; unraced on soft/heavy; however, this 3yo produced a run of consistent performances in the summer and holds each-way claims if back on song today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Immediate Effect

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual AW Flat winner won a C&D juvenile hurdle on debut in this sphere; respectable run in a Grade 1 next time but was poor at Listed level at Naas since; has to return to best.

14/1

5th

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

14:30 Naas

Immediate Effect

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice on AW for Sir Mark Prescott (7f/1m); bought for 45,000gns and lived up to his name when scoring on yard debut in Punchestown maiden on New Year's Eve, travelling and jumping well on yielding ground; seemingly exposed at Grade 1 level at Leopardstown early this month but definite claims back down in class.

4/1

Non-runners

El Burhan, Mustazeed

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.00
Straight Forecast £60.92
Tricast £413.72
Trifecta £670.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Alpha Crucis

SPOTLIGHT:

El Burhan

The Star:

Crowd Quake

The Times:

Immediate Effect

Daily Record:

Sportingsilvermine

POSTDATA:

Grey Cuban

TOPSPEED:

Have Secret

LAMBOURN:

Fantasy Believer

Telegraph:

El Burhan

Daily Mirror:

El Burhan

The Guardian:

Alpha Crucis

Daily Mail:

Alpha Crucis

D Express:

Alpha Crucis

The Sun:

Alpha Crucis