September 09 / 13.25 Doncaster

13.25

Good

Coral Mallard Handicap

  • Prize money: £32400
  • 1m 6f 115y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV3
View Course
Coral Mallard Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Thunderstorms

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 3-3023 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Sole attempt at 1m6f (final start last year) was creditable on soft; better form this term with his three placings over 1m4f, most recently when third of 16 at York Ebor meeting in first-time cheekpieces, which are set aside here; made late headway that day as if well worth another crack at 1m6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

16th Sep 2022

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Newbury

Mahrajaan

10st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: William Haggas

chased leader, made challenge going easily over 3f out, soon pushed along, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong, lost third inside final 110yds

5/2

Abandoned

Form: 917245

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
All wins between June and August; in the form of his life this summer, also not at all disgraced at Hamilton two weeks ago, but is probably vulnerable today for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

13:30 Catterick

Dark Jedi

10st 2lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Tim Easterby

slowly away, held up in rear

9/1

5th

4

(9)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Dark Jedi

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

slowly into stride, held up in rear, no impression from over 2f out

12/1

3rd

4

(4)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Dark Jedi

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Disappointing favourite in this race last year but he does stay the trip and acts on heavy going; Thirsk in May saw his first win since 2022 but he's underperformed on last four outings; the last two were admittedly on AW and he's back to that last winning mark.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 53-314

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Held up; won at Goodwood (1m6f) in May in a tight finish after she had to wait for a run; good fourth over 1m4f at Haydock in July on sole start since, challenging widest despite repeatedly hanging left; could still have more to offer back at this sort of trip and looks set for a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

27th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Lingfield (AW)

Inchicore

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Alan King

never better than mid-division

11/1

14th

6

(10)

8th Oct 2022

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Inchicore

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Alan King

held up in midfield, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out

18/1

3rd

3

(5)

11th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

17:05 Doncaster

Inchicore

10st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

towards rear of midfield, pushed along 3f out, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden 2f out, made no impression, went third towards finish, no match for first two

5/2

Abandoned

Form: -13462

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; all three wins at 1m4f; stoutly bred and, having been below form on both attempts at 1m6f, he ran well when held up at Ascot over 2m4f and 2m on two of last three outings (raced freely with those tactics at Newbury in between); more to prove on softer than good; mixed messages and he needs another career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(19)

8th Oct 2022

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Going Gone

9st 7lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

held up in rear, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right and outpaced from over 1f out (jockey said gelding ran too free)

14/1

1st

4

(11)

11th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

17:05 Doncaster

Going Gone

9st 13lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

prominent, raced in second after 4f, pushed along and led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faced challenge inside final 110yds, just held on

7/1

Form: 83104-

Last run: 272 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
4-5 but still something of a revelation when winning easily at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft) last October; disappointing in the November Handicap here (soft) next time but not disgraced in December when last seen; hooded first time; 5yo who's had only eight races and is worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

Mr Curiosity

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Got up late on in this race (soft) last year off 1lb lower; 301-day absence is a concern but he needs a second look.

12/1

6th

1

(5)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:20 Ayr

Mr Curiosity

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Peak efforts this term have been at around 1m4f, including Ripon win in July and fourth at the York Ebor meeting, but he won over 1m6f in 2021; shaped okay in the 1m6f Old Borough Cup at Haydock last time considering the trouble in running over 2f out; major player.

7/2

Abandoned

Form: 021104

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 5yo (won in the mud there); won on good ground this summer at York (1m6f; second past the post) and Chester (1m4f with strong finish); disappointing in a hot race at Hamilton (soft) next time and although he ran respectably at Haydock last Saturday, he needs to better that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

0-17 on AW but he returned to form with a staying-on third here (1m6f) last month; now drops back in trip but he's 1lb lower than last time and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style; visor reapplied.

9/2

3rd

2

(7)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

On losing run and 0-16 on AW, unable to justify favouritism at Chelmsford 12 days ago; another 2lb lower today and too much ability to discount.

9/2

Form: 040001

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Emerged from the doldrums to score at the Shergar Cup at Ascot (2m) five weeks ago and a 2lb rise still leaves him 5lb lower than he was 12 months ago; best on good or firmer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

(13)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Themaxwecan

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

always behind, lost action and pulled up quickly home turn

14/1

6

(1)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Themaxwecan

8st 13lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Best on good or good to firm; 1lb lower than when winning over 2m at Ascot last August; comparable form when third this May and not disgraced in his two top handicaps since; however, he does not appear the percentage call and perhaps it's clutching at straws that a new jockey (as he has in today's race) has coincided with most of his wins.

16/1

Abandoned

Form: 546611

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four turf wins last year; back to form with a bang to win under Danny Tudhope at Musselburgh (2m2f; easily) and Redcar (1m6f, tidily) in space of four days recently; acts on good to soft, more to prove on soft; raised another 5lb, to clearly a career-high mark, but needs plenty of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Looked better than ever when third in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February and posted a good third on the Flat at Musselburgh last month; must enter calculations in refitted cheekpieces.

3/1

3rd

1

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Wise Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Adam Nicol

Won this prize in 2023 and had a fruitful Flat/hurdles campaign last winter before his close fourth in this; while he did not make an impact in either of his Flat runs this winter, latest hurdles form was his best in that sphere; 8lb lower than the 2025 renewal and a case can certainly be made.

13/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Runner-up here (2m, soft) last February and back on song when third at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; he's lightly raced over hurdles and is on an attractive mark judged on his very useful Flat form, but he needs to raise his game if he's to take this.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 603712

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Veteran who short-headed Dark Jedi to score at Musselburgh (1m6f) on penultimate outing and went close in a good race at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) two weeks ago; poor record at Doncaster, however, strangely not having beaten a single rival in his last four visits, including this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(2)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

16:05 Ayr

Sir Chauvelin

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

held up in last

9/1

4th

9

(9)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

17:55 Ayr

Sir Chauvelin

8st 8lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran who has won lots of races but hard to be confident in current vein of form.

20/1

10th

8

(7)

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Goodwood

Sir Chauvelin

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Jim Goldie

steadied start, in rear

25/1

Form: 100222

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Reliable sort, including when runner-up in this race last year; further seconds on last three outings (one on soft) show again that he is well capable of being seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

20

(6)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

HMS President

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

8yo whose last turf Flat run was in May 2024 (tailed off) with some fair hurdles form since; three seconds and two fourths from his five visits to Ascot, most notably when beaten a neck in this race two years ago off the same mark as today; that followed a 1m6f win and he's not entirely dismissed even though the 1m6f Copper Horse on Tuesday (first reserve) was seemingly his preferred engagement this week; usually wore headgear in 2021 and 2022, now tries a first-time visor.

50/1

17

(8)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

HMS President

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Reserve; has a good record here and went close at this meeting in 2023 (1m4f, good to firm); stays 1m6f; some good runs over hurdles since last November but it remains to be seen if this 8yo is the same force as two years ago; wears a first-time visor.

40/1

11th

4

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

HMS President

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Useful on Flat and has a solid record (2122) over hurdles; penultimate effort in this sphere is a strong piece of form; however, rather lacks room for significant progress, having raced 41 times in total.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 337142

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won in a small field at Wolverhampton (1m6f, AW) in July; close fourth here next time and pipped at Lingfield on latest, both 1m4f; his only two runs on softer than good were in bumpers, running well; in good form but needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

(7)

24th Sep 2022

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:25 Chester

Fair Star

8st 11lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

raced wide, midfield, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, dropped to rear over 1f out, soon got behind, tailed off

12/1

3rd

1

(3)

15th Sep 2022

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Fair Star

9st 12lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

slowly away, headway and prominent after 1f, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on

9/1

11

(10)

11th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

17:05 Doncaster

Fair Star

9st 6lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Abandoned

Form: 147664

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Three wins last year and another this January, three of them on AW; couple of shockers in his career record, including last October (soft) on sole run on softer than good; first run since sold out of Marco Botti's for 42,000gns when close fourth to Themaxwecan in Shergar Cup race at Ascot (2m) on latest start, so he needs a second look here with tongue tied first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(5)

13th Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Moliwood

9st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

0-12 since winning off 6lb higher over C&D at the start of 2022, but in the frame in three of his five starts since returning from over a year off in November; one for the shortlist.

7/1

4th

2

(8)

4th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Moliwood

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

soon led, headway after 1f, soon in touch with leaders

9/1

9th

6

(1)

4th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:32 Lingfield (AW)

Moliwood

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

3-11 on AW; 0-6 for current yard but has been placed in two of his last three races and ties in closely with Artisan Dancer on latest effort; each-way possibilities off same mark.

11/2

Abandoned

Form: -13121 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Had a year on the sidelines before this season; it's been a fruitful return with one win at Bath and two over 1m6f at Salisbury from five starts; sole run on softer than good was in Germany in 2019 (came third on soft); in career-best form, with a career-high mark too but he's in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

17:55 Stratford

Songo

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Richard Hawker

Ran fairly well when fourth on last two hurdling starts at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) but it's over two years since his last win in that sphere and this Flat-bred 9yo has left it late in the day to begin his chasing career.

16/1

1

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Songo

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Richard Hawker

Dual 2m5f hurdle winner here in summer 2023 but has largely struggled since; however, he took a good step forward with a tongue-tie added when fourth over C&D last month dropped to this level; well treated on best form and has possibilities, especially if recent wind surgery has a positive effect.

11/1

1

14th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:50 Newton Abbot

Songo

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Richard Hawker

Yet to add to his two 2m5f novice hurdle wins here in summer 2023 and returned from a break with two very disappointing runs last month; needs first-time tongue-tie to make a big difference.

40/1

Verdict

Among plenty of viable options, the best may be INCHICORE (nap) who’s found improved form this season and shaped as if she may well still be capable of better. This step back up in trip looks sure to help, for a start. Mahrajaan is second on the list following his strong finish over 1m4f at the York Ebor meeting, while Wise Eagle and HMS President can also get seriously involved.[Richard Austen]

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Mahrajaan

SPOTLIGHT:

Inchicore

RP Ratings:

Wise Eagle

POSTDATA:

HMS President

The Times:

Inchicore

Daily Mail:

Inchicore

The Sun:

Inchicore

The Star:

Wise Eagle

NEWMARKET:

Mahrajaan

Telegraph:

Mahrajaan

The Guardian:

Mahrajaan

Daily Express:

Mahrajaan

Daily Mirror:

Mahrajaan

Daily Record:

HMS President