April 02 / 17.05 Doncaster

17.05

Soft

Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4291.88
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.20
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 13363- CD

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Her two wins have come on good/good to firm (including over C&D) but she handles soft ground, as when beaten around half a length into third of eight at Nottingham (5f) on her final start last year; she may need this first start in 158 days, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

16:35 Doncaster

Little Muddy

9st 1lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Well treated on her old form but last win was over two years ago and she has form figures of 77870096 in the last 13 months; handles most ground but she has plenty to prove and needs a big turnaround.

10/1

4

(4)

21st Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

13:55 Redcar

Little Muddy

9st 7lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Major player on her 2023 form but she went the wrong way last year; there was more encouragement in her midfield finish in a 0-72 handicap at Doncaster three weeks ago (5f, good), however, and she's considered back in these calmer waters.

6/1

6th

4

(4)

21st Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

13:55 Redcar

Little Muddy

9st 7lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Major player on her 2023 form but she went the wrong way last year; there was more encouragement in her midfield finish in a 0-72 handicap at Doncaster three weeks ago (5f, good), however, and she's considered back in these calmer waters.

6/1

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 73098- D

Last run: 138 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
On a 13-race losing run despite sliding down the weights and showed little in two starts for this yard in the autumn; has winning form in soft ground and can go well fresh but others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(16)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Spoof

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran with 11 wins but the most recent was back in October 2023; starts this campaign off a reduced mark but others look safer.

25/1

7th

8

(7)

21st Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

15:45 Yarmouth

Spoof

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran who made a pleasing return from a three-month break at Haydock last month; not so good at Redcar 17 days ago and others appeal more.

25/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 13062- D

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Both wins came at Hamilton last year, the latest in first-time cheekpieces in August (5f, soft); not seen in 167 days but has gone well fresh before and should relish the likely conditions; no headgear today but still high on list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(7)

20th Jun 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:40 Ripon

Burj Malinka

9st 10lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Adrian Nicholls

led against near rail

11/2

3rd

11

(11)

6th Jun 2024

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

14:55 Hamilton

Burj Malinka

9st 3lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Adrian Nicholls

Extended his run of creditable efforts last time, when he divided Huddle Up and Count d'Orsay at Carlisle; no problems with ground/track/trip and likely to give it his best shot again.

5/1

3rd

6

(9)

30th May 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Carlisle

Burj Malinka

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Back to winning form at Thirsk (6f, heavy) last month and has twice run well since, fourth of nine on ground that would have been quick enough at Beverley (5f) last time; considered under his promising amateur.

7/2

Form: 288-89 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 8st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
4lb below last winning mark but he looks best on Tapeta and even his AW form has been below par lately; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(7)

18th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Tantastic

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Market springer here last week but he dropped away over 1f out (behind three of today's rivals); headgear back on today but others appeal more.

10/1

8th

8

(3)

12th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tantastic

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

One of his two wins came over C&D but that was 23 months ago; not beaten far on a couple of occasions in January but likely vulnerable for win purposes again.

16/1

7th

12

(5)

2nd Feb 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tantastic

9st 2lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Tony Coyle

Not beaten far into fourth in this grade on his last two starts; rider's claim is useful today and the return of cheekpieces might help too; poor strike-rate but likely to go well again.

5/1

Form: 2228-9

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Often a front-runner; 2-29 and still 4lb above his last winning mark but he should be all the better for last month's Newcastle return and, with few other established trailblazers in the field, he could enjoy the run of the race; ran well in a race on yielding to soft when trained in Ireland.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(7)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:45 Hamilton

Majeski Man

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins over 5f on good/good to soft in spring of 2023; a couple of fair efforts this season, including when second at Redcar last time (5f, good to firm); on a good mark; each-way chance.

9/2

2nd

2

(1)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:13 Redcar

Majeski Man

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Hindered by unfavourable draw at Beverley last time and is better judged on his consistent spell leading up to that; interesting in this grade off 8lb below last winning mark.

11/2

16

(15)

25th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Beverley

Majeski Man

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner who arrives in good order, third of seven at Yarmouth (5f) last time; he's one for the shortlist.

9/1

11/2

Form: 64214- D

Last run: 149 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Made his debut only last August and got off the mark at Nottingham (5f, soft) in October; far from disgraced when fourth of 14 under his penalty at Newcastle (5f, AW) nine days later; remains unexposed and should handle the likely conditions, so respected if ready to go after five months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(3)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

High Opinion

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Bryan Smart

Shaped as if in need of comeback run at Nottingham (5f, good; sixth of eight) in April; has some decent C&D form to his name and is 10lb lower (and claimer ridden) than when seeing off Our Absent Friends here in August 2024; foolish to discount hastily.

10/1

6th

5

(2)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

High Opinion

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Bryan Smart

More miss than hit in 2025 but back on a good mark as a result and a record of two wins and two seconds from his five outings over this C&D means a revival can't be ruled out back from four months off.

13/2

6

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

High Opinion

9st 6lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Acts on soft; three wins in summer 2024, the first over C&D; two creditable minor honours this May/July but opposable on what he's done since.

14/1

7th
7 (11)
Prospect

5/1

Form: 3525-5

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
3-34 but acts on any ground and was a close fifth of nine at Newcastle (6f, AW) last month on his return from 150 days off; has dropped to a fair mark and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

7th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:38 Thirsk

Prospect

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Hasn't run badly the last twice (weakened over 6f here last time) and returning to 5f looks in his favour; handicapped to go well.

6/1

6th

7

(7)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Prospect

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Back to form when third at Redcar 16 days ago (5f, soft; second run in blinkers); neither the longer trip or faster ground will be a problem and the new visor could give him a lift.

6/1

Form: 6-6564 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Course winner (5.7f, good) but very hard to win with (2-40 on turf) despite plummeting in the weights; cheekpieces the headgear of choice this time, but far from convincing; has run well on good to soft, unraced on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Stone Of Destiny

9st 8lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

held up in rear, headway against near rail over 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, just did enough

9/1

1st

3

(1)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Stone Of Destiny

9st 8lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Only one win since landing the 2022 Portland; reached the frame twice over C&D around the turn of the year but only 4l fifth last time.

9/1

25/1

Form: 4680-7 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Veteran whose nine wins have all come when returned to the track after 25 days off or less, so his recent return from six months off at Wolverhampton was probably needed (0-15 on the AW in any case); acts on any ground and 6lb below his last winning mark, so worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(11)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Van Gerwen

8st 8lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Paul Midgley

Made all at Pontefract (5f) in August and he's 6lb lower now back on AW; however, this 10yo has failed to fire on grass on his last three outings and he's 0-15 on AW.

20/1

9th

11

(11)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Van Gerwen

8st 8lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Paul Midgley

Made all at Pontefract (5f) in August and he's 6lb lower now back on AW; however, this 10yo has failed to fire on grass on his last three outings and he's 0-15 on AW.

20/1

10/1

Form: 11640- D

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground and just 1lb higher than when successful at Catterick (5f, heavy) last September, but he may just need this after 158 days off; one of four from the stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(5)

19th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Redcar

Good Luck Fox

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Acts on any ground; inconsistent this term but has become well treated; most recent win came off 11lb higher last September and holds a good chance if turning up in decent form.

16/1

5th

5

(7)

21st Aug 2023

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Good Luck Fox

9st 7lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Paul Midgley

in rear on outer

12/1

8th

8

(9)

5th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Thirsk

Good Luck Fox

9st 3lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Paul Midgley

prominent against near rail

14/1

Form: 55-730 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(8)

8th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Ballyare

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lucinda Russell

One-time useful sprinter but his powers are on the wane; showed he could still cut it at this level when a close fourth over C&D last month but he'll need the pace to collapse if he's to end his barren spell.

8/1

7th

2

(8)

8th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Ballyare

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lucinda Russell

One-time useful sprinter but his powers are on the wane; showed he could still cut it at this level when a close fourth over C&D last month but he'll need the pace to collapse if he's to end his barren spell.

8/1

5th

7

(1)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ballyare

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Lucinda Russell

midfield

15/2

Non-runners

Ballyare

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £147.20
Straight Forecast £139.29
Tricast £986.04
Trifecta £1193.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Prospect

SPOTLIGHT:

Burj Malinka

Telegraph:

Good Luck Fox

RP Ratings:

Stone Of Destiny

D Express:

Little Muddy

POSTDATA:

Ballyare

Daily Record:

Burj Malinka

The Times:

Prospect

The Star:

Prospect

The Sun:

Good Luck Fox

Daily Mirror:

Stone Of Destiny