April 02 / 17.40 Doncaster

17.40

Soft

Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4291.88
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 02094- D

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
All three wins have come on a soft surface and she's now 8lb lower than for the latest at Leicester (5f, soft) in October 2021; drops into a Class 5 handicap for the first time and respected if ready after 158 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

14th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Ey Up Its Maggie

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Handles most ground and she's gone close in two of her three C&D starts, but neither of her turf starts (on heavy; has handled the surface) this year have matched up, with and without cheekpieces (back on today); reservations for now.

14/1

10th

2

(1)

14th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Ey Up Its Maggie

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Handles most ground and she's gone close in two of her three C&D starts, but neither of her turf starts (on heavy; has handled the surface) this year have matched up, with and without cheekpieces (back on today); reservations for now.

14/1

9th

10

(2)

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:17 Ripon

Ey Up Its Maggie

9st 4lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Five-time turf winner, the latest of them over 5f here last summer off 2lb higher; 6f on heavy ground might just stretch her stamina.

14/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 321-90 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Both wins in 24 starts came last year, at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) and Leicester (5f, good); well beaten in both starts back at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) last month, having been off for 192 days, and needs to turn things around; unraced on ground softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(5)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gustav Graves

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Derek Shaw

Course regular who's going beyond 5f for the first time in almost two years; remains consistent and is on a winning mark but others are preferred over this trip.

10/1

6th

8

(8)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gustav Graves

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Derek Shaw

In-form 8yo, placed at Wolverhampton and Newcastle on his last two starts; goes back up in class but it's difficult to rule out this eight-time course winner who should get a good pace to aim at.

10/1

3rd

1

(7)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Gustav Graves

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Derek Shaw

Eight of his nine wins on the AW have been at Wolverhampton and the other came over this C&D; ran well but was no match for the winner when second of nine at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) nine days ago; claims off his last winning mark.

11/2

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 29006- D

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Below form in his final four runs last season but 4lb lower than when last successful and has winning form on soft ground; off 169 days but has gone well fresh in the past; respected for stable that fields four.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

17

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; not disgraced at Ripon next time; should make another bold bid.

16/1

5th

4

(1)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; there wasn't much separating the first five but he's only 2lb higher here and should give it another good shot.

7/2

1st

2

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:57 Nottingham

Glory Fighter

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Ten-time turf winner, including C&D; close third at Newcastle when last seen in February; one to consider.

9/2

Form: 19320- D

Last run: 188 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won three times over 5f at Hamilton last summer and still 7lb higher than for the most recent, but just 1lb higher than when going close in a big field at Ayr (5f, good) in September; not seen in six months but has gone well fresh in the past and acts on any ground; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(11)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Refuge

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Posted a second-place finish in May but isn't particularly solid on the rest of his 2025 form; further drop in weights takes him to 10lb below last winning mark.

16/1

6

(1)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:58 Catterick

Refuge

10st 7lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Runner-up at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) in May but he has been below his best in five starts since; needs a return to form with the visor back on for the first time since 2021.

7/1

10th

8

(12)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

Refuge

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Four-time C&D winner; runner-up here in May but not in anything like the same form since and needs to stage a revival.

16/1

13/2

Form: 19925- D

Last run: 200 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Both wins came on a sound surface at Beverley (5f) last summer and beaten a nose back there (good) in August, but out of the frame in both starts on soft ground; something to prove after 200 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

13th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:47 Catterick

Sherdil

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Paul Midgley

Won classified events at Newcastle (AW) the last twice; well treated on best handicap form but doesn't have his ideal scenario back on grass, having gained both turf wins at Beverley.

3/1

1st

3

(1)

13th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:47 Catterick

Sherdil

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Paul Midgley

Won classified events at Newcastle (AW) the last twice; well treated on best handicap form but doesn't have his ideal scenario back on grass, having gained both turf wins at Beverley.

3/1

1st

7

(6)

12th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Sherdil

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Paul Midgley

Finally capitalised on his tumble down the weights when sweeping through to win a similar race here three weeks ago; should get a good pace to aim at and more appealing than many kept to this level.

3/1

Form: 34217- BF

Last run: 175 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who got off the mark in a Southwell novice (6f, AW) last August but reportedly finished lame on handicap debut back there in October; unraced on ground softer than good and may be best watched on return from 175 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:40 Bath

Phoenix Beach

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Tapeta specialist but he's hung right before finishing a well-held fifth at Wolverhampton (5f) in his last two starts; continues to edge down the weights but he's 0-13 on turf and has not run in this sphere since last May; others preferred.

11/2

5th

7

(7)

21st Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Phoenix Beach

8st 6lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Four C&D wins (from marks in the 60s); excuses when a closing third over C&D on penultimate start; hung right when three places (over 4l) behind Shalaa Asker subsequently; has won for Kieran O'Neill but needs everything to drop his way.

12/1

5th

7

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Phoenix Beach

9st 0lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Scott Dixon

Not straightforward (hangs right) but these conditions suit him well and he wasn't beaten far into third here two weeks ago; one of two contenders for Scott Dixon.

9/2

7th
9 (9)
Hey Mr

5/1

Form: 84396- D

Last run: 206 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Goes well on slow ground and sole win in 17 starts came in a Nottingham nursery (5f, soft) as 2yo; makes stable debut after seven months off (changed hands for £6,000 in October) and is well worth monitoring in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(5)

25th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:58 Kempton (AW)

Hey Mr

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Alexandra Dunn

dwelt start, towards rear, shaken up and brief headway 2f out, weakened final furlong

16/1

7th

7

(3)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

14:52 Bath

Hey Mr

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

Handles most ground and went close off this mark at Nottingham (5f, soft) in July but he's not hit the same level since including in two runs for this yard; now drops back in trip but he needs to find more.

16/1

5th

4

(5)

4th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

15:12 Nottingham

Hey Mr

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Alexandra Dunn

Handles most ground and both his wins have come at this track (5f); only 1lb higher than for his close second here in July and he made a decent start for this yard when a rallying second of four at Brighton (6f, soft) two weeks ago; now goes back up in grade but he's not ruled out.

10/1

Form: 45373-

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden whose two best efforts came on the AW at Southwell, the latest when close third of nine in November (6f); market may indicate what is expected after five months off but he could probably have done with another furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

12th May 2023

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

20:40 Nottingham

Star Of Aria

9st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

2nd

2

(6)

30th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:35 Wetherby

Star Of Aria

9st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Close third at Southwell in November (6f, AW) in just his second handicap; however, did not show much on soft ground on either start this term.

20/1

11th

13

(7)

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Star Of Aria

8st 13lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Declan Carroll

switched right soon after start, raced near side

12/1

Form: 564-74 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Losing run up to 23 and he returns from 69 days off having undergone wind surgery; all four turf wins have come on good or faster ground, but he has gone close on soft and is now 20lb lower than at this time last year; worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(4)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

18:30 Pontefract

Indian Sounds

8st 10lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Paul Midgley

Clear signs of a return to form in big field at Thirsk last month, finishing third (best of the near-side runners); defied a 7lb higher mark in this contest last year (good to firm) on sole start under Elle-May Croot; respected.

7/2

3rd

9

(18)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Indian Sounds

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

taken down early

33/1

3rd

9

(18)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Indian Sounds

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

taken down early, raced near side

33/1

12/1

Form: 04178- D

Last run: 174 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
All three wins have come from the front, the latest at Redcar (5f, good to firm) last September; handles soft ground as well but she will probably need this after 174 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(8)

11th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:55 Carlisle

Lotus Rose

9st 6lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

slowly away, always behind

15/2

5th

2

(1)

2nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

14:00 Southwell (AW)

Lotus Rose

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

taken down early, led

11/4

4th

11

(5)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

16:40 Chester

Lotus Rose

9st 1lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Expensive to follow this season but well handicapped and made the frame on her previous visit here; unlikely to be far away.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.70
Straight Forecast £21.87
Tricast £150.19
Trifecta £155.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ey Up It's Maggie

TOPSPEED:

Indian Sounds

Telegraph:

Phoenix Beach

Daily Mirror:

Hey Mr

POSTDATA:

Glory Fighter

RP Ratings:

Ey Up It's Maggie

The Times:

Ey Up It's Maggie

D Express:

Ey Up It's Maggie

The Star:

Ey Up It's Maggie

Daily Record:

Indian Sounds