June 28 / 14.45 Doncaster

14.45

Good To Firm

Marie Mills Takepayments Handicap

  • Prize money: £3768.48
  • 0m 6f 2y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Marie Mills Takepayments Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 459-33

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
0-8 and headstrong, but he was a fair third on reappearance over C&D (good to soft) last month and built on that with close third at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; a first win may well be imminent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

18:38 Doncaster

Novello Lad

9st 1lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Paul Midgley

Started favourite on his first nine starts last year, winning two of them, both off lower marks; hit traffic over an inadequate 5f on his comeback a few weeks ago, which will ensure he's popular once again for a yard also responsible for Cairdeas.

4/1

3rd

2

(6)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Beverley

Novello Lad

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

All best form at 6f on good or quicker ground; easily excused a modest farewell to 2025 on account of soft going but he does have something to prove in his first-ever 5f run.

20/1

72

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Novello Lad

9st 1lb

T: Paul Midgley

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 32-241 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Two nursery wins last autumn (soft/good to soft) and back on the scoresheet at Catterick (6f, soft) last month; however, needs to prove she can do it on better ground (hasn't shone previously on good/good to firm).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

(5)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

14:30 Nottingham

Wichahpi

9st 5lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Chased home Annie Edson Taylor at Hamilton last month but two lesser efforts have followed; others hold more obvious claims.

12/1

9

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:38 Leicester

Wichahpi

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Not had a lot of luck of late, latterly when anticipating the start and slowly away at Chester ten days ago; has a C&D autumn win to her name and goes on the shortlist for a yard in decent nick.

8/1

7

(6)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Wichahpi

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Bryan Smart

Close to her last winning mark (6f, Carlisle) and has knocked at the door at Beverley (5f, soft; third) and Hamilton (6f, good to soft; runner-up) on her last two starts; that latest effort was given a boost with Gizelles Izzy (third) winning at Carlisle on Tuesday; one of the likeliest candidates.

9/2

9/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 2-6550

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
11-race maiden who is yet to finish better than fifth across his four starts this year, but he's been finding trouble in running and may be capable off his current mark if getting the breaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

15:40 Redcar

Sergeant Mayer

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Best known as a 5f performer but has won over 6f; always behind on last month's reappearance outing and finished last of six after racing too freely in refitted cheekpieces a fortnight later (also 5f); on good mark but needs to get his season up and running.

16/1

6th

8

(4)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Sergeant Mayer

9st 2lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Off six months and went without his usual cheekpieces when 11th over C&D two weeks ago; he scored twice at Ripon (5f) last May so no surprise to see him take a step forward here in refitted headgear.

14/1

11th

2

(10)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

17:35 Pontefract

Sergeant Mayer

9st 8lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Came to hand early last year and he returns from a 168-day break off a mark just 1lb higher than for his Ripon win 11 months ago; the absence of cheekpieces tempers enthusiasm this time.

10/1

Form: 45-782

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
0-6 but she returned to form in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) when runner-up at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) this month; leading claims if backing up that performance with another good one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(11)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

High Violet

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: David Loughnane

Things didn't go her way over 7f at Newcastle last time but she remains 4lb above the mark she defied over this trip at Leicester in June; others are more obvious.

16/1

9th

2

(10)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

High Violet

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Loughnane

Didn't convince with her stamina in one attempt over this trip in April; had been in good form this summer prior to a blip at Yarmouth latest; others may have greater stamina reserves.

8/1

5th

6

(2)

18th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

14:00 Yarmouth

High Violet

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

Hold-up filly who won at Leicester in July and ran to a similar level when a close fourth at Newmarket last time (despite saddle slipping); one to consider.

4/1

12/1

Form: 03-130 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Won on stable debut at Newcastle (6f, AW) last month and fair third at Ripon (6f, soft) next time; has also shown promise on fast ground; flopped at Nottingham (6f, good) a fortnight ago but the first-time tongue-tie may help and he's not ruled out in view of his previous form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(7)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

15:00 Carlisle

Raft Up

9st 6lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

In fine form at 6f on the AW of late, winning at Southwell and Newcastle; has a better strike-rate on sand than turf (1-17) but he was running to a similar level on grass as AW in 2025 and it may be unwise to presume he's a one-surface wonder; respected.

3/1

1st

5

(8)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Raft Up

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Good efforts in all three 6f runs this year, placed behind the prolific Yorkshire Glory twice and readily seeing off five rivals at Southwell eight days ago; 1lb well in under a penalty; should go well.

5/1

Form: 66-797

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Kept on when seventh of ten at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) last time and today's extra yardage could be a plus, but this seven-race maiden is yet to threaten and others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(10)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Chillout Charlie

8st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

0-10 but he's dropped some way in the weights and was a creditable third here (7f) last Tuesday; kept on well in that race and has each-way claims again on this step up to 1m.

8/1

3rd

12

(12)

24th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Chillout Charlie

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

More realistically treated now than when first handicapping last October but he hasn't been getting near enough to make a case, with stamina for 7f also to prove.

20/1

5th

5

(9)

30th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Thirsk

Chillout Charlie

9st 6lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Nigel Tinkler

Unplaced in eight starts and needs to improve on what we've seen to get seriously involved, even at this level.

14/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 369-66

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Her form went the wrong way after she made a winning debut last April and she's finished only sixth on both outings this year; needs something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(11)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

15:40 Redcar

Taygar

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Dods

Ended last season with some below-par efforts but built upon satisfactory reappearance run when runner-up at Ayr (6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and remains 6lb lower than when winning over that C&D last summer.

5/1

2nd

2

(2)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Taygar

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Record is 4-28; has form figures of 113 at Ayr, the wins gained off current mark and 6lb higher; interesting returned to this course with Thirsk reappearance (faded late in big field) under her belt.

9/2

8th

14

(16)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Taygar

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

On a good mark on last summer's best; she is returning from six months off and she has been unplaced on her reappearance in the last two seasons.

16/1

14/1

Form: 29-457

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Beverley novice last September and he's dropping down the weights; however, he hasn't really threatened this year in his three handicaps and needs a bigger performance today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(6)

31st Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Sandown

Ottoman Force

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Darryll Holland

Runner-up in 5f novice in September but has become disappointing this season and was well beaten when upped to 1m on Polytrack a week ago; has too much to prove.

33/1

7th

5

(9)

24th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:20 Lingfield (AW)

Ottoman Force

9st 7lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Darryll Holland

Runner-up in Beverley novice last September and he's dropping down the weights after failing to make much impact this season; his sole AW run (final 2yo start) was worse; some recent headgear but none today and he is upped in trip.

25/1

33/1

Form: 38-4

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Close third on debut and sole run for Andrew Balding at Southwell (7f, AW) last October; has had wind surgery prior to this first handicap and she wears a first-time tongue-tie, but she's been well beaten the last twice (6f/7f, AW) and needs to raise her game in a big way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(7)

15th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:40 Southwell (AW)

Stars Away

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Modest form since C&D debut, latterly in a variety of aids, but at least she slots into this grade for the first time; still hard to make case until showing more.

33/1

10th

10

(7)

15th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:40 Southwell (AW)

Stars Away

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Modest form since C&D debut, latterly in a variety of aids, but at least she slots into this grade for the first time; still hard to make case until showing more.

33/1

9th

4

(10)

4th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Stars Away

9st 6lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

0-6 overall and well held all starts in 2024; needs to be transformed by a break and a different combination of headgear.

33/1

14/1

Form: 40-50

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Down the field when 50-1 for last month's handicap debut at Haydock; however, that was on soft ground and he'd shown some promise previously; his dam was a Group 2 winner and this lightly-raced sort is not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

15:12 Newcastle (AW)

Bandello

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Jennie Candlish

Exposed 21-race maiden; went close in 7f handicap at Wolverhampton in November but raced freely and dropped away over that C&D last month; down in grade but he will need to settle better back up in trip.

8/1

5th

5

(6)

27th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bandello

9st 3lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

0-20 but was running well when last seen in November and has a solid record at this track; thereabouts.

100/30

4th

6

(6)

20th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bandello

9st 2lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

18-race maiden but placed in four of his last six starts (all in classified events from 6f-9.5f); experienced apprentice booked and he's more appealing than many.

7/1

Form: 453 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Made debut in April and produced reasonable efforts last month when fifth at Redcar (7f, soft) then third at Catterick (6f, good to soft); goes handicapping off a fair mark and pedigree provides optimism she'll improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(13)

1st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:05 Newcastle (AW)

Royal Justice

9st 9lb

J: Jay Mackay

T: Scott Dixon

13-race maiden who drops to this level for the first time, but recent efforts have been moderate and she still has stamina to prove.

66/1

12

(10)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Royal Justice

9st 0lb

J: Jay Mackay

T: Scott Dixon

12-race maiden who appears to be going nowhere at the minute; opposable.

50/1

10

(10)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:58 Lingfield (AW)

Royal Justice

10st 7lb

J: Mr Frederick Tett

T: Scott Dixon

11-race maiden who has form figures of 70066 for new yard this year and she's been beaten around 9l in last two runs; has stamina to prove now upped to this trip and is not hard to look elsewhere; hood added.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.30
Straight Forecast £11.67
Tricast £77.63
Trifecta £79.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

High Violet

RP RATINGS:

Novello Lad

NEWMARKET:

Ottoman Force

The Guardian:

Wichahpi

D Express:

Bandello

Daily Mail:

Royal Justice

The Times:

Taygar

Telegraph:

High Violet

The Star:

High Violet

Daily Record:

High Violet

POSTDATA:

Novello Lad

Daily Mirror:

Novello Lad

The Sun:

Novello Lad