March 04 / 16.25 Doncaster

16.25

Good

Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4330.42
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: -12619 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
2-5 over hurdles, the latter win gained off 5lb lower over C&D (good) in January; needs to bounce back from a lesser effort at Taunton last month but still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

11th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

16:00 Huntingdon

Give Me A Cuddle

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Yet to make any further progress since winning at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in January but gave very good account before fading into fifth at Kempton (2m5f, good; first-time tongue-tie) ten days ago and has each-way claims at least if in similar form here.

10/1

5th

9

1st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Kempton

Give Me A Cuddle

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

disputed lead, prominent after 2nd

33/1

12th

3

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:50 Kelso

Give Me A Cuddle

11st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

took keen hold, prominent

16/1

Form: 1-6235

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Not quite at best when fifth at regular haunt Carlisle last month but was placed on consecutive appearances at end of last year (2m1f/2m2f) and is very versatile regarding ground; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

15:35 Haydock

Malpas

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won twice at Carlisle last March and running well in defeat towards the end of last year; however, he hasn't been at the top of his game the last twice and needs something extra here.

12/1

2

4th Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

16:25 Doncaster

Malpas

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Not quite at best when fifth at regular haunt Carlisle last month but was placed on consecutive appearances at end of last year (2m1f/2m2f) and is very versatile regarding ground; each-way claims at least.

7/1

5th

4

6th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Carlisle

Malpas

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has form figures of 13112 over C&D, head second to Applaus in November most recently; creditable third at Market Rasen on Boxing Day; third of five in this contest last year; holds very solid claims back here and should go well again.

9/2

Form: -11753

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Triple 2m hurdle winner last year; failed fully to convince stamina-wise when third over C&D (good) in January but that was still a pretty good effort and a subsequent 2lb drop helps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

19th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Fringill Dike

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

3-3 in these blinkers and over fences, the wins coming over 1m7f/2m on good/good to soft; faces tougher opposition here and soft/heavy ground would be a worry, but he's clearly thriving and has to be respected.

6/1

1st

2

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:05 Worcester

Fringill Dike

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Unbeaten in two chases (in blinkers) and last month's Uttoxeter success proved he can win away from Hexham; up another 7lb but looks worth it and every reason to expect him to make another bold bid from the front.

10/11

1st

2

30th Aug 2023

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

17:50 Uttoxeter

Fringill Dike

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

jumped right throughout, made all, ridden after 2 out, kept on well

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: P5524U BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles but ended 2022 with two good efforts (both over 2m) and looked poised to make his challenge before unseating rider at third-last flight over C&D (good; race in which Fringill Dike was third) in January; no surprise if he makes his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

25th Nov 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:13 Huntingdon

Galahad Threepwood

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Just held on to open hurdling account at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in March but ended last season with a lesser effort and was well beaten when back in action this month; others have much less to prove.

16/1

7th

6

12th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 3

14:50 Sandown

Galahad Threepwood

11st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Narrow winner at Doncaster last March off 4lb higher (2m3f, good) but he fell heavily mid-race next time and was below par on final run; has a Flat background and questionable how much improvement he has in him.

12/1

Form: 383921 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Seemingly aided by cheekpieces this year and drew clear pretty comfortably to open hurdling account at Catterick (2m3f, good) last month; 9lb higher here but has plenty of scope for further progress; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

23rd Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

14:15 Market Rasen

Prairie Wolf

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Sue Smith

His best hurdle form has come over this sort of trip and he was in good heart in that sphere last month (perhaps stretched by 3m at Aintree last time); his pedigree provides optimism regarding chasing and he's a leading player if transferring his hurdle form to fences at the first attempt.

5/1

3rd

5

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:50 Aintree

Prairie Wolf

11st 4lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sue Smith

Best efforts on good/good to soft but he went close on heavy ground in January; scored at Catterick in February and runner-up on three of his four starts since; those good runs were at up to 2m5f and this is his second attempt at 3m, following a heavy defeat at Ayr on final start last term, but reappearance second at Warwick suggests it is well worth another go.

10/1

Form: 3-3186 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at fifth attempt, in first-time cheekpieces over C&D (good) in November, but well below that form on both starts this year (headgear left off last time, as today) and now has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

8th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:15 Musselburgh

Okavango Delta

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Rose Dobbin

Chase debut; below par over hurdles on final three runs last season but he returns having had wind surgery and on a mark 2lb lower than when winning at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last November; trainer's horses often go well fresh and can make better chasers than hurdlers; not ruled out.

9/1

8th

7

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:00 Perth

Okavango Delta

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Soundly beaten on his last three starts but he won at Doncaster last November in first-time cheekpieces, so he may get a boost from a visor going on; not written off.

14/1

7

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:50 Kelso

Okavango Delta

11st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Soundly beaten on his last three starts but he won at Doncaster last November in first-time cheekpieces, so he may get a boost from a visor going on today; not written off.

20/1

Form: 5317-9 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer at up to 1m6f; won maiden hurdle here (2m, good) just over a year ago but soundly beaten in both handicap hurdles; tries a new trip and sports refitted cheekpieces here; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(3)

17th Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Thunder Ahead

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

14/1

7th

4

(3)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

13:15 Haydock

Thunder Ahead

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Not at his best on the Flat and over hurdles this year but didn't run badly when fourth of eight at Chelmsford (1m6f, AW) last month and, having raced freely, he could benefit from this drop back in distance; on a competitive mark and not ruled out.

10/1

4th

1

(7)

27th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

22:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Thunder Ahead

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Alan King

led

25/1

Form: 33P078

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Irish-raider; from a much respected stable but has modest 1-20 strike-rate over hurdles and was unable to land a telling blow when midfield at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in January; needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

3rd Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:20 Sedgefield

Bentham

10st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sara Ender

took keen hold, led narrowly

16/1

5th

5

26th Aug 2023

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

17:06 Cartmel

Bentham

11st 7lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Sara Ender

Ex-Gavin Cromwell; fair efforts in cheekpieces behind Ambassador at Uttoxeter on last two starts; more needed.

12/1

4th

4

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:45 Uttoxeter

Bentham

11st 8lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Sara Ender

led early, headed and prominent 2nd

14/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Prairie Wolf

The Guardian:

Fringill Dike

WEST COUNTRY:

Galahad Threepwood

TOPSPEED:

Malpas

The Times:

Okavango Delta

RP Ratings:

Prairie Wolf

Telegraph:

Prairie Wolf

Daily Mail:

Prairie Wolf

D Express:

Prairie Wolf

The Star:

Prairie Wolf

Daily Record:

Prairie Wolf

Daily Mirror:

Fringill Dike

POSTDATA:

Malpas