July 22 / 20.15 Doncaster

20.15

Soft

Hird Group Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Hird Group Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.05
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -33501 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Free-going mare who overcame stall 12 on soft at Chester last week off 2lb lower (7f; dropped in; race fell her way); had plenty of chances over 1m and will need to settle better from another wide stall.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:40 Leicester

Lockdown Lass

8st 13lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Gary Hanmer

Showed some ability remained when fifth at Chester in June (7.6f, good) but well held Flat and hurdles since; tailed off in the faces of a stiff task at Chester on Saturday.

16/1

9

(6)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:05 Chester

Lockdown Lass

9st 2lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Gary Hanmer

Modest mare who was tailed off on her hurdling debut last month and this is an impossible task back on the Flat.

200/1

12

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

16:45 Stratford

Lockdown Lass

10st 11lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Four-time winner on the Flat but not since September 2023 and she has a lowly mark nowadays; best watched on hurdling debut.

100/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6-9911

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Yard among the winners and this one is on the upgrade, showing 1m and soft ground fine when winning with a bit in hand last weekend (first pair clear); open to improvement and every chance of the hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Powerful Response

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoffrey Harker

Back to winning ways with a front-running C&D success 23 days ago (visored first time); up 2lb but should give it another good go.

5/1

1st

5

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Powerful Response

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Two soft-ground turf wins, including one for this yard, but he acts on better ground and made the most of a good draw when close third of 15 at Nottingham (8.5f, good; Token Love seventh) in cheekpieces three weeks ago; that is just about the best recent form on offer and he's nicely berthed again; visor goes on and he's respected.

5/2

3rd

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Powerful Response

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

First win was on AW but last two have come on turf (8.3f/1m2f, soft); had some close calls on Tapeta during the winter and he was a creditable fourth in big field at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) 11 days ago; could be in the mix again but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -60754 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Best effort in over a year last time but his wins have come on Tapeta and he boasts a patchy record on good to soft/soft ground; is drawn to attack but needs more again in a competitive handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(12)

28th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

War Defender

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Made all for first turf win 12 days ago (1m); dual Fibresand winner on this track but for whatever reason he hasn't run up to his best in three C&D starts, most recently off this mark in June.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

16th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

15:42 Musselburgh

War Defender

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

took keen hold, made all, going easily 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden 1f out, faced challenge final 110yds, all out

13/8

25/1

Form: 686

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Yard in good nick and her half-brother Rogue Rocket won on his handicap debut; that's where the positives end, though, as she's shown little in three runs to date; watch the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(5)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Medina Gold

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Amy Murphy

in touch with leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

16/1

4th

8

(1)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Bath

Medina Gold

9st 0lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Amy Murphy

Fared okay, without necessarily showing improvement, when fourth on handicap debut at Doncaster (1m, soft) in July; ran poorly in first-time cheekpieces at Yarmouth (1m2f) subsequently; has eased in the weights and undergone wind surgery since; a tongue-tie is added; let the market offer a guide.

16/1

12th

12

(2)

10th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 6

15:50 Yarmouth

Medina Gold

9st 2lb

J: Stefano Cherchi

T: Amy Murphy

took keen hold, disputed lead

20/1

Form: 323642 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Ran well here on soft in the spring and is more consistent than most at this level; no obvious reason he won't go well again although little room for error off this mark (nudged up another 2lb for latest second).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Kodebreaker

9st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Conditions no problem and he has run creditably on his last two visits here, the latest last week; shouldn't be too far away.

10/1

7

(4)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Kodebreaker

9st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Conditions no problem and he has run creditably on his last two visits here, the latest last week; shouldn't be too far away.

10/1

6th

9

(11)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Kodebreaker

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Showed he can be competitive from his reduced mark when a close fourth over C&D last month and bit better than the result (hampered towards finish) when sixth of 14 at Yarmouth since; on the shortlist.

11/2

Form: 9-6014 CD BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Had winners behind when going in off a 2lb lower mark over C&D in May; again pulled hard in a first-time hood over 1m2f last time and needs to settle better, minus the headear, on this softer ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:30 Uttoxeter

Zafaan

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charlie Clover

Dual Flat winner (1m/1m2f); placed in five of his seven races over hurdles, latest over C&D in October (good); ran with hood and cheekpieces that day but has neither this time; back after 180-day break; interesting with Sean Bowen booked.

6/1

2

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

Zafaan

11st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Charlie Clover

Dual Flat winner who was placed in his first two handicap hurdles, latterly when third at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) last month; has hood/cheekpieces refitted (worn together for first time) here; major player; also declared for 3.15 Fakenham.

11/4

Form: -06585

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
String of poor efforts this year, all over further (twice here on soft ground), and has come around a stone down the weights; Back From Dubai is his yard's best chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(2)

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:15 Doncaster

Maffeo Barberini

9st 6lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

towards rear, midfield halfway, ridden 3f out, weakened from over 2f out

25/1

5th

8

(5)

8th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:07 Leicester

Maffeo Barberini

9st 4lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

Won a course claimer (1m, good to firm) last August but little to shout about since returning to handicaps.

14/1

4

(11)

1st Jul 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:40 Lingfield (AW)

Maffeo Barberini

9st 13lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Kevin Frost

Form: 730334

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish gelding whose wins have come on AW and who's been on the downgrade in recent times; well held in one previous try on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(9)

22nd May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mudlahhim

8st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Scott Dixon

9yo who is without a win since July 2023 and he was never involved following a slow start over C&D ten days ago; others have stronger claims.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 352841 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
C&D winner this time last year who bounced back to form on rain-softened ground at Beverley last time; that's been boosted by the second and third winning since and he's shortlisted off a 5lb higher mark (3lb offset by Billy Loughnane's claim).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:04 Leicester

Back From Dubai

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

9yo who returned to form when third at Southwell (1m, AW) last month and built on it to win at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) nine days ago; he should be fine on today's better ground and is respected up just 3lb.

9/2

1st

10

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:15 Doncaster

Back From Dubai

9st 3lb

J: George Wood

T: Roy Bowring

Seven of his nine wins have been on AW but he's well handicapped on some runner-up efforts on turf last season; has mixed record since his last success 12 months ago but he was placed at Southwell (1m) last time and has claims if he can build on that.

16/1

3rd

7

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Back From Dubai

9st 4lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Roy Bowring

Has won five times here; a line can be put through his most recent C&D run and he didn't get any peace out in front at Nottingham 11 days ago (weakened into eighth of ten); it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him bounce back (there is possible competition for the lead but no other out-and-out front-runners).

10/1

33/1

Form: 547697

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Longstanding maiden who's done most racing over further; achieved little in two runs on soft ground and only holds outside claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(1)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

15:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Big Dutchie

9st 3lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Steph Hollinshead

25-race maiden who has shown no worthwhile form in four starts since joining this trainer; new headgear goes on.

50/1

7th

8

(7)

30th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Big Dutchie

8st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Steph Hollinshead

pressed leader, prominent after 2f

66/1

21

27th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Big Dutchie

8st 13lb

T: Steph Hollinshead

10/1

Form: 00-143 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Wins have come on fast surfaces, for the blinkers first going on, then coming off again (on comeback); nothing in her pedigree to suggest soft ground will be optimal and this is deeper than the Yarmouth handicaps she's been contesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

11th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

14:20 Brighton

Free Step

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Scored at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) on her seasonal/stable debut in May but she's not gone on from that and was fifth of nine behind Uncle Dick over C&D last time; back on last winning mark now but she needs to find more.

6/1

5th

1

(6)

21st Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:25 Brighton

Free Step

10st 4lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

midfield, headway 2f out, ridden and went third over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

15/2

Form: -63341 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Found his level this year and finally got off the mark at Yarmouth last time (second-time cheekpieces, retained) off 5lb lower; came well clear with a subsequent winner that day and ran well on soft ground in Ireland, so has every chance again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Handel

9st 9lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

midfield, took keen hold and prominent after 4f, race voided

14/1

7

(6)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Handel

9st 9lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

midfield, took keen hold and prominent after 4f, race voided

14/1

Non-runners

Gypsy Whisper

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.90
Straight Forecast £19.19
Tricast £104.80
Trifecta £150.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Powerful Response

The Guardian:

Kodebreaker

The Times:

Back From Dubai

POSTDATA:

Lockdown Lass

NEWMARKET:

Free Step

Daily Mail:

Gypsy Whisper

RP RATINGS:

Powerful Response

Daily Record:

Powerful Response

Daily Mirror:

Kodebreaker

The Sun:

Kodebreaker

The Star:

Lockdown Lass

Telegraph:

Back From Dubai

D Express:

Back From Dubai