October 28 / 16.58 Doncaster

16.58

Heavy

Scott Dobson Memorial Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5652.72
  • 0m 7f 6y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Scott Dobson Memorial Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.20
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 148645 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy ground; has done well to pick up minor prize-money a couple of times recently, having blown the start both times; could be dangerous granted a cleaner break but comes with risk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(8)

18th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

15:50 Chepstow

Look Back Smiling

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Neil Mulholland

Has done his winning at trips between 6f and 1m; losing run goes back to March 2024 but, following a spell in the doldrums for previous yard and this one, he's been back in better form of late, doing some good late work on the AW at Kempton (1m) and Wolverhampton (about 1m1f); can be involved with Tom Marquand up for the first time

11/4

7th

10

(9)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Look Back Smiling

9st 4lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Neil Mulholland

Better with each of his three runs for this yard and wasn't beaten far at Kempton a fortnight ago, despite hanging right; stays this far and is quite happy on Tapeta, so he's one to consider.

6/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 522832 BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Success wouldn't be out of turn for this 3yo filly, who has been placed in five of her seven outings, close second at Yarmouth (7f, soft) most recently; bred to take well to this scenario, being half-sister to useful stablemate Astral Beau who readily won this year's Doncaster Mile on heavy ground; may be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(2)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newmarket

Astral Spirit

10st 1lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Consistent maiden in her first season last year; made all at Wetherby (1m, soft; off 4lb lower) on reappearance, showing improvement; may well build on that win and have a productive 2024 campaign; shortlisted.

15/2

9th

4

(2)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newmarket

Astral Spirit

10st 1lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Consistent maiden in her first season last year; made all at Wetherby (1m, soft; off 4lb lower) on reappearance, showing improvement; may well build on that win and have a productive 2024 campaign; shortlisted.

15/2

1st

10

(15)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Astral Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Consistent maiden in her first season last year, solid second off this mark at Doncaster (7f, heavy) on final outing; threatening to win a race of this nature and is one for the shortlist on reappearance.

13/2

9/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 523714 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
In-form 3yo who opened his account at Catterick (7f, soft) two starts ago, then ran creditably at Chester (7.5f, heavy) latest; upped further in grade but receives weight all round; could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:13 Ripon

Mister Sox

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

A four-time scorer (including twice over C&D) in 2025; back on track with fifth of 20 over C&D 17 days ago when first home in his group; must enter calculations off the same mark in a change of headgear.

5/1

5th

14

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Mister Sox

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Two C&D wins last year and he is now 5lb lower than for the second of them; needs to bounce back from some modest efforts but that's quite possible under these conditions.

16/1

5th

7

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Pontefract

Mister Sox

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

C&D winner; all wins on good or slower but acts on fast ground; 1l second from this mark at Thirsk last month but needs to shrug off two lesser efforts.

9/1

Form: 17-777

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Triple 6f winner as a 2yo; not in anything like the same form this season and still needs to prove she's trained on; step up to 7f presents an additional question mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

31st May 2024

Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:40 Carlisle

Shandy Star

9st 11lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Has dropped a long way in the weights and is 5lb lower than when runner-up in a big-field handicap at Newmarket (7f, heavy) last November; needs to better her three efforts since returning in March, though.

16/1

6th

3

(11)

6th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:40 Beverley

Shandy Star

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Three wins, the latest over 6f at Pontefract in October 2022 (good to soft); good run when second over 7f at Newmarket in November (7f, heavy) but disappointing since.

25/1

6th

3

(11)

6th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:40 Beverley

Shandy Star

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Three wins, the latest over 6f at Pontefract in October 2022 (good to soft); good run when second over 7f at Newmarket in November (7f, heavy) but disappointing since.

25/1

Form: 356231 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Beat nine rivals at Pontefract (6f, good to soft) this month, recording his first win since joining this yard; still on a workable mark despite going back up 4lb; effective at 7f and acts on heavy; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Beauty Choice

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Winless since 2024 and winless in sprints since 2023; said to have hung left when well beaten on his return to turf seven weeks ago and only holds outside claims.

33/1

13th

14

(14)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

14:55 Doncaster

Beauty Choice

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Hindered by traffic issues last time (AW); the 9yo hasn't won since 2024 but is nicely weighted, especially if Lewis Chalkley's 7lb claim is taken into account.

16/1

4th

4

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Beauty Choice

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went without a win in 2025 but often ran well; another serviceable effort when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton in January; others appeal more for win purposes.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 130184 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent results for current stable but the return to Doncaster looks a plus, having won over C&D (good) in August; now 5lb higher in a better grade and faces very different ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(11)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:09 Newmarket (July)

Archduke Ferdinand

9st 11lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Went close over C&D last week in a race he won two years earlier; now 3lb higher and they claimed 5lb last time, so may need more.

13/2

2nd

3

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Archduke Ferdinand

9st 11lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Seb Spencer

He was 4lb lower when beating Strike to take this race in 2024; could only finish fifth last year but he took advantage of a reduced mark to score at Redcar (6f, good to firm; First Folio fourth) 17 days ago; back up 5lb but he should be thereabouts.

11/2

1st

7

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

14:05 Redcar

Archduke Ferdinand

9st 3lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Seb Spencer

Conditions to suit and he ran his best race of the year when third over C&D in May; beaten twice since but he is being given a chance by the handicapper.

13/2

11/2

Form: 362041 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Came off strong pace to win division two of 6f handicap at Pontefract 19 days ago (Beauty Choice won the first division); like that rival he's effective over 7f and acts on heavy; possibilities despite 4lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(9)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Sam England

Last eight starts in classifieds and he didn't always get the breaks when third over C&D 12 days ago; that was one of his better recent efforts and he's firmly in calculations.

13/2

3rd

6

(5)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Regressive 8yo; running respectably at this level in 2026 but 2l behind Woodrafff at Newcastle last week; never threatened over 1m2f on Thursday; easy enough to look elsewhere.

8/1

6th

10

(4)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:28 Newcastle (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Spent most of a long career racing at shy of 1m and didn't look to see it out in one try over this far (C&D); not as good now and can miss the break and/or pull hard, so comes with risks attached.

8/1

12/1

Form: 418635 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent since winning at Leicester (off this mark) in May; has some good form at Doncaster, including close third in this contest (on heavy ground) 12 months ago, and holds place claims if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Broken Spear

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

His mark continues to fall and he has lots of good form on soft and heavy ground; won at Newcastle (7f, AW) in March but this 9yo has struggled more recently and he needs to turn things around.

25/1

5

(9)

15th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Thirsk

Broken Spear

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Won narrowly off his lower AW mark in March; returned from layoff with down-the-field AW run this month but combination of refitted cheekpieces and heavy rain could prompt a more dynanic performance.

14/1

13

(2)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Broken Spear

9st 2lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Won by a head at Newcastle (7f, AW) in March but he's been off since finishing down the field over C&D behind Saisons d'Or in May; best watched.

25/1

Form: 074148

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Form dipped on AW last week and record stands at just 1-14; however, the success came at Nottingham (6f) three starts ago on sole heavy-ground attempt; interesting back on forecast similar surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Leicester

Ray Vonn

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: B F Brookhouse

Won twice last year but has lost his way badly of late and well behind Holbache on this track most recently.

20/1

9th

4

(1)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Leicester

Ray Vonn

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: B F Brookhouse

Won two in a row over 6f last May and July (good and good to soft) but he's had just three inconclusive runs this year, again slowly away but finding little and eased at Newmarket 25 days ago; has something to prove.

33/1

8th

1

(6)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newmarket (July)

Ray Vonn

10st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: B F Brookhouse

Won off a 2lb higher mark at York last summer (6f) but little to shout about since then and can only be watched for now.

14/1

10th
5 (5)
Deputy

7/1

Form: 9-5270 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 212 over C&D, all on soft/heavy ground, the win gained off only 1lb lower in this race last year (runner-up in 2021); best effort this term when second here in May; respected back in this scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(2)

9th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

Deputy

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Signed off 2024 with 6f Redcar victory but he's yet to fire this season, cheekpieces tried when last of eight in 6f Redcar handicap in July; others appeal more.

12/1

1

(3)

20th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:45 Redcar

Deputy

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner (soft) off 2lb higher last October; he's made no impact in three runs this year but drops in class and now wears cheekpieces for the first time; good apprentice booked and a better showing is expected, especially if significant rain arrives.

10/1

8th

7

(5)

5th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Carlisle

Deputy

10st 2lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Michael Dods

Won a 6f handicap on soft ground at Redcar last October; just 1lb higher today but neither run last month suggested he was ready to strike.

20/1

Non-runners

Red Maids

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.20
Straight Forecast £21.34
Tricast £78.96
Trifecta £145.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Astral Spirit

The Guardian:

Beauty Choice

TOPSPEED:

Broken Spear

POSTDATA:

Ray Vonn

Telegraph:

Mister Sox

Daily Mail:

Deputy

RP RATINGS:

Astral Spirit

The Times:

Astral Spirit

The Star:

Astral Spirit

Daily Mirror:

Beauty Choice

Daily Record:

Beauty Choice

D Express:

Broken Spear

The Sun:

Broken Spear