March 24 / 17.25 Doncaster

17.25

Soft

William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

33/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.10
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 95269- D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Defied a much higher mark at Catterick (5f, good to soft) in 2021; however, far from consistent since, latterly on AW; best effort this year came in a lower grade; not a solid option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(6)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:05 Bath

Zargun

8st 10lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Scott Dixon

Ended a losing run with a front-running 5f win at Doncaster in March (soft); in and out since and there are other pace influences in this field.

16/1

7th

9

(5)

26th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell (AW)

Zargun

8st 12lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Scott Dixon

Ended a losing run with a front-running 5f win at Doncaster in March (soft); not beaten far at Catterick when last seen in May but others may have his measure today.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 15257- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on AW, winning twice; something to prove back on turf, having achieved little in two attempts, and chance partly depends on how well he responds to new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:40 Windsor

Maharajas Express

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ian Williams

Runner-up in this race last year and he scored off 1lb lower at Chester (5f, good) last July; never a threat on his reappearance at Lingfield (6f) last month but he pulled hard and this drop back in trip is a positive; usually comes from off the pace and has claims if he gets the breaks.

11/2

4th

1

(3)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

14:45 Lingfield (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Won three times over 5f on AW/turf last year; stays 6f perfectly well and can easily be excused his defeat on heavy ground in September but has fitness to prove after a seven-month break.

5/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 33337- D

Last run: 232 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; two wins in Ireland; 0-10 for current yard but was placed several times last year and starts his 2024 campaign on a workable mark; possibilities provided he returns in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(3)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

13:43 Nottingham

Huddle Up

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jack Jones

towards rear

7/1

6th

7

(3)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

13:43 Nottingham

Huddle Up

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jack Jones

towards rear, outpaced 2f out, kept on final 110yds, never on terms

7/1

5

(5)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:38 Nottingham

Huddle Up

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jack Jones

5f-6f winner when trained in Ireland, including on heavy; placed in all four starts for this trainer but needs to pull out a bit more for a first British success.

4/1

Form: 17573- D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Placed effort at Newcastle (6f, AW) this month sets him up perfectly for the return to turf; finished third off 7lb higher in a division of this contest 12 months ago and looks attractively treated; yet to win away from Hamilton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(7)

20th Jun 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:40 Ripon

Burj Malinka

9st 10lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Adrian Nicholls

led against near rail

11/2

3rd

11

(11)

6th Jun 2024

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

14:55 Hamilton

Burj Malinka

9st 3lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Adrian Nicholls

Extended his run of creditable efforts last time, when he divided Huddle Up and Count d'Orsay at Carlisle; no problems with ground/track/trip and likely to give it his best shot again.

5/1

3rd

6

(9)

30th May 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Carlisle

Burj Malinka

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Back to winning form at Thirsk (6f, heavy) last month and has twice run well since, fourth of nine on ground that would have been quick enough at Beverley (5f) last time; considered under his promising amateur.

7/2

13/2

Form: 60453- D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Close third at Wolverhampton on latest AW start, which tees him up nicely for this return to turf; perhaps ideally suited by a sharper 5f but he finished third off 8lb higher in this race last year (soft) and can't be dismissed.
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

4/1

Form: 65607- D BF

Last run: 142 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
All four wins on slow ground, the most recent off 1lb higher at Nottingham (5f) last May; not in the same form afterwards but a revival looks possible on reappearance; market support would be encouraging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

11th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

18:00 Doncaster

Showalong

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Hard to win with these days but rain won't hurt and he was placed three times off this mark in the spring; bare 5f would be preferable.

10/1

7th

6

(1)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

15:25 Nottingham

Showalong

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Handicapped to win and he's been threatening this spring, most recently finishing third over C&D last month (good ground; blinkered first time); that is solid form for the grade and he should give it another good go.

11/2

3rd

1

(6)

10th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

20:18 Nottingham

Showalong

9st 11lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Tim Easterby

His last win was 12 months ago but that was over C&D and he's finished runner-up at Pontefract and Redcar (both at 5f on soft) in last two starts; on same mark as for both those runs and he's respected with blinkers added.

11/2

20/1

Form: 12487-

Last run: 198 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
In great form over 6f/7f last May/June, winning three times; ended the season on a low note; has something to prove back at the minimum distance on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Danzart

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Stella Barclay

Met trouble in running in a messy C&D handicap two weeks ago; on a dangerous mark if this sets up more favourably.

12/1

3

(6)

25th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Danzart

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stella Barclay

Won off a 2lb higher mark at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) in April before finishing fourth there over 6f next time; however he's been down the field in four starts since (5f-7f); back on AW.

20/1

9

(9)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Danzart

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stella Barclay

Won off this mark at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) in April and fared okay back over 6f there (fourth) next time; however, he has scarcely managed to beat a rival in his last three appearances (5f-7f) which suggests that he'll find life tough, particularly from this wide draw.

40/1

Form: 43789- D

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Went off the boil towards the end of 2023 campaign; won in emphatic style at Nottingham (5f, soft; off 4lb lower) last May and ran creditably over C&D in August; good chance if returning to that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:52 Catterick

Fortunate Star

9st 7lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

C&D winner who also finished third in this last year; has been in good nick since the visor went on, winning a classified at Southwell and Newcastle (February/March) and placed in three handicaps (also 5f, AW) subsequently; can take a grip so today's likely good pace will suit and he gets on well with Conor Whiteley; player.

9/2

3rd

1

(9)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:57 Southwell (AW)

Fortunate Star

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

Won classified events over C&D in February and at Newcastle in March; placed in handicap company on both starts since, latest when a close third of 13 here 13 days; good claims once again.

7/2

3rd

3

(2)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Fortunate Star

9st 7lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

Won classified events over C&D and at Newcastle (penalised) before being brushed aside by Little Mi Mi at Newcastle three weeks ago; a 5lb turnaround in the weights should see things finish closer today.

9/2

Form: 07667- D

Last run: 149 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Both wins on AW; 0-18 on turf and proved inconsistent last season but looks interesting off a greatly reduced mark back at Doncaster, having performed well (achieved peak RPR) in the 2021 Flying Childers on sole start here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

8st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

Four-time AW winner who is 0-29 on turf but he ran well to finish third over C&D (good; 100-30 favourite) three weeks ago; rallied well in that race and he should be in the thick of things again off only 1lb higher.

3/1

3rd

6

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas but the handicapper has been winning the argument since; a 0-28 turf record is enough reason to look elsewhere.

10/1

5th

9

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Papa Dont Preach

9st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas and ran creditably over C&D in February; raced wide from an outside draw back at Wolverhampton last time; that run is best ignored and he can bounce back.

10/1

7/2

Form: 201-

Last run: 221 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced filly who made all at Ffos Las (6f, soft) when last seen eight months ago; that form lacks substance but she's the least exposed contender in this field and may be capable of further progress; bred to be as effective at 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(3)

10th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:35 Lingfield (AW)

Violets Star

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Lee Carter

Won a weak maiden last year (6f, soft) but has offered precious little in three handicaps (5f/6f) and has changed yards; stayed 7f on debut but unraced over this far.

16/1

5th

5

(2)

2nd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Violets Star

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Adam West

Soft-ground win last summer came in a weak maiden and two poor efforts this spring leave her with plenty to prove on her AW debut (half-sister to a dual course winner in Rose Hip).

16/1

5th

5

(2)

2nd May 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Violets Star

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Adam West

Soft-ground win last summer came in a weak maiden and two poor efforts this spring leave her with plenty to prove on her AW debut (half-sister to a dual course winner in Rose Hip).

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £169.70
Straight Forecast £135.89
Tricast £479.91
Trifecta £737.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Violets Star

The Times:

Showalong

SPOTLIGHT:

Papa Don't Preach

NEWMARKET:

Maharajas Express

RP RATINGS:

Burj Malinka

D Express:

Huddle Up

POSTDATA:

Glory Fighter

Daily Mirror:

Violets Star

Daily Record:

Violets Star

TOPSPEED:

Papa Don't Preach

The Sun:

Showalong

The Star:

Showalong