October 25 / 16.25 Doncaster

16.25

Heavy

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £23553
  • 1m 2f 43y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: 210031 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Grey Cuban

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.

5/1

1

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Grey Cuban

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who won at Chester (1m2f, good) in July and returned to form when third of five in Listed race there (1m4f, good to soft) last month; he's saved his best for Chester this season but has shown promise at York in the past and the drop back in trip is a likely plus; can make a bold bid.

20/1

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Grey Cuban

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

This course rather dominates his turf record, most notably with a big career best to win 1m2f handicap in July in good style from the front; the scale of his defeats at other tracks on his last two outings is a concern and although better seems likely on this return to Chester, stamina is in doubt.

14/1

14/1

Form: 095860 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Three-time turf winner (including on soft) who is 4lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last December; however, he's failed to threaten across his seven runs since March and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:23 Chester

Savvy Victory

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: S Woods

Placed on both starts here and he continues to slide down the weights, but was beaten 17l into seventh of eight at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last time and will need to do a good deal better than that; no headgear today.

14/1

7th

3

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Savvy Victory

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: S Woods

His form deteriorated last year and he went 0-9; however, he's dropped down the weights and could improve for his recent comeback in a Listed race at Kempton (fourth); this C&D winner is not ruled out.

15/2

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: -10930 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Well beaten when upped to 13.2f at Newbury last month but showed spark when close third of seven in slowly run race at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) previously; his handicap wins have come at 1m1f/1m2f and he seems versatile ground-wise; not ruled out now back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:30 Kempton (AW)

Majestic

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Won the 2022 Cambridgeshire but his only win since came in Bahrain (1m2f, good) last January; some creditable efforts on turf this summer; this is just his second AW start but he was runner-up at Wolverhampton on the previous one in November 2024; could be in the shake-up but the suspicion the wait for another British win will go on.

10/1

3rd

2

(5)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Majestic

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

Won the 2022 Cambridgeshire but his only win since came in Bahrain (1m2f, good) last January; came from further back than the winner when runner-up at Windsor (around 1m4f) in June but he failed to beat a rival home over 1m6f at Newmarket last month; drop back in trip should suit.

7/1

10th

7

(8)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Majestic

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Won the 1m1f Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September 2022 but his solitary win since was in Bahrain (1m2f) in January 2025; went close over 1m4f last August and runner-up over 11.4f at Windsor 13 days ago, but this trip (well beaten trying 1m5f once last year) is doubtful territory.

25/1

Form: -82022 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Two-time heavy-ground winner who was fourth of 17 in this last year (soft) and has run well to finish second on his last two starts (1m2f/1m, soft/good to soft); key player with conditions in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

(11)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Alpha Crucis

8st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Gary & Josh Moore

All four of his wins were on soft or heavy ground, three at Goodwood; runner-up on his only two visits here, including at this meeting (good to soft) last year and he's 1lb lower today; that was over 8.5f and his creditable fifth on reappearance ten weeks ago was in the 1m Lincoln at Doncaster, but he stays 1m2f; strong each-way claims.

7/1

Form: 533716 CD BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
8yo who has been in and out this year and was soundly beaten at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last time but prior to that he won over today's C&D (soft) and can't be ruled out off this 4lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Veteran with ten wins to his name; behind some of these on two visits to York this summer but wasn't disgraced in a C&D handicap 15 days ago on a rare foray over this far; could have some part to play.

7/1

4th

6

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:05 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

In the veteran stage now but his two runs at York this term prove he still retains ability, latterly when sticking on into midfield in valuable 10.5f event a fortnight ago; his sole start at 1m4f (in December 2024) returned his best RPR and this second attempt is well worth another go.

16/1

11th

14

(22)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Fantasy Believer

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

Did well to finish fifth of 16 over C&D (good) on reappearance four weeks ago having been hampered soon after the start and raced wide; however, he goes well fresh so may not improve for that outing, and it's likely this 9yo will be vulnerable against numerous unexposed contenders.

50/1

Form: 1-8558

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won 2yo Listed race at Chantilly (1m1f, heavy) last October but disappointing in the main in light campaign this term and down the field in C&D handicap (soft) last time; first-time blinkers need to prompt a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:38 Worcester

Square DAlboni

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Listed Flat winner as a 2yo and showed the benefit of his winter wind op when scoring in good style over hurdles at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) and here (2m, good) this summer; tries a new trip today; big player.

4/1

1st

2

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Worcester

Square DAlboni

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful Flat performer who made it third-time lucky over hurdles with a dominant display after wind surgery at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) two weeks ago; just about sets the standard under a penalty and he could have a lot more to offer in this sphere; strong contender.

4/5

1st

8

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

18:48 Stratford

Square DAlboni

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2yo Listed winner on the Flat; made a promising start over hurdles when third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in January but was well beaten at short odds at Catterick (2m, soft) later that month; subsequently underwent wind surgery and, if able to reproduce his earlier effort, he's firmly in the mix on this comeback.

4/5

Form: 211263 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Seven wins this year (1m-1m4f, including on good to soft; unraced on softer) and looked better than ever when close third of 11 at Nottingham (1m2f, good to soft) last time; in the mix if handling the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Crowd Quake

8st 11lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Seven wins this year (1m-1m4f, including on good to soft; unraced on softer) and looked better than ever when close third of 11 at Nottingham (1m2f, good to soft) last time; in the mix if handling the ground.

15/2

2

(1)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

16:35 Nottingham

Crowd Quake

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Stuart Williams

Can make the running; highly progressive 4yo until a lesser result at Ayr on latest outing but being hampered at the start seemed to scupper him; had seven wins May-August and went mighty close at the Doncaster St Leger meeting last month; 5lb higher today but he remains one for the shortlist.

100/30

10

(10)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Ayr

Crowd Quake

9st 1lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Highly progressive 4yo who made it seven wins from his last nine starts when scoring at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month, and he was a close second of 14 off this mark at Doncaster last Thursday (1m4f, good to soft; unraced on softer); reappears before 5lb rise kicks in and holds very solid claims.

100/30

Form: 320006 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Appeared to have gone off the boil but his sixth of 14 to Grey Cuban at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago was a step back in the right direction and he may be able to take another today; on a dangerous mark and he's effective on soft ground; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

10

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Have Secret

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; respectable fifth of 15 over C&D (good) at the Dante meeting in May but well held twice since, latterly at 100-1 in the John Smith's Cup.

28/1

14th

13

(19)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Have Secret

9st 1lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April and respectable fifth of 15 to Warrant Holder over this C&D (good) in May; the return to Epsom maybe didn't suit latest (well beaten) but he needs to bounce back with a career best.

50/1

Form: 423322 BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won his first two starts for James Owen in the spring and a string of good efforts in defeat since, finishing third over C&D (soft) last month and a close second at Kempton (1m3f, AW) last time; cheekpieces return (no positive impact on sole previous use in May 2024); could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sportingsilvermine

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Placed twice on soft last year; beat only one home in a top 1m2f handicap here in July but in career-best form over 1m4f (good to firm) either side of that when winning at Newmarket and second in Shergar Cup race at Ascot; needs some respect.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Sportingsilvermine

9st 8lb

J: Yutaka Take

T: James Owen

His 1m4f win on good to firm at Newmarket in July reads well but has finished behind Castle Stuart in their recent clashes and beat only one home in the John Smith's Cup four weeks ago; probably vulnerable off this mark.

14/1

21th

15

(12)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Sportingsilvermine

8st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Owen

Easy win at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) in May before solid third of 16 over this C&D (good), and he improved again to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last Saturday; today's assignment is tougher still but this thriving 5yo could be in the each-way mix under a 5lb penalty.

25/1

Form: 142236

Last run: 44 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Merely mid-division when upped in trip over C&D (good to soft) last month and could do with settling better; unraced on soft/heavy; however, this 3yo produced a run of consistent performances in the summer and holds each-way claims if back on song today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Immediate Effect

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual AW Flat winner won a C&D juvenile hurdle on debut in this sphere; respectable run in a Grade 1 next time but was poor at Listed level at Naas since; has to return to best.

14/1

5th

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

14:30 Naas

Immediate Effect

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice on AW for Sir Mark Prescott (7f/1m); bought for 45,000gns and lived up to his name when scoring on yard debut in Punchestown maiden on New Year's Eve, travelling and jumping well on yielding ground; seemingly exposed at Grade 1 level at Leopardstown early this month but definite claims back down in class.

4/1

Non-runners

El Burhan, Mustazeed

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.00
Straight Forecast £60.92
Tricast £413.72
Trifecta £670.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Alpha Crucis

SPOTLIGHT:

El Burhan

The Star:

Crowd Quake

The Times:

Immediate Effect

Daily Record:

Sportingsilvermine

POSTDATA:

Grey Cuban

TOPSPEED:

Have Secret

LAMBOURN:

Fantasy Believer

Telegraph:

El Burhan

Daily Mirror:

El Burhan

The Guardian:

Alpha Crucis

Daily Mail:

Alpha Crucis

D Express:

Alpha Crucis

The Sun:

Alpha Crucis