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15:45 Doncaster

Saturday 9 November 2024

All11:4512:1512:5013:2014:0014:3515:1015:45

Virgin Bet November Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 2m 39.84s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Wise Eagle¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: A Nicol| OR: 103| D

100/1

Third in a York Group 3 during the summer and bounced back following a couple of heavy defeats when second in a 4-runner conditions race at Pontefract (2¼m, heavy). However, he looks vulnerable under top-weight back in handicap company over a trip short of his best.

Form: 873062

(21)

Maxi King⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D Egan| T: Raphael Freire| OR: 102| C| D

33/1

Started the season with 2 handicap wins but his limitations have been exposed in stronger company since. Remains 12 lb above last winning mark and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 114056

(13)

Beamish^p⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: A Watson| OR: 98| D

66/1

Useful performer for previous connections in Ireland and produced much his best effort so far for this yard when going close in a 2m handicap on Shergar Cup day at Ascot in August. Put in his place in listed company at Newmarket last time, though, and others look better treated.

Form: 609244

(6)

Miller Spirit¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 97| D

20/1

Back-to-back Goodwood winner in June and further progress in recent months, completing the hat-trick when cosily seeing off Flash Bardot and 9 others at Newbury (1½m, heavy) last time. Up another 7 lb but this 4-y-o probably has more to offer.

Form: 424111

(7)

Paradias⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: A King| OR: 96

50/1

Quickly dispelled a lesser effort in the John Smith's Cup when resuming winning ways at Glorious Goodwood (9f) at the beginning of August. Latest effort here (10.2f, good) was respectable and this step back up in trip may be no bad thing but he looks vulnerable for win purposes nonetheless.

Form: 0-20105

(9)

Chillingham^p⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 96| D

7/1

Consistent and useful handicapper who bounced back from a rare off-day in the Ebor when finding only the evergreen Not So Sleepy too strong at Newbury (13.3f, soft). Yet to win off a mark this high but he's almost certainly capable of doing so and a bold show is anticipated.

Form: 2-73302

(11)

Insanity⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 95| D

12/1

Broadly progressive on the Flat, successful at Windsor during the spring and also took a 1½m Ascot handicap on Shergar Cup day. Came up short in a valuable contest at York's Ebor meeting last time, albeit that race may have come too soon (just 13 days after Ascot) and he remains of interest.

Form: 15-1218

(5)

Stressfree¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93

9/1

Several good efforts in defeat prior to resuming winning ways at Chester in September. Has remained in top form since, most recently finishing strongly when third of 17 here (10.2f, heavy) a fortnight ago, and he's a strong candidate now upped in trip with Jamie Spencer again in the hot-seat.

Form: 331223

(4)

Auld Toon Loon^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 93

28/1

Didn't show much in 3 runs over hurdles for Lucinda Russell during the summer but returned to this sphere with a bang when landing a Bath handicap (10.2f, heavy) by 8½ lengths on debut for new yard. This is much tougher up 10 lb but he clearly relishes testing conditions and is not without hope.

Form: 12574-1

(19)

Simply Sondheim^p⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: George Baker| OR: 93

33/1

Prolific in 2022 and resumed winning ways in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when arriving late on the scene at Epsom (1¼m, soft) last time. However, he has much more on his plate off 5 lb higher here and yet to conclusively prove himself at this trip.

Form: 694851

(12)

Valvano²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Hector Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 97

9/2

Highly promising start to his career in the mud at Nottingham last year and kicked off this season by chasing home top miler Notable Speech on the AW in April. Wasn't far behind Stressfree when third on handicap debut at York (10.2f, soft) last time and he is probably capable of a good deal better.

Form: 1-233

(10)

Two Brothers^v²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 92| D

66/1

Hit the target at Thirsk in April and back on track following a string of tame efforts when landing a 14-runner York handicap (10.2f, heavy) last month. 5 lb rise tolerable but this is a much stiffer assignment.

Form: 130601

(18)

Adjuvant¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Hassett⁽³⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 92| D

25/1

Looked progressive in first half of last season but rather up-and-down in this sphere and over hurdles since, for all that his latest fourth of 8 over 1¾m at Goodwood was something of a step back in the right direction.

Form: 5200-74

(2)

Oneforthegutter^p⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91| D

33/1

Dual winner in 2023 and several good efforts in defeat this year, notably when third of 20 to Magical Zoe in the Ebor at York (1¾m, good to firm). Wasn't in the same form at Haydock since, though, and he'll probably find a few too good once more.

Form: 523736

(17)

Master Builder²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 96

11/2

Confirmed promise of his fine third in the Melrose at York when running out an emphatic winner of 10-runner handicap at Haydock in September. Did best of those held up in a muddling race when third to Minstrel Knight back on the Knavesmire (13.8f, soft) last time and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 215313

(8)

Lord Melbourne³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jack Doughty⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 90| BF| D

14/1

Has taken form to a new level for Ralph Beckett, winning cosily at York in June and getting back on scoreboard in Epsom handicap (1½m, good) on penultimate start. Didn't do much wrong when third at Leicester last time but yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Valvano.

Form: 551413

(1)

Flash Bardot¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 88| CD

20/1

Form tailed off following decisive reappearance success over this C&D in April but she has returned to form the last twice, latterly beaten ¾-length by Miller Spirit at Newbury (1½m, heavy). 4 lb better off with that rival now and she should have a part to play.

Form: 859932

(14)

Dark Moon Rising^b⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: J Quinn| T: K A Ryan| OR: 87| D

40/1

Back to form when winning at Hamilton in June and has done little wrong in 4 subsequent starts, most recently finishing a close third of 11 off this mark at Ayr (1¼m, good to firm). This step back up in trip looks a good move and he's not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 019233

(15)

Waxing Gibbous⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: S D Bowen⁽³⁾| T: D Menuisier| OR: 85| BF| D

17/2

Progressive this season, off the mark at Newbury in May before going close in handicaps at Kempton and Haydock. Wasn't in the same form returned to Newbury last time but, with just 8 runs under her belt, her best days could still be ahead of her.

Form: 6-21225

(22)

Kotari³²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Watson| T: G & J Moore| OR: 85| D

33/1

Won 3 on the bounce during the spring prior to performing with credit in competitive heats at Epsom and Newbury. Latest run ar Leicester wasn't one of his better ones, though, and Miller Spirit is clealry the stable first-string.

Form: 111544

(20)

Austrian Theory¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| C

66/1

Snapped a losing run when getting the better of a progressive 3-y-o at Pontefract (1¼m, heavy) 19 days ago. Remains feasibly treated back up 5 lb but minor place money is probably the best his connections can hope for this time.

Form: 604241

(16)

Minstrel Knight²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Aidan Keeley| T: E Bethell| OR: 88

7/1

Deservedly opened his account at Carlisle in June and improved further of late, bagging slow-ground handicaps (both at around 1¾m) at Haydock and York the last twice. However, 6 lb rise for latest success could be enough to anchor him back down in trip here.

Form: 212311

(23)

Three Dons²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Molly Gunn⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 81| D

40/1

Has proved to be a winning machine this year, notching another success when striking at Catterick (1½m, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Dangerous to completely rule out in current form but this demands another sizeable step forward.

Form: 131121

Forecasts

Valvano (9/2), Master Builder (11/2), Minstrel Knight (7/1), Chillingham (7/1), Waxing Gibbous (17/2), Stressfree (9/1), Insanity (12/1), Lord Melbourne (14/1), Miller Spirit (20/1), Flash Bardot (20/1), Adjuvant (25/1), Auld Toon Loon (28/1), Oneforthegutter (33/1), Maxi King (33/1), Kotari (33/1), Simply Sondheim (33/1), Three Dons (40/1), Dark Moon Rising (40/1), Paradias (50/1), Two Brothers (66/1), Beamish (66/1), Austrian Theory (66/1), Wise Eagle (100/1)

A typically competitive renewal of this valuable season finale and MILLER SPIRIT is taken to continue his ascent by completing the four-timer. He appeared to have a bit left up his sleeve when getting the better of the re-opposing (and much-respected) Flash Bardot at Newbury and a 7 lb rise looks manageable. Unexposed 3-y-o Valvano is feared most on the back of an encouraging handicap bow third at York, while the aforementioned Flash Bardot, Master Builder and Stressfree are others to consider.