Racecards
12:40 Doncaster
Doncaster-racecourse.com Introductory Novices' Hurdle (Class B )
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
led and pulled hard, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
- Form 4
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
Goldhorn (IRE)
281- Form 10R/0-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer O Brennan
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 3
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
Muraqeb
18- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs Barbara Waring
- Jockey M Foley
tracked leaders, lost place halfway
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer S L Keightley
- Jockey R Garritty
tracked leader, hit 1st, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
Reap
23- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Pearce
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
- Form 5-00
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up towards rear, effort afetr3 out, one pace and no impression from next
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J A Glover
- Jockey Jim Crowley
held up towards rear, headway halfway, challenged 3 out, soon weakened
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
always behind, tailed off approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
- Form C11/F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey G Berridge
held up in touch, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out, pulled up before next
- Form 2252-3
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey R McGrath
tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, shaken up approaching last, soon clear, eased towards finish
In depth
Verdict
An interesting way to open the card and it may pay to side with the in-form Venetia Williams yard, who send out hurdles debutante Darkside and this former useful stayer on the flat in France gets the nod over the exposed Into The Shadows and Joshuas Boy, who make the most appeal out of the rest. The selection comes here after a long absence but, considering the form of runners from his stable, that will not be a problem if Ms Williams has him anywhere near the level of fitness shown by her runners earlier this week. Darkside, whose dam is from the family of champion middle distance performer Dahlia, holds an interesting mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree and it will be very interesting to note how he takes to this game. He handles a fair bit of give when he raced in France and can represent good value today. Into The Shadows, herself useful on the level, was let down for her supporters when she made her hurdles debut at Newcastle last month, but in truth was not disgraced in finishing third in a race that may not have been run to suit her style. A stronger pace will bring about further improvement and a watching brief on the betting is advised. Joshuas Boy was moderate on the flat and, for all intents and purposes, was expected to struggle in this sphere of racing. Therefore, it came as something of a surprise when he ran a blinder at Wetherby last month. However, it is a little risky to just suppose that he will repeat the effort this afternoon and others make more appeal. None more so than Darkside, who is selected as much because of his sable's form as he is for the amount of scope he has for the hurdles game.