Racecards
14:20 Doncaster
Tote Exacta Mallard Stakes (Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 1m 6f 132y
- Going: Good
Gulf (IRE)
19- Form 501360
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey N Mackay
slow away, behind, ridden and headway on inner over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
- Form 013004
- Age 4
- Weight 9-13
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
Bourgeois
13- Form 520303
- Age 6
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey T Quinn
chased leaders far side for 4f, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Form 012-10
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 020531
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey J P Spencer
in touch, chased leader over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 0344-00
- Age 6
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased clear pair final furlong, no impression
- Form 15-0200
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey K Darley
behind, effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
- Form 25-6313
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 1/10-423
- Age 8
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey Richard Hughes
behind, ridden and headway 4f out, no impression approaching final furlong
- Form 12-0010
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer J A Glover
- Jockey R Winston
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 331031
- Age 8
- Weight 8-8
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 6-03103
- Age 6
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey K Dalgleish
led, headed over 4f out, quickly lost place
Midas Way
22- Form 1-61642
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer H & R Charlton
- Jockey L Dettori
led far side group for 4f, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
- Form 510-233
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey R Ffrench
chased leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
Almutasader
50- Form 040-111
- Age 3
- Weight 8-3
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey R Hills
chased leaders far side for 4f, in touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong
- Form 43-0632
- Age 4
- Weight 8-0
- Trainer A P Jarvis
- Jockey P Hanagan
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, lost place over 3f out
In depth
Verdict
Several have claims in this competitive heat including top weight Gulf, as well as the likes of recent winner Shabernak and Midas Way, but Almutasader is a progressive colt and he is the selection to continue his winning ways. Despite being a half-brother to the useful sprinters Vision Of Night and Struggler, he clearly lacks their pace and when getting off the mark at Leicester back he may he looked distinctly slow, as it took him an age to get by the exposed Cheeky Girl. However, as he has stepped up in trip, he has come into his own and although he is 11lbs higher than when beating Flamenco Bride last time, he is improving fast and can defy his new mark. Midas Way is another who has a progressive profile and will be in his element over this trip. He handles most types of ground and looks sure to give a good account. A winner over the stiff two-miles at Ascot last time, Shabernak may not be suited by this drop in trip. However, there will be no hanging around here and he should get the sound pace he needs. David Elsworth, who had Ebor winner Saint Alebe entered in this, relies on Gulf to fly the Whitsbury banner. He hasn't always looked the easiest of rides, but he will be well suited to the likely strong pace and can give a good account, despite having to give weight away all round. Bourgeois and Itemise are others to consider, but Southern raider Almutasader is taken to continue his upward curve.