THE key to the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster today may lie in Bet365 Handicap Chase that was run over the course and distance six weeks ago, when O O Seven just got the better of Go Conquer in a thrilling finish.

It was easy to feel sorry for Go Conquer on the day. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse had led from flagfall under Tom Bellamy. He had kicked three lengths clear by the time he reached the final fence, only for O O Seven to overhaul him in the run-in.

The track is the same today, and the distance is identical and the ground should be similar, and Go Conquer will be 1lb better off. In theory, that should be sufficient to take them even closer. Go Conquer is an admirable performer, but O O Seven may have his measure again.

It was good to see Nicky Henderson’s horse finish off his race strongly that day, on that, his first run since he had a wind operation. He probably had more in hand too than the winning margin on the day.

The handicapper raised him by 5lb to a mark of 152, but that is still 1lb lower than his career-high mark of 153. He has always been a highly-regarded individual, he finished second to Yorkhill in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle as a novice hurdler, and he beat Sizing Tennessee in the Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting as a novice chaser. It may be that his wind operation can unlock further capabilities.

You can understand why Dingo Dollar is favourite. Alan King’s horse ran a big race in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in December, racing prominently until he started to wilt at the fourth last fence, but still keeping on well enough to retain third place. He gets to race off his Ladbrokes Trophy mark of 148 today, and the drop back to three miles and the better ground should help. He is a danger, but he is short.

Go Conquer is also a danger, as is Art Mauresque, and Willie Boy is progressive but, at the prices, O O Seven is the bet.

It’s Trials Day at Cheltenham, and Thistlecrack and Big Buck’s have both won the Cleeve Hurdle in recent years before going back to Cheltenham seven weeks later and winning the Stayers’ Hurdle.

If the 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle winner is in today’s line-up, it is probably going to be one of the up-and-coming horses with potential to progress again, like Paisley Park or Midnight Shadow or Black Op or Aux Ptits Soins. But it looks like all four are priced up on potential, and it may be that Wholestone can beat them all.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse was out-stayed by Agrapart on heavy ground in this race last year, but the better ground today should give him every chance of improving on last year’s performance.

He stays three miles all right, but he probably doesn’t want soft or heavy ground over the stayers’ trip.

The Craigsteel gelding is a classy staying hurdler, and he goes really well at Cheltenham. His record there reads 121131232.

He has been in good form this season too. A winner over two and a half miles at Aintree on his seasonal debut, he was disappointing in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Ladbrokes Trophy day. That was his second disappointing run in two attempts at Newbury but he ran well in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day to finish second to Midnight Shadow.

He has two and a half lengths to find with Midnight Shadow on that Relkeel Hurdle run, but the step up from two and a half to three miles will bring his stamina into play, and that gives him a chance of exacting his revenge. Sue Smith’s horse is a really likeable individual, he is highly progressive, but he still has to prove his stamina for three miles. His racing style gives him every chance of getting the trip, but his breeding is not a positive in that regard, and he is priced up as if he will stay.

Last year’s Ballymore Hurdle runner-up Black Op is really interesting, returning to hurdles from fences, and you can arguably give Sam Spinner one more chance, based on the hypotheses that the sun was in his eyes at Ascot last time, and Agrapart would be very interesting if the rains arrived. But, on the current ground, at the current prices, Wholestone is the bet.

Recommended

O O SEVEN, 6/1 (generally) 1 pt win

WHOLESTONE, 9/1 (generally) 1 pt win