Doncaster Saturday

1.30 Betfair Wentworth Stakes (Listed) 6f 2yds

Ostilio is a very interesting acquisition for the Paul Midgley yard, having won the Listed Guisborough Stakes at Redcar last time. The entire has been campaigned at 7f/1m for Simon and Ed Crisford, showing himself a pattern-class performer, but Midgley specialises in speed, and I can see him honing his new recruit’s speed to get more out of him at shorter trips.

2.05 Betfair Exchange British EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 1m 2f 43yds

Ralph Beckett has three runners and is in excellent form, with his eight winners in the past fortnight coming from just 30 runners. The problem is choosing between the three Beckett runners, but I’ve always liked Trefoil, and she looks the type to blossom after a career-best four and a half lengths fourth of 14 to Angel Power in the Pride Stakes at Newmarket last time. That was a return to form after she struggled in strong Group 2 events in the summer, and she has been given time to develop since. She had the likes of Oriental Mystique and English King behind her when winning her novice a year ago, and again hammered the former there last time, having been behind her in the Prix de Malleret in July. Connections won this with Ceilidh House a decade ago.

3.15 Betfair November Handicap 1m 3f 197yds

Hiroshima is well worth a punt in the November handicap. He was an easy winner of a fibresand maiden last May, and I put him in my notebook as a middle-distance handicapper to follow, but instead he went to Lingfied for the Derby Trial and then to Epsom before his Derby quest led him to Down Royal. Beaten 14 lengths by Trueshan on his final start last year, I reckoned that form might be better than it looked.

It’s taken a while for him to get his eye in after such a challenging three-year-old campaign, but he scored with cheek pieces fitted at Ayr in September, and he ran even better when third to Ocean Wind here last time, battling well to be beaten only a length behind the unexposed winner, and fully 15 lengths clear of the field.

His stamina for further is a big plus, and his wide draw is a positive in these conditions, as shown by past results. He’s been raised by 5lb for his latest effort, but had he won by 15 lengths without the pair that beat him, he’d be much higher.

Aintree Saturday

2.10 Follow @willhillracing On Twitter Handicap Chase 2m 3f 200yds

Drumcliff, whose half-brother Dusart looked a fine prospect when winning at Newbury on Thursday, is interesting after a more encouraging effort at Fontwell last time, but a narrow vote goes to Dashing Perk on the back of a breathing operation.

Dr Richard Newland’s gelding needs to be caught fresh due to those breathing issues, and was a winner over this trip at Sandown 11 months ago on last season’s return. He did not last home over 3m when last seen, so the return to this trip after a break looks a positive.

Wincanton Saturday

1.50 Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 82yds

Molly Ollys Wishes was conceding a penalty when beaten 3¾ lengths by It’s Probably Me in a mares’ novice at Doncaster in February having beaten the same rival at level weights at Taunton. It’s possible to argue that she has a chance of regaining the lead in their private battle, but Henry Daly’s mare clearly improved on the second occasionand she was a comfortable winner under no more than a hand ride.

Previously, It’s Probably Me was an 11-length third to the high-class Marie’s Rock in a listed contest at Taunton, when giving 8lb WFA to runner-up Midnight’s Gift, who is now rated 130.

I’d have expected the handicapper to put her on a mark in the high 120s, but It’s Probably Me is rated just 121 here, and that shows the handicapper is giving her no extra credit for what she had in hand at Doncaster, which is remarkably generous when dealing with quite an exciting prospect from an in-form yard. With Richard Patrick’s claim, she will have just 9st 11lb to carry here.

2.25 “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 35yds

Ga Law looked a tremendous prospect when slamming Mr Medic at Exeter on his second start over fences, against seasoned handicappers, and he can take advantage of the generous weigh-for-age allowance by scoring, upped to Grade 2 company here.

Grand Sancy made his chase debut in a Grade 1 last December, and he sets a decent standard, but I’m not convinced he can concede a stone to such a promising youngster as Ga Law.

3.00 Unibet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m 7f 65yds

It will be interesting to see whether Alan King keeps Sceau Royal over hurdles this season, as the pickings are so much easier over the smaller obstacles, as demonstrated by this renewal of the Elite Hurdle, which the eight-year-old has at his mercy based on his comeback win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. He’s always at his best fresh and arguably away from soft ground, with speed his chief asset, and he has much more in his favour here than his rivals.

3.35 Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Listed) 3m 1f 30yds

I don’t think this is a strong running of the ‘Badger Beer’ and find it very hard to get away from the claims of two-time winner of the race Present Man, who won a veterans’ chase at Chepstow last month in fine style.

The key to him isn’t going right-handed per se, but a relative test of speed at three miles over fences, and his record at around this trip on a sound surface makes impressive reading, with the only time he’s not finished first or second when completing the course under such circumstances being when asked to go toe-to-toe with Might Bite in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase a few years ago. He found the ground too soft in this last year, and has twice failed to stay when tried in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Back on good ground and at a track he appreciates more than any other, he can gain a celebrated third win in this historic contest.

Recommended

It’s Probably Me 1.50 Wincanton – 1pt e/w @ 9/1 (BetVictor, 888Sport – 4 places)

Trefoil 2.05 Doncaster – 1pt win @ 8/1 (general)

Hiroshima 3.15 Doncaster – 1pt e/w @ 20/1 (general – best Bet365 ¼ odds 5 places)

Present Man 3.35 Wincanton – 1pt win @ 6/1 (BetVictor, Boyles)

Winners

Rory tipped Roksana @13\8 and Sully D’Oc @9\2 last week.