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Preview
10 Nov 2007
3.10 Doncaster -
the November handicap Heritage Handicap 12F GD - FM
The flat season draws to an end with the last big Heritage
handicap at it's rightful home, the refurbished Doncaster race
track. 3yo's have a good record in recent years in this race, with
Come On Johnny being a very impressive winner in the mud in the last
running of this handicap at this track. In what looks a very open
field, despite the potentially Group class unbeaten favourite Pipa
Greene looking to give Jamie Spencer a helping hand in the jockey
title with a win here today. It would be wrong to discount this race
just because the hype surrounding the jockey championship and any
trainer and rider would want to land this handicap and a nice pot.
Heavens Knows is one of the leading fancies for this handicap
today and the Hamden Al Maktoum runner has the services of the
number one jockey for the owner Richard Hills, who has had a very
good season this year with many winners. The Haggas yard are in very
good form at present and won the last class 2 handicap at
headquarters last week, when Very wise won in good fashion under
Jimmy Fortune. Heavens Knows, who can be a little in and out, looks
likely to give a very good account of himself despite the rise in
the weights. A winner at Newbury last time in soft conditions, the
ground here today is quicker then what would have been expected for
this time of the year, but the son of Halling is effective on all
kinds of surfaces and should go close on his second attempt at this
trip.
Godolphin is another yard in good form and they may have a strong
say in this handicap, with Rampillion and New Guinea taking part.
They have got previous experience of this left handed galloping
track, where New Guinea came out on top behind the highly
progressive Galactic Star, who went on to run a respectable race at
a higher level. No match for the Sir Michael Stoute runner that day,
they could once again run into a potential Group horse in this field
today with the likes of Pipa Greene in the race. New Guinea seems to
have more stamina for this trip based on past performances and the
fact the horse has tried 2 miles as well suggests he should confirm
the form with his stable mate, despite the weights more in favour of
Rampillion, who will need a downpour to be at his best.
Greek Envoy turned around recent form, when winning all out at
Newmarket, from the returning to form Cutting Crew. That was of the
back of a awful effort at York, where he lost his place turning in
and was out the back, making very little progress. He may have found
the ground a little on the fast side that day, as all his best form
has come on soft ground. Today he may struggle, despite the fact
that on breeding he should handle the quicker conditions. He may be
one that will be useful over hurdles when given the conditions he
requires. The reason that so many soft ground horses are still
running despite the quicker conditions for the time of the year is
that the ground will have some moisture in it and the hope is that
the ground will cut up and that they will get their toe into the
ground. John Terry has failed many times at this level and usually
finds it just a shade above him, having failed to get his head in
front. Seb is in for the ride today on a free going sort, who if
held right in front, could easily keep on to run a big race today,
over an ideal trip. The best of the 3yo's, bar the favourite, could
be Kevin Ryan's Philanthropy, who is ridden by big race handicap
specialist Paul Hanagan. Paul has ridden 3 winners for the trainer
in the past, who do well in all age handicaps at this track, with a
profit of £56.00 to a one pound stake. This York scorer may finally
learn to settle better in a big field today. Karl Burke's Akraem has
had a good prep race for this and is well handicapped, if returning
to his best and should run a nice race here.
My Tissue Prices - Heavens Knows 8/1, Pippa Greene 9/1, New
Guinea 10/1, Greek Envoy, John Terry, Philanthropy, Rampillion 12/1,
Bandama 14/1, Malt or Mash, Dzesmien, Sanbuch 16/1, Oh Glory Be,
Inchloch, Bazart, Heron Bay 18/1, Akraem 20/1, Lundy's Lane 25/1, La
Estrella, Night Crescendo, Chicken Soup 50/1, Tropical Strait 100/1,
Realism 150/1, Turn of Phase 175/1
Verdict – A
decent handicap to lower the curtain on the flat season, where
Heavens knows has a strong chance if seeing out this trip for a
in-form yard. However, New Guinea has had this in mind since
finishing a clear 2nd to the Group class horse Galactic star over
course and distance, and ran out a decent winner of a stakes race at
Leicester last time. He could still be well handicapped for this
today, for a yard that is in form and is double handed in this race
today . He is the selection to end the run of the unbeaten
favourite.
Selection –
3 pts win New Guinea
@ 18-1 (21.0 BF)
Well Chief
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