Racing
Doncaster Place 6 preview | 22nd February
13.15 – Virgin Bet EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle – 2m3f
HURRICANE BAY has shown good form over hurdles and ran a really good race when third in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle last time. A repeat here should see him win, while IMPERIAL MERLIN has three wins and two seconds from five starts and is the biggest threat on paper.
Selections: HURRICANE BAY, IMPERIAL MERLIN
13.50 – Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Chase – 2m3f
BARTON KNOLL doesn’t find much off the bridle but he is a three-time C&D winner and has a good chance off a 2Ib lower mark than his last win which was here. FAKIR is starting to look really well-treated based on his Irish form and won on his stable debut last year off a higher mark. He should be competitive.
Selections: BARTON KNOLL, FAKIR
14.25 – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle – 3m
MIDNIGHTREFLECTION has been highly tried throughout her career and is 9Ib below her last winning mark. She returned to form after some lacklustre performances when second last-time-out and is the one to beat. PARICOLOR will appreciate the ease in grade on this ground and should go well as well.
Selections: MIDNIGHTREFLECTION, PARICOLOR
15.00 – Virgin Bet Veterans’ Handicap Chase – 2m7f
THE KINGS WRIT put aside a long-losing sequence when collecting a prize at Warwick on New Year’s Eve and backed that up with a decent second at Hereford last time. He should remain competitive but DIDERO VALLIS was third in the Kim Muir at last season’s Cheltenham Festival off a 5Ib higher mark and has the class to beat these.
Selections: THE KINGS WRIT, DIDERO VALLIS
15.35 – Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle – 2m
The Gary Moore-trained LOVE IS GOLDEN showcased a fair amount of ability on the Flat (rated as high as 85) and bolted up on his hurdles debut at Newbury 11 days ago despite racing keenly throughout. He should be capable of defying his penalty in this weaker race with a lot more to come.
Selections: LOVE IS GOLDEN
16.10 – Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle – 2m3f
CAN’T BEAT HISTORY was second in a bumper on his debut last May and has shaped with some promise in both starts at this course. He makes his handicap debut off a really handy mark and remains of interest. ROCKET ROBBO also appeals on handicap debut dropped in grade and isn’t out of this by any means.
Selections: CAN’T BEAT HISTORY, ROCKET ROBBO
