Best bets for the horse racing at Doncaster Saturday 10th November 2018
It is the last day for the Turf season with the final flat meeting at Doncaster this Saturday with a couple of Listed heats on the card – they also go at Chelmsford City on the all-weather. Aintree stages their Community Raceday whilst they also run at Kelso and Wincanton, where they have two Grade Two heats, over the obstacles.
I will be concentrating on the last day of the Turf at Doncaster where they have some very competitive races for us to enjoy. The going is good on Friday afternoon but they, like the rest of the country, are forecast some heavy rain overnight so it’s likely to be soft come race time.
They go over 1m2f for the Listed British EBF Gillies Fillies' Stakes at 1.30. Queen Of Time is consistent but just can’t break her duck at this level and the same comments can apply to Shenanigans and Maid To Remember though the William Haggas trained filly is the much more lightly raced of the trio. Dermot Weld had two lightly campaigned 3yo’s entered but the chestnut Khalid Abdullah owned Bona Fide is the only one to make the trip. Two wins from three starts, one on yielding, you’d think the Frankel filly is still on the upgrade and might just improve past a few of these. She’s the each-way pick at 6-1.
It’s the Listed Wentworth Stakes at 2.05 over six furlongs. Could It Be Love has been running well with no reward over trips from six to a mile since winning her maiden back in April; she was second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in May and has placed up five times since then. She will surely get her head back in front again sooner rather than later and I think dropping back to this trip might do the trick. 9-1 looks big to me and she is the second each-way punt of the afternoon. Laugh A Minute is an obvious danger as is Donjuan Triumphant dropping into calmer waters and the 5yo would prefer softer underfoot conditions so the rain won’t hurt his chances; they do though have to give the selection 5lb.
Charlie Appleby has been picking up prizes here, there, and everywhere and could just add the final big handicap of the season, the November Handicap over 1m4f at 3.15 to the collection with Wolf Country. The gelding was expected to go well at Newmarket in May but never looked happy and failed to give his running. Put in a far better performance off a break at Goodwood last time on soft over 1m4f when second – also won on soft as a 3yo. Has won at Listed level and been tried in Group races so if back to his best could be well in here off a mark of 98. At around 14-1 he can be punted each-way and that is what I have done. Royal Line, My Lord And Master and To Be Wild are just three dangers.
Paddy Power are doing one of their ‘extra places’ offers if of interest to you but are a shade skinny on prices for two of those I’ve mentioned.
Be lucky