Doncaster preview: Canelo the headline act in Grimthorpe Handicap Chase

Doncaster Racecourse stages an excellent seven-race card on Saturday which features the £37,500 Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.
Action at Doncaster. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty ImagesAction at Doncaster. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Action at Doncaster. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The opening race of the meeting gets underway at 1.45pm, with the finale at 5.15pm. We have previewed the pick of the action with stats and analysis.

Staged over three miles and two furlongs, the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (3.30pm) boasts an impressive roll of honour which includes in recent years The Last Samuri (2016) and Definitly Red (2017). This year’s renewal is live on ITV and features 2019 winner Chidswell. Trained by Nicky Richards, the 12-year-old is a veteran of these staying handicap chases and his course form could prove pivotal here. However, he does take on a number of unexposed rivals.

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Chief amongst those is Canelo for Alan King. A winner of two of his last four starts, he was not disgraced when a good fourth in Listed company at Doncaster last time out and is a leading player.

Top-weight Beware The Bear shaped with promise when fifth in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November and looks another with live chances, despite disappointing in a Listed event at Ascot last time out. Just A Sting needs to bounce back from a number of backward efforts of late, but would also have claims on his best form. The seven runners are completed by Red Infantry, Special Prep and Chef D’Oeuvre.

Elsewhere, the £20,000 Handicap Chase (2.55pm) features the talented Getaway Trump for Paul Nicholls. The eight-year-old was arguably disappointing when only second at Musselburgh last time out but looks a leading player in this event.

Rikoboy is another horse in form having won at Market Rasen in December, when running with credit when second at Musselburgh last time out. He looks the main danger along with Ballywood who could improve on the back of wind surgery for Alan King.

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Zoffee won at Exeter in October, before finishing fourth at Newbury in November and must enter calculations along with course and distance winner Duke Of Navan who is now a 13-year-old. Movie Legend and Return Ticket complete the seven runners.

Across the rest of the card, Wynn House headlines nine runners in the £20,000 Listed Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2.20pm). Alan King’s mare was an excellent fourth in a Graded event at Cheltenham last time out and looks like being suited by this three mile trip.

Other leading players include Go Millie Go who is chasing a hat-trick following victories at Stratford and Exeter,. Alpha Carinae is also progressing through the ranks and is better than she showed when fourth at Warwick last time. Local trainer Phil Kirby also has an interesting runner with Rayna’s World who was a solid fourth in a Graded event at Sandown on her latest start.

Doncaster Saturday selections

1.45pm - Hydroplane

2.20pm - Wynn House

2.55pm - Getaway Trump

3.30pm - Canelo

4.05pm – De Forgotten One

4.40pm - Kildimo

5.15pm – Punxsutawney Phil

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert

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