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Tonic needed at Doncaster

3 minute read

Get A Tonic can register a first Listed victory in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

Trainer : DAN SKELTON.

The six-year-old ran a cracker at this level at Warwick last month, being beaten three lengths by a fine yardstick in Marie's Rock in what was just her fifth hurdles start.

While the winner – who is smart on her day – had plenty in hand, Get A Tonic deserves plenty of credit as she was 15lb worse off with Marie's Rock than she would have been in a handicap, marking up her performance significantly.

Get A Tonic also has some nice form in finishing third to Hillcrest in January and Dan Skelton has made no secret of the regard in which he holds this mare.

A winner over three miles in point to point company in 2020, this switch up in trip is another positive factor and the conditions of the race give her an advantage of 9lb or more with each of her rivals.

Le Milos can complete his hat-trick in the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.

Tim Vaughan's charge started the campaign on a mark of 128 but has made rapid headway and now sits on a career-high of 143 for this three-and-a-quarter-mile contest.

He edged up 2lb for a close-up second on his initial run at Exeter in November but took a massive leap forward when cruising home by seven and a half lengths at Exeter on New Year's Day.

Le Milos then defied a 9lb hike to follow up at Sandown, albeit by just a head in what was a thoroughly competitive heat, digging deep to cling on at the line.

He has to contend with another 4lb rise here, but Le Milos could still have some scope to meet that challenge.

Itchy Feet can make his fitness tell and snap a losing run stretching back a couple of years in the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso.

Espoir De Romay would be a clear pick on the ratings, but his lack of a run since October tempers enthusiasm a little and preference is for Olly Murphy's runner.

Itchy Feet has not got his head in front since lifting a Sandown Grade One two years ago, but he has run some fine races in the interim, including his recent fourth at Lingfield in January.

Beaten just under three lengths in fourth in the Fleur De Lys Chase, Itchy Feet was out the back early on before making late progress, with the form looking very strong given winner Two For Gold's subsequent second in the Ascot Chase and third horse Bristol De Mai running a screamer in Haydock's Grand National Trial.

Itchy Feet switches up to just short of three miles here, but given his resolute Lingfield effort, the distance might be within his scope.

Laura Morgan is making a real name for herself, currently boasting a strike rate of 44 per cent, and Bold Endeavour could be the horse to give her a Grade Two breakthrough in the bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle.

Unbeaten in four starts – one in point company, one in a bumper and two over hurdles – Bold Endeavour is clearly a useful tool, with his most recent 12-length stroll at Wetherby representing his toughest test yet.

This event is obviously another level still, but Bold Endeavour is a horse who is on a rapid upward trajectory – a comment that also applies to his trainer.

Senior Citizen has his first start since finishing second in the Grand Sefton as he lines up in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.

He was a winner first time out for Alan King at Market Rasen in October before switching to the National fences to run an excellent race in defeat in second, beaten a length by Mac Tottie.

Equally as able over regulation fences as the Aintree obstacles, he can overcome his recent absence.

At the other end of the scale, One Night Stand is back for more at Lingfield just a week after making every yard to score a neck victory at Listed level at the Surrey track.

He tackles the Betway Handicap and and can make it a quickfire double.

El Caballo can book his ticket for All-Weather Finals Day by making it a third win on the bounce this winter in the Listed Coral Spring Cup Stakes, while My Dubawi can strike gold in Southwell's Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap.

SELECTIONS:

DONCASTER: 1.45 Universal Folly, 2.20 GET A TONIC (NAP), 2.55 Cedar Hill, 3.30 Le Milos, 4.05 Imphal, 4.40 Silver Flyer, 5.15 Theatre Man.

KELSO: 1.00 Genuflex, 1.32 Bold Endeavour, 2.05 Native Fighter, 2.40 Itchy Feet, 3.15 Cormier, 3.43 Dino Velvet, 4.25 Here We Have It.

LINGFIELD: 12.49 Reticent, 1.24 Blazer Two, 1.59 Sir Joseph Swan, 2.35 Mordred, 3.09 The Defiant, 3.50 One Night Stand, 4.19 El Caballo, 4.54 Famous Star.

NAVAN: 1.10 Douglas Dc, 1.40 Pure Sirloin, 2.13 Jumping Jet, 2.48 Gain De Cause, 3.23 Pat's Pick, 3.58 Gentleman De Mee, 4.32 Kavanaghs Corner, 5.05 All Class.

NEWBURY: 1.15 Saint Xavier, 1.50 Senior Citizen, 2.27 Irish Hill, 3.02 Black Poppy, 3.37 Bold Plan, 4.12 Major Dundee, 4.47 Captain Destiny.

SOUTHWELL: 5.00 Antagonize, 5.30 Red Kite, 6.00 Custard The Dragon, 6.30 My Dubawi, 7.00 Man Of Riddles, 7.30 Airshow, 8.00 Chief White Face, 8.30 Tiger Jet.

DOUBLE: Get A Tonic and El Caballo.


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