*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
12.55pm – Mercutio Rock
MERCUTIO ROCK, who shaped encouragingly on his sole bumper outing, was notably easy to back ahead of his hurdling debut at Chepstow in November, but he took to the discipline well despite not looking the finished article, no match for the winner but finishing a clear second. He very much caught the eye at Uttoxeter subsequently as well, not at all subjected to a hard ride, and there is every chance he could take off now sent handicapping.
1.30pm – Shishkin
SHISHKIN, Timeform’s highest-rated novice chaser, returns to action to enhance his Cheltenham credentials, and he is impossible to side against in this contest. Nicky Henderson’s Supreme winner has taken incredibly well to chasing, destroying his rivals in his two outings at Kempton this season, and with even more to come, another comfortable success should be forthcoming.
2.05pm – Marie’s Rock
MARIE’S ROCK proved herself a most exciting prospect when winning each of her three races last season, culminating in a stylish victory in a listed event at Taunton in December 2019, and though she lost her unbeaten record at Newbury on her return, she didn’t really get the chance to show what she could do on that occasion, incidents either side of the second last ending her chance. She remains with plenty of potential and is very much the one to beat here.
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2.40pm – Pats Fancy
After showing fair form in bumpers, PATS FANCY took his form up a notch or two as he made a successful hurdling debut at Ffos Las in November, looking a useful prospect as beat an impressive subsequent winner. He built on that when second in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, and considering he likely to progress further, he makes the most appeal in a competitive-looking affair.
3.15pm – Cap Du Nord
CAP DU NORD shaped well on his reappearance at Wincanton in November, and he duly confirmed the promise of that effort when landing the biggest pot of his career so far at Newbury later the same month, producing a career best to win readily. He improved again when runner-up at Kempton last time, beaten only by potential Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Royale Pagaille, and given the well-held third from that race has come out and won since, Cap Du Nord looks the one they all have to beat here.
3.50pm – Who’s In The Box
A winning pointer, WHO’S IN THE BOX has improved since being switched to fences this term, twice hitting the crossbar before getting off the mark at Market Rasen last time, showing himself to be a strong stayer with an attitude to match. That form has since received a boost – the runner-up a subsequent winner – and this lightly-raced seven-year-old makes plenty of appeal.
Horse Racing tips: Paul Jacobs’ 3 value plays for Saturday
4.25pm – Step To The Top
STEP TO THE TOP showed plenty of ability in her three bumpers last season, unlucky not to make more of a race of it when second at Warwick in February, and improving again to finish runner-up in listed company at Kempton in March, pulling nicely clear of the remainder of the field. She is the clear form pick in this race and is worth siding with despite her 10-month absence.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Timeform’s Doncaster bet summary – Saturday, January 30
12.55pm – Mercutio Rock
1.30pm – Shishkin
2.05pm – Marie’s Rock
2.40pm – Pats Fancy
3.15pm – Cap Du Nord
3.50pm – Who’s In The Box
4.25pm – Step To The Top
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