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12.55pm, Doncaster – Mercutio Rock
MERCUTIO ROCK makes his handicap debut here off what looks an appealing opening mark. Fourth on his debut in a Chepstow bumper, that was probably a fair race as the winner was second in a Listed bumper on his next start and the second won his next start.
Mercutio Rock was then second on his hurdles debut at Chepstow when over three lengths behind the now 124-rated The Grey Falco. He was then fourth in a decent looking Uttoxeter maiden hurdle where the winner is now rated 127 and the second is rated 122. That all suggests that Mercutio Rock is well treated off 112 and he is very likely to improve for the switch to handicaps.
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1.10pm, Lingfield – Give em The Slip
GIVE EM THE SLIP is well bred with her dam placing in the 1,000 Guineas and there was plenty of promise in her debut effort at Newmarket last June. She was only narrowly beaten that day over six furlongs and that form is working out nicely.
The winner was a decent fifth in the Group 2 Albany Stakes on her only subsequent start and every other horse from that race, bar the third, managed to win a race last season. Give Em The Slip has obviously had a setback after that debut but if she can ever run to that level here, she should prove very difficult to beat.
2.40pm, Doncaster – Bobhopeornohope
This race has a real wide-open feel to it and Paddy is paying 4 places. I am going to side with BOBHOPEORNOHOPE who is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles. He showed fair form over hurdles despite that trip always being on the short side for him but he has shown a cracking attitude in his two hurdles wins to date.
At Exeter he beat the re-opposing Ask A Honey Bee and then followed up at Doncaster under a penalty, battling on really well when coming under pressure.
Both of those wins were over two miles and five furlongs on good ground but he did win his point on soft ground and his breeding suggests he could even improve for soft ground. He looks sure to improve for the extra stamina test and while he might look in trouble at the top of the Doncaster straight, I believe he will keep finding and prove difficult to pass.
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3.15pm, Doncaster – Musical Slave
Cap Du Nord is a worthy favourite with good form and the last time out run when second to Royale Pagaille looking red-hot. But I am going to take him on with MUSICAL SLAVE in a race where Paddy is paying 5 places.
Musical Slave has a lovely racing weight and runs for connections who won this race in 2015 with If In Doubt (hopefully Musical Slave jumps better though). He is very much unexposed at the three mile trip, is only previous run over the distance resulted in a close second to Sam’s Adventure at Uttoxeter.
That form looks solid. Musical Slave was a massive eye-catcher at Newbury on his reappearance over 2m 4f, where he would have gone very close to winning, but for a shuddering error at the final fence. The step up in trip promises to suit and he should go close with a clear round of jumping.
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Frank Hickey’s bet summary – Saturday, January 30
12.55pm, Doncaster – Mercutio Rock
1.10pm, Lingfield – Give em The Slip
2.40pm, Doncaster – Bobhopeornohope
3.15pm, Doncaster – Musical Slave
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