2.30pm Doncaster Tips & Betting Preview 09/02/2017

The second race of the day at Doncaster is a handicap hurdle over the two mile and four furlong trip, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Listed bumper winner SNOW LEOPARDESS showed her quirks when winning here last time out when losing concentration up the home straight, but she sets the form standard with her bumper form also taken into account and if jumping better she should be able to put these to the sword today for Charlie Longsdon. She’ll likely to be tough to catch as this longer trip is also likely to be in her favour with conditions to suit. She can see off both Mariah’s Legend and Creep Desbois, who both remain with potential.

1 ATOMIX – Has shown some useful form at points including placing at Newcastle in November (2m, Good to Soft), but hasn’t gone on from that and was very poor when last seen, finishing tailed off at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day (2m 3f, Good). Didn’t look to stay the trip that day, jumping poorly also and it’s very hard to build a case for her on that basis, as there is no reason to believe he’ll stay this far form his pedigree. Probably best watched for Peter Niven and Henry Brooke.

2 BALLYNORTH BENNY – Won on his sole point to point start in Ireland but hasn’t cut much ice since joining Graeme McPherson, running poorly in a bumper at Haydock on rules debut (1m 7f, Heavy) and was never cited when midfield (tailed off) in a big field maiden at Exeter on hurdling debut (2m 7f, Soft). Drops in trip which may help on ground he should be content with, but will need a huge jolt of progress if he’s to be involved today. Isn’t entirely discounted but others have a more compelling argument.

3 CREEP DESBOIS – Showed promise in bumpers and continued that when a good fifth on hurdling debut at Newbury in December, (2m 2f, Good to Soft). A bad mistake at the third last ended all hope of winning at Wetherby on his second hurdling start when in second place (2m 3f, Good to Soft), and much better can be expected of him yet. Nico De Boinville takes the ride for Ben Pauling and he looks one of the main dangers today with arguably some of the best form on offer.

4 MARIAH’S LEGEND – Nothing special in bumpers but ran out a promising winner at Huntingdon on hurdling debut in January (2m 4f, Good to Soft), staying on much the strongest. Likely to come on leaps and bounds from that first run and any amount of progress can now be expected with conditions to suit. Amy Murphy has had winners in recent week and Jack Quinlan is also in the winners so this five year old by Flying Legend is a likely type and has to be respected.

5 NOVEMBERSTORM  Showed promise when second on bumper debut at Worcester in June (2m, Good) but has not gone on from that, poor into two hurdling runs since. Although fifth on his latest run at Doncaster (2m 3f, Good), he was beaten a long way in not the strongest of contests. Needs to improve if he’s to be considered for even the placings and isn’t one that can be put forward despite having a seven pound claimer on board.

6 PETRUCCI – Regressive horse on the flat for Derek Shaw and has been in poor form for the majority of his flat career. One win from ten in that discipline and there was no reason to believe that he’ll improve for going hurdling, with no guarantee he’ll stay this far either. Impossible to recommend.

7 ROCKPORTIAN – Point to point and bumper winner who hasn’t been disgraced thus far over hurdles, finishing third on his latest start at Wetherby in January (2m, Good to Soft). Those weren’t bad efforts but much more is required now for win purposes here but he may improve for the step up in trip, especially if he settles better. Definete place chances if those two statements do ring true but seems vulnerable for win purposes on what he’s show thus far.

8 SNOW LEOPARDESS – Listed bumper winner at Gowran Park back in September and has ran well over hurdles thus far, finishing third on hurdling debut at Newbury in a competitive looking race. Despite almost stopping before one of the hurdles when losing concentration last time out here in November, she still managed to win with something in hand, despite it being quite the scare for backers. If she jumps better today she’ll likely to be tough to catch as this longer trip is also likely to be in her favour, so has to be respected for Charlie Longsdon with Aiden Coleman taking the ride.

9 WOODFORT – Another to show promise in bumpers, including a win at Ffos Las in October (1m 7f, Soft). Made a fair start over hurdles when eight at Ludlow (1m 7f, Good to Soft), although beaten a long way, and was again beaten by nearly 25 legnths at Taunton last month (2m 7f, Good). Remains with scope for progress but those two runs do indicate she may well be vulnerable again today, as she seems rather one paced. Place claims at best.