2.40pm Doncaster Tips & Betting Preview 29/12/2016

9 go to post for a competitive handicap hurdle at Doncaster, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It’ll be a challenge for AMI DESBOIS to concede weight to all his rivals, but it is one he will certainly give a good go at. He’s been much improved since the introduction of a tongue tie and ran with lots of credit when second at Cheltenham in a Grade 2, so he may well be able to cope with the 7lb rise. Ten Sixty and Abricot De L’Oasis are unlikely to be too far behind.

1 AMI DESBOIS – The tongue tie has dramatically improved him and ran with huge amount of credit when just being outgunned at Cheltenham earlier this month in a Grade 2 (2m 7f, Soft). Has a lot on his plate from top weight but if repeating that latest Cheltenham run he may be able to concede it as he clearly likes the Town Moor, running well on all three attempts here. Needs a huge amount of respect despite the 7lb rise.

2 TRUSTAN TIMES – Is on a decent mark if judged upon his previous efforts from 2014, but hasn’t been seen since pulling up at Ayr in the Scottish Grand Prix in April 2015 (3m 7f, Good) when with Tim Easterby. Stable debut for Mark Walford today who is in very good form but probably best watched today after a 621 day absence.

3 ABRICOT DE L’OASIS – Battled on well but just denied by Ten Sixty at Leicester (2m 4f, Good), conceding 4lb to him that day. Is 1lb better off with him today but going up in distance is very much an unknown and finished very tired on his latest attempt when 5th at Chepstow in February over 2m 7f, but if managing to stay then he’d have a great chance today of reversing the form.

4 MOIDORE – Has finished fourth the last twice after two wins earlier in the year, well beaten on both occasions. Needs to show much more to feature today and there are much more solid options in the contest.

5 PARISH BUSINESS – Has been quite the mixed bag over hurdles and won on his penultimate start at Fontwell (2m 5f, Good to Soft) but flopped at Kempton back in November when well beaten (2m 5f, Good).

6 TEN SIXTY – Showed good enough form last season and returned much improved this season when just getting the better of Abricot De L’Oasis at Leicester over shorter (2m 4f, Good). Stepping up in distance today isn’t sure to suit as he flopped at this distance at Cheltenham in April, not looking as though he stayed the whole trip (3m, Good). Will be interesting to see if he can keep the places the same with his old rival and has as good a chance as any in this today.

7 OH LAND ABLOOM – Consistent for Neil King without managing to notch up a win, finishing a good enough 3rd at Uttoxeter on his latest start, albeit well beaten (2m 3f, Good). Steps up in distance which is no problem and probably a help but doesn’t strike as the likeliest winner and probably playing for places again today.

8 CHASE END CHARLIE – Fell 2 out over fences at Bangor on his penultimate start and that looked to have shaken his confidence as he was a poor 9th of 12 at Ascot on his latest start jumping very slowly on multiple occasions. (2m 5f, Good to Soft). Hard to recommend today based on that.

9 TRACKMATE – Was formerly quite useful over hurdles but has been well below par this year, tailing off on both starts and is impossible to recommend.