3.55pm Doncaster Tips & Betting Preview 02/04/2017

This is a really good 1m 4f contest at Doncaster, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There are some talented runners in this field and FRONTIERSMAN makes the most appeal. He couldn’t be more beautifully bred and there should be plenty more to come from him this season and he receives weight from the biggest danger here. The ground is a slight doubt but it shouldn’t be too soft by the start of today’s action. Muntahaa may give him the most to think about, now stepping down in grade following his fourth in the St Leger last year.

1 SANDRO BOTTICELLI – Sprung a surprise in this race last year, winning at the first time of asking for his new stable. He’s gone on to win since and proved a classy horse for John Ryan with some competitive efforts in listed company. He was very disappointing on his last start at Kempton having looked very flat and never able to mount a serious challenge. He should do better now returned to the turf but he has to give weight away to some decent rivals. Others make more appeal today.

2 MUNTAHAA – Highest rated horse in the field based on official ratings (113) and he’s one of two 4yo’s in the field. He won a listed race last summer before going on to finish fourth in the St Leger. That run was slightly disappointing given he was well-backed but he should be able to progress again this year and is dropped significantly in class here. His trainer is operating at a 27% strike rate in the last 14 days and he’s got an excellent chance to get back into winning form.

3 TAWDEEA – Won off a mark of 102 on his second to last start at Leicester last year and generally showed progressive form having begun his campaign on a mark of 87. His trainer sent out the winner of the Lincoln yesterday and he can obviously ready one first time out off a break. He looks versatile in terms of ground and he should put in a good showing here although slightly wrong at the weights with a couple of these. Worth a chance here but has generally needed his first run each season.

4 FRONTIERSMAN – Lightly-raced Dubawi colt who’s a half-brother to the excellent Australia. Both of his career victories have come on Good to Firm ground so there is a slight question mark regarding today’s Good to Soft, Good in places conditions. He won a maiden and a handicap last term (off a mark of 90) and this will require more although he did finish sixth of sixteen in a Group Three on his final start of last season and there should be a lot more to come this year. Respected at a decent price.

5 MALEFICENT QUEEN – Completed an impressive five-timer around this time last year and she rose from a mark of 78 to a 96 before her progression tailed off. She found life tougher in listed company and she could never land a low in the Qipco Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot at the end of last year. She has a bit to find with a few of her rivals here and she’s yet to win over this trip. Best watched for slightly easier assignments.

6 CHEMICAL CHARGE – Yet to finish out of the placings in 7 career starts including two victories and five seconds. Has switched between the Ralph Beckett and Ger Lyons stables across the past year and this a talented horse that has always promised to deliver in a race of this nature. Connections would have been disappointed with defeat in France at the end of last year and they begin their summer campaign here. Worthy of respect with more to come this year but others make more appeal again.

7 DESERT POINT – Non-Runner

8 SAIGON CITY – Yard have a poor 5% strike rate here (3 winners from 56 runners) and it would be a surprise to see his runner here win. He showed decent enough form over 2 miles last season which included a victory in a Class 3 handicap at York off a mark of 88. He’s been comfortably held off a mark of 92 since and this would require a massive step up in ability. One to watch when sent back up in trip in weaker company.