4.00pm Doncaster Tips & Betting Preview 18/06/2017

This is a Class 3 handicap raced over 6 furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Robert Cowell’s EVERGATE has been in good form of late and he can complete a double today following a good success last time out. He will be better suited to Doncaster and can make use of his weight-for-age allowance. Dougan is on a nice mark but his record on turf is poor whilst Ashpan Sam is also well-handicapped but hasn’t been as good away from Epsom.

1 PIPERS NOTE – Arrives here on the back of a success last time out at Ripon when he was all out to win off a 3lb lower mark. He’s kept over 6 furlongs today and races off a heavy 10st 3lbs which leaves him as the clear top weight. The yard have been in good form of late with a 14% strike rate in the past fortnight and he should put in a bold bid off what still looks to be a fair mark in Class 3 company.

2 WENTWORTH FALLS – Completed a quick double over 6 furlongs earlier this season and he races off a 4lb higher mark than the latest of those victories. That leaves him on a career high mark today but he was supported last time out at York in a tougher race than this and the drop back in grade could see him bounce right back to form. This C&D winner is of interest again today.

3 SON OF AFRICA – Tried in a hood today following some comfortable defeats towards the end of last year off a 2lb higher mark. He still remains 2lbs higher than his last career success and he will have to be sharp off a break to score in this which is not beyond question having won on racecourse debut. Worth a second look in the betting with the in-form Harry Bentley aboard (18% strike rate in the past fortnight).

4 DOUGAN – Without a win on turf from 9 starts which is a major negative although he is 6lbs lower than his last winning mark on the All-Weather. He finished 6 3/4 lengths behind the winner at Windsor earlier this month in a similar grade to todays and whilst David Egan’s 5lb claim will help, he looks up against it on these terms today. Best watched here on the back of some poor turf form.

5 RED PIKE – Without a win since August 2015 although he is starting to fall through the weights and is now 2lbs lower than his latest run where he finished seventh of thirteen, beaten 3 1/2 lengths. He should improve today now dropped down in grade and kept on the turf and there’s every chance this C&D runner could run a big race for a yard that know the time of day with their sprinters. Market support would be significant.

6 ISEEMIST – Was well-supported last time out at Goodwood and he finished second of seven over 6 furlongs on Good ground. That was a fair effort having found Listed company slightly too hot for him earlier in the season and he remains on a mark of 90 today. The yard have been in poor form of late without a winner from their last 10 runners although he should give a good account again today with Fergus Sweeney on board again.

7 ZANETTO – Returned to action with a victory at Thirsk at the end of April and the handicapper has raised him a hefty 6lbs for that success. He had slipped down the weights following some more than moderate efforts in Class 2 company and there’s every chance he will run well again today although this slight step up in grade will pose harder questions of him. Still conceivably well-handicapped and worth respect.

8 ASHPAN SAM – Has some fair form in the book that would entitle him to get competitive here although his losing streak now extends back to June 2015. His best efforts have come at Epsom and it’s no surprise to see him dropped another 2lbs following a moderate run at his favourite track last time out. He needs to do more to convince he’s nearing a return to form and he’s had chances in this grade previously. Opposed today.

9 BOSSIPOP – Both career successes have come in a weaker grade than this and on softer ground so today’s going is of real concern. He ran a decent enough race in a tougher grade than this last time out having been sent off 50/1 although he remains 4lbs higher than his last winning mark and conditions are likely to work against him here. Best opposed for a yard with an 8% strike rate in the past fortnight.

10 EVERGATE – One of two 3yo’s in today’s field and he arrives here on the back of a good success at Windsor last time out. He was ridden prominently that day and having drifted left, went on to win by a length. Doncaster should suit him better than Windsor and he’s well in on today’s terms so he’s likely to be popular with Silvestre De Sousa taking over in the saddle off a 4lb higher mark. Respected today.

11 SCOFFLAW – Second of today’s two 3yo’s and Richard Fahey’s runner is one pound lower for a poor effort at Leicester last time out. He finished last of 10, beaten 9 1/4 lengths and something was amiss that day having only faced a 6lb penalty. This is an equally tough race but he is well-in on these terms and Paul Hanagan takes over in the saddle. Risky prospect on the back of that last defeat.