12.30pm Doncaster Tips & Betting Preview 01/12/2017

IN SUMMARY: An intriguing little race but back at his best trip it seems pretty obvious that a big run is expected from VALSEUR DU GRANVAL (Each Way), and with the Tom George horses running out of their skins he looks to have a far better chance than his price implies and is the value call this lunchtime.

1 INK MASTER – NON-RUNNER.

2 NICOLAS CHAUVIN – The nine-year-old won a novice chase at Huntingdon in May 2016 when trained by Nicky Henderson but found his handicap mark too high in every race since and moved to James Moffatt in June. Four runs later and his rating had been dropped to 120 after which he hacked up at Wetherby by an easy six lengths but he has been put up nine pounds for that and will need a career best to follow up here.

3 VALSEUR DU GRANVAL – Three wins from thirteen starts over fences and most recently seen when a weakening twenty-nine length fifth at Perth in July over half a mile further. He does appreciate the expected good going and only has six pounds more than his last victory and with the Tom George yard  in good form and back at a more suitable trip a big run is expected.

4 LITTLE POP – Only two pounds better off with Nicolas Chauvin for six lengths on Wetherby form and he did look a little one-paced that day and may need a step up in trip soon. Pulled up at Ascot off this rating but drops in class here and could do better with a place very much a possibility for our partner Nigel Twiston-Davies.

5 BLANDFORDS GUNNER – Trainer Richard Price adds first-time cheekpieces to the eight-year-old gelding on his first run for his new stable. One win from ten starts over fences when in the care of Evan Williams but none for Harry Whittington so he moves on again. Down three pounds after finishing last of five at Stratford in April but still has plenty to prove at present.

6 WELCOME BEN – One of the form options with three wins in a row at Kelso and ten Perth (twice) since having cheekpieces and a tongue tie added and not far away last month when beaten a length at Kelso. Should strip fitter now and he should run a big race despite being put up another five pounds by the handicapper to a career-high over fences.

7 NO CEILING – Ran an absolute blinder last time out on his return from almost eleven months off to finish fourth to Jarlath at Warwick over half a mile further. Only a seven-year-old with just the five starts over fences he has more room to improve than most and back at his favoured trip he really ought to get involved in the finish here despite the lacklustre form of the Ian Williams horses.

8 CHESTNUT BEN – More placed efforts than wins for the now twelve-year-old and he has to carry two pounds more than his allotted weight as well. His last win was off two pounds higher in April at Southwell but this looks that bit too strong for him on recent efforts and he won’t be improving at his age for trainer Peter Winks who is without a winner in the last two weeks.

Non-Runners:

1 INK MASTER