Paddy Brennan: “We are more than hopeful of a bold show. We like him”

DONCASTER

11.50am

Alexander James

This is a decent novices’ hurdle but we are pretty excited to be running our horse over hurdles for the first time. He was a very good horse on the Flat in France at around a mile, winning in Listed company, so he has to be a factor here if translating that ability to this sphere. It doesn’t always happen, but he has shown us more than enough to be hopeful of a bold show. We like him.

 

12.50pm

Twin Star

We won’t get into the right and wrongs of what happened at Taunton last time, but to put him up 5lb after losing the race in that fashion was a bit of an insult. That obviously makes his job tough here off a career-high mark, but at least he comes here in good form and conditions will suit whatever the weather does, as he is ground-versatile.

 

1.30pm

Belatrix Lestrange

I haven’t ridden her before but she looks a great ride to pick up, having won her last two. She has gone up 12lb for a couple of narrow victories but hopefully the improvement hasn’t stopped yet.

 

2.05pm

Hurricane Harvey

We could never get to the all-the-way winner in the Rising Stars over 2m4f at Wincanton last time, and hopefully the step up in trip will suit him. He has the pace for 2m4f, as he showed when previously winning at Uttoxeter, but he has always shaped as though a greater test of stamina wouldn’t go amiss. There is not much between all of the five in here, so we obviously have our chance, and any more rain will be fine.

 

3.15pm

Boldmere

He looks another great ride to pick up. He probably hasn’t quite been at his best this season but he has been dropped 3lb and returns to the course where he won so impressively last year. He would have followed up in the Grade 2 at Wetherby next time too, had he not fallen when in control at the last, so I think he is on a decent mark here. The stable had a near miss with Crosspark at Sandown on Saturday, but hopefully he can go one better.