Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle.
Doncaster · Friday, 13 Mar · 20:20
· 2m 4f 181y
· Class 4
· TURF
WEIGHEDIN
Status
16:20
Off time
7
Runners
Good to Soft
Going
🎯 Tipster's 1·2·3
Sporting Life pick
🏆 Top pick
SHOTGUN RIDER (IRE
🥈 Second
MEATLOAF (FR
🥉 Third
SARACEN BEAU (IRE
Betting forecast
Market prediction · 7 runners · sorted by price
01 · 🏆 FAV
3.50
5/2
02 · 🥈 2nd
4.20
16/5
03 · 🥉 3rd
4.50
7/2
04 · —
6
5/1
05 · —
6.50
11/2
06 · —
13
12/1
07 · —
29
28/1
Sporting Life forecast prices — published the night before the race. Top 3 highlighted as market favourites.
Runners
| Pos | No. | Dr | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Wgt | Best decimal odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | — |
Saracen Beau (G)
FAV
Made successful hurdles debut for Nicky Richards in November 2024 and ran well back with yard when third of 9 in Newcastle handicap 20 days ago. Can make his presence felt stepping back up in trip now.
|
Danny McMenamin | N G Richards | 7 | 76.2 kg |
3.50
5/2
|
| 6th | 2 | — |
Meatloaf (G)
Yet to score this term but he's progressed with each of his three runs, posting a very good third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton in January. That form has been franked so he's a likely player nudged up 1 lb.
|
Freddie Keighley | P F Nicholls | 7 | 74.8 kg |
4.20
16/5
|
| 2nd | 3 | — |
Joltin N Jiving (G)
[T1]
Irish point winner who also landed Carlisle novice last February. Got back on track when second on return/handicap bow at Kelso but well below par both runs since, latest at Catterick after a breathing operation. Tongue tie is added here.
|
B S Hughes | D McCain Jnr | 6 | 74.8 kg |
4.50
7/2
|
| 4th | 4 | — |
Bitsnbuckles (G)
[T]
Ended a losing run stretching back over two years in 9-runner handicap hurdle at Southwell last month. Up 7 lb but not taken lightly in his current mood.
|
Lewis Stones | O Murphy | 8 | 72.6 kg |
13
12/1
|
| 5th | 5 | — |
Yealand (G)
[P]
Did well over fences last season, winning 3 times, and signed off for Jennie Candlish with a good second at Bangor in April. Needs to hit the ground running back hurdling for his new yard after 11 months off though.
|
Benjamin Macey | G Hanmer | 7 | 72.6 kg |
6.50
11/2
|
| 3rd | 6 | — |
Ballygeary (G)
[T]
Winless since June 2024 and fared no better after another breathing operation when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. This course winner has plenty to prove.
|
William Maggs | M E Sowersby | 9 | 72.1 kg |
29
28/1
|
| 7th | 7 | — |
Shotgun Rider (G)
[T]
Picked up for £155,000 after winning Irish point last spring. Had wind op before posting promising seconds in novice hurdles at Leicester and Market Rasen (tongue tied) either side of Christmas. Open to progress now going handicapping. Pla…
|
Toby McCain-Mitchell | N & W Twiston-Davies | 5 | 70.8 kg |
6
5/1
|
Betting forecast: Saracen Beau (5/2), Meatloaf (16/5), Joltin N Jiving (7/2), Shotgun Rider (5/1), Yealand (11/2), Bitsnbuckles (12/1), Ballygeary (28/1)
Prize money
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| P1 | 4066.0 GBP |
| P2 | 1871.0 GBP |
| P3 | 936.0 GBP |
| P4 | 468.0 GBP |
| P5 | 233.0 GBP |