Easterby’s Off Art to get punters off to a flyer as the Flat returns at Town Moor
THE FLAT is back. The Lincoln (3.50pm) is the feature race of the day at Doncaster and it’s always a competitive contest with 22 runners facing the starter for the one mile race.
Many argue punters should be looking for the proverbial “Group horse in a handicap”, but recent winners at 20/1, 25/1 and 16/1 suggest it rarely works out that way. It’s hardened, experienced handicappers that have had the steel to take this valuable prize of late.
I hope that will change, though, as the one I really like is OFF ART for the in-form Tim Easterby. The colt won all three starts last season, is a course winner, versatile ground-wise, and progressive.
Sneaking in off bottom-weight and with a good draw, the four-year-old looks terrific each-way value at 10/1 with BetBright, who are offering new customers a risk-free £20 free bet on the race and a free £10 bet on next Saturday’s Grand National.
Gabriel’s Kaka is BetBright’s 9/1 market leader as he bids to give his trainer Richard Fahey a second success in three years in this. However, I’m not sure a mark of 95 is particularly generous for a horse that has won just one of his last nine starts.
The Listed Cammidge Trophy (2.40pm) has been a graveyard for horses carrying a penalty and that puts me off the admirable Jack Dexter, who is looking for successive wins in this sprint.
Tropics is probably going to be a real force in Group races this term, but he too has to shoulder a penalty and, in receipt of 5lb, HEAVEN’S GUEST looks the call.
A smart horse on his day, Fahey will have him fitter than most and I’d be disappointed to see him out of the first three.
Finally, I’m in danger of following DANCE AND DANCE off a cliff, but if the eight-year-old can’t be competitive in the Spring Mile (3.15pm) I might just give up the game.
Rated 110 in his prime, Ed Vaughan’s charge runs off just 90 here and, with crack apprentice Oisin Murphy taking another 3lb off, he looks too well-treated to ignore at a fair 11/1 with BetBright.
Pointers…
HEAVEN’S GUEST 2.40pm Doncaster (tomorrow)
DANCE AND DANCE e/w 3.15pm Doncaster (tomorrow)
OFF ART e/w 3.50pm Doncaster (tomorrow)
@BillEsdaile