By Ryan Skidmore
Wincanton
12:40 - Rose Of Arcadia 10/3 WIN
Rose Of Arcadia looks to be back at the top of her game now and is clearly a mare to follow while she is in such good form. A winner of a couple of points in the spring and returned to hurdles for Joe Tizzard to win easily at Chepstow, justifying strong market support that day. It is no surprise that she received a 7lb hike in the weights for that success as she couldn't have won any easier, but she clearly has a good chance of backing that up today at Wincanton.
Doncaster
12:50 - Art Power 5/2 WIN
Tim Easterby's grey flattered to deceive at Ascot in the Champions Sprint, despite everything looking in his favour he could only manage an 8th placed finish. However, there is cause for optimism today as his record in anything in lower grade affairs is pretty impeccable. This son of Dark Angel has won his last 3 races in Grade 3's and despite a penalty today against some decent rivals, this listed race is one where he clearly has strong claims and with conditions to suit, connections will be bullish of his chances.
Aintree
13:36 - Ree Okka 2/1 WIN
Harry Fry definitely purchase Ree Okka with chasing in mind, and he looks on a tempting mark of 128 for his handicap debut over fences. This point winner won a pair of novice hurdles up to 3 miles in good style last season, before slightly disappointing in a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Sandown when well backed into favourite. He has had a wind surgery over the summer suggesting something was possibly up with his breathing at Sandown and he also runs with a first-time tongue tie today, hopefully these little tinkers can help him improve further.
Wincanton
13:50 - Frodon 7/2 2pt WIN
Frodon is a legend of the jumping game and his partnership with Bryony Frost is one that the public have really latched on to. Paul Nicholls was targeting the Down Royal Champion Chase for his 3 time Grade 1 winner, to repeat the dosage of his victory last year. However, plans had to be changed due to the ground over there being very testing. Fortunately, the Badger Beer handicap at Wincanton looks a fantastic opportunity for Frodon, as he looks set to be the class angle of the race.
The handicapper has been very generous dropping him 6lb for his run in the Ultima handicap which just didn't suit him as he got stuck in midfield due to a false start. As long as Bryony can get him to the front and control this race, he will take some stopping off a mark of 158. Year after year, the jumping of many horses in this race fall apart and Frodon will really test them with his jumping a key attribute. With Nicholls clearly having him fit and primed for a big race at Down Royal, he will be very hopeful he can keep up his red-hot form, as right now he is operating at a 39% strike rate, with 16 winners from 41 runners over the last 14 days.
Wincanton
15:00 - Sceau Royal 1/1 WIN
Sceau Royal is an owner's dream as he just keeps mopping up valuable pots in line with the massive array of opportunities the British racing calendar gives him. There looks to no reason for him not to win again today despite carrying a 6lb penalty against some useful rivals, and the chances are that Sceau Royal will be able to use his deadly turn of foot to win the Elite Hurdle for the 4th time in his career.
Doncaster
15:13 - Nathanael Greene 15/2 Each Way
A typically competitive renewal of this handicap and William Haggas will be looking to cap a fine season with his progressive 3 year-old gelding Nathanael Greene.
He is a horse who has been working his way through the handicap marks this season and he has already won one big pot at Haydock in July when getting the better of a strong field. The 2nd that day, Giavellotto, finished 3rd in the St Leger and the 6th, 8th, 9th and 12th have all won competitive handicaps since too. He then came off a big break at York to run well finishing 4th, possibly finding the ground too fast, but he will really relish conditions today at Doncaster, with the testing ground certainly in his favour. I think all involved will be expecting a big run and with extra places available he looks a very solid each way bet.
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