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ALAN is out to bring the curtain down on a successful Flat turf season with Royal Line fancied to land the highly competitive November Handicap
Doncaster 3.15
ROYAL LINE (3.15) can further improve John Gosden’s excellent record in the Betfred November Handicap at Doncaster.
Gosden has landed the big end-of-season handicap five times and Royal Line has the profile of an improving three-year-old on an easy surface. The colt wasn't spotted on a racecourse until September when mopping up an average maiden at Windsor.
Royal Line was on and off the bridle for a long way that day and hung left when hitting the front on his next start at Haydock (heavy), so he may not be totally straightforward. In fairness, he has had only a trio of races and is still gaining experience.
Although finishing last of three at Newbury, Royal Line ran into a couple of smart sorts in Time To Study and Duke Of Bronte. Soft ground would be ideal for Royal Line.
Gosden saddled another three-year-old, Cape Cova, to finish third last year behind Godolphin’s Prize Money. The boys in blue rely on Syphax this year. The three-year-old tackles 1m 4f on soft ground for the first time but the son of Arch is bred to enjoy conditions on Town Moor.
Syphax, trained for Godolphin by Kevin Ryan, has enjoyed a four-week break since chasing home Dark Red in a competitive York handicap over an extended 1m 2f trip. He led over two out that day before getting done for speed, with useful Linguistic held in third.
Dance The Dream holds a recent advantage over Top Tug at Leicester but will do well to confirm placings having drawn a stinker in stall 23.
Doncaster 2.05
PERFECT PASTURE (2.05) underlined his well-being with an emphatic midweek victory at Nottingham from Clem Fandango and could well reward an each-way interest iat big odds in the Betfred Mobile Wentworth Stakes.
That latest victory came over 5f but Perfect Pasture edged out Flying Pursuit over course and distance at the end of October. Nothing separates that pair but Flying Pursuit could find himself a bit isolated in stall one.
Sir Dancealot is a talented three-year-old whose sixth to Aclaim in a Group 2 contest at Doncaster's St Leger meeting was an excellent effort. He showed his liking for the track when returning to give Jallota a beating and although both successes came over seven furlongs, he should cope with the drop in trip.
Dream Of Dreams ran Sir Dancealot to under a length at York last October and should go well.
Aintree 1.40
In the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Aintree, LOUIS’ VAC POUCH (1.40) can build on a most promising return at Chepstow when a staying-on sixth to Court Minstrel.
The form of that big handicap is already working out, with eighth horse Bags Groove scoring since at Aintree and runner-up Wholestone finishing an excellent second to Colin’s Sister in a Graded hurdle at Wetherby last weekend.
Louis’ Vac Pouch could never strike a blow at Chepstow after making a blunder at the third flight but really found his stride in the straight. Aintree’s flat, galloping track should suit and the five-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement.
At bigger odds, Forza Milan should go well for Jonjo O'Neill.
The five-year-old proved a disappointing favourite on his return to action at Worcester following a 205-day absence, finishing only sixth to Holly Bush Henry.
However, the ground may have been a bit lively for Forza Milan that day and he is better judged on his emphatic Chepstow triumph (soft) in February when landing some shrewd bets.
Wincanton 3.00
ZUBAYR (3.00) should be on the premises in the Unibet Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.
Paul Nicholls gave him a couple of spins on the Flat this summer to keep him ticking over and Zubayr ran really well in this race last year before falling at the final flight.
He was just held at the time by classy Sceau Royal but is pretty smart on his day, as shown when beaten only a short head by Chesterfield in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April.
Nicky Henderson’s Lough Derg Spirit was a novice with a tall reputation last season and will be fancied by many to make a winning reappearance, although this is a fairly tough assignment.
Wincanton 3.35
MR MIX (3.35) defends an unblemished record at Wincanton as Paul Nicholls steps the six-year-old up in class in the Badger Ales Trophy.
This 3m 1f handicap is always a very competitive affair and Mr Mix is up 5lb for a recent course success over an extended 3m 2f trip. He also scored over hurdles here on Boxing Day and has the profile of an upwardly mobile horse.
Double Shuffle is far more exposed but continues to perform at a high level.
He beat last Saturday’s feature handicap winner Go Conquer when they clashed at Kempton’s big Boxing Day fixture and made a most satisfactory return when finishing second at Chepstow over a distance short of his very best.
The handicapper has got him in his grips but a 3lb claimer will help on that score.
Wolverhampton 5.20
SILVER LINK (5.20) has been expensive to follow but she deserves another chance now returning to the Polytrack at Wolverhampton.
She didn't appear to enjoy the soft ground at Redcar last time but an earlier fourth to Fire Jet at Nottingham has worked out very well, with placed horses St Mary's and Melinoe winning next time.
Silver Link was beaten at odds-on on her previous visit to Wolverhampton in July, but winner Zack Mayo has won twice since, the latest off an 85 rating.
If Silver Link could repeat that run she would probably be too strong for Godolphin's Chelmsford City third Ocean Of Love.
Recommended bets
- Doncaster (3.15) – Royal Line 13-2 Betway
- Doncaster (2.05) – Perfect Pasture ew 12-1 McBookie
- Aintree (1.40) – Louis Vac Pouch 9-4 Paddy Power
- Wincanton (3.00) – Zubayr 11-2 Bet365, Paddy Power
- Wincanton (3.35) – Mr Mix 12-1 888Sport, Bet365
- Wolverhampton (5.20) – Silver Link 3-1 McBookie
In December 2020 we sadly 
