RACE PREVIEW & TIPS (FRIDAY)

14:10 Doncaster

The opening contest of Doncaster’s Friday meeting sees thirteen set to tackle the one mile trip where Star Shield looks worth following.

Northern based owners Middleham Park love a winner here at Doncaster and they look likely to add to their tally here. The four year old gelding put in a much improved run at Leicester last time where he finished third in a better grade of race on what was less than favourable soft ground. A drop in class and a return to a firmer surface are certain to aid his chances and hailing from the yard of David O’Meara, who certainly knows how to win handicaps of this nature, should be enough to see him triumph.

Course victor Hammer Gun rarely runs a bad race here at Doncaster and for that alone has to be respected.

De Vegas Kid aims to make it three wins in a row and if he continues to progress has a chance of doing so but this looks a tougher race than he’s been competing in of late and with another rise in weight to contend with this may be a step too far.Of the remainder the consistent Anna Bunina and top weight Mickey have decent outside shouts although I just cannot look past O’Meara’s charge.

STAR SHIELD (WIN)

The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:

20:40 Chester – SPARKLE IN HIS EYES (WIN)

The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:

14:10 Doncaster – STAR SHEILD (WIN)

East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:

15:45 Curragh – RAA ATOLL (WIN)

Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly:

17:40 Newmarket – TRULEE SCRUMPTIOUS (WIN)

Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:

19:20 Newmarket – GREEN ETOILE (WIN)