The final day of the UK turf season and its great to see 21 runners go to post in the November handicap. The ground is heavy so this is going to take getting with stamina a key ingredient to win.

Alan King is a dab hand with his flat handicappers. He won his race with On To Victory in 2020. While I respect the chances of On to Victory it is his other runner Tritonic that I am backing here. Tritonic won the Grade 2 Adonis hurdle at Kempton as a juvenile and finished fifth in the Greatwood hurdle at the Cheltenham November meeting last season. He will not no problem staying this trip of 1m4f on heavy ground. He finished fourth behind Epatante in the Christmas hurdle on Boxing Day last year so handles winter ground fine. Tritonic lost his form over hurdles at the backend of last season with Alan King mentioning that they learned he needs time between his races. He ran well on the flat in April coming second to Contact before returning last month to win decisively at Goodwood with Goshen flattered by the official neck margin. The handicapper has upped him 4lbs to a mark of 102, however thanks to the booking of Callum Hutchinson claiming 5lbs he races today off a mark of 97! Callum is the son of Wayne Hutchinson who was stable jockey to Alan King a few years ago.

Farhan is back to try and retain his crown having won this race impressively last season. He loves soft or worse ground and gets his ground tomorrow as it will be heavy. James and Susan Cookson paid a handsome 150k for this horse at the sales last month and are looking for a quick payback. Philip Kirby will just have kept Farhan ticking over as he is well fit following two recent runs on the flat following a break during the fast ground over the summer months. He won nicely at York in August before finding life too tough up to Group 3 level but in reality, much higher in a race won by 117 rated Hamish at Ascot. Farhan is drawn high in stall 22 but that is fine on heavy ground as they will most likely come up the middle or come over to the near side rail. Ryan Sexton is a top claiming jockey and great value for his 5lb claim. Farham races off a mark of 93 if counting his jockey’s claim which his just the 6lbs higher than when he won this race as a 3yo last season.

John Gosden has the big owners supporting his yard and there is no doubt that his runner and favourite Israr won impressively over course and distance on heavy ground two weeks ago. This race comes up quickly and he is 7lbs higher in the ratings off a mark of 106. If Israr wins this race carrying 9-11 as a 3yo then he could well prove a Group 1 horse next season!

Doncaster 3:13

0.5 point each way Tritonic 18/1 Paddy Power & Betfair SB, both 6 places.

0.5 point each way Farhan 16/1 Bet365, 6 places.

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Best of Luck,

Nicky