Portland Handicap Affair
A top class day of competitve racing with the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes and St Leger top class races.
We look at the 22 runner Portland Heritage Handicap which is a cavalry charge over 5.5 furlongs at Doncaster. Enjoy a fantastic day of horse racing.
American Affair is running consistently well all season. He has won twice and never out of the first three from all six runs. I keep remembering how he destroyed a field of good sprinters at Thirsk last June off a rating of 80. He has proved well up to running well of his current mark of 92 such as when finishing a close third at Haydock last weekend. I think the extra half furlong will help American Affair who runs best on ground with some give in it. Paul Mulrennan is back in the plate riding close to his minimum weight at 8-13. A high draw in stall 22 could work out nicely with likely front runner Get It drawn nearby in 18.
Holkham Bay can bounce back following a poor run at York during the Ebor meeting when drawn on the wrong side. Previously, he romped to victory at Ascot on Shergar Cup Day over a stiff five furlongs on good ground. The handicapper was impressed, raising Holkham Bay 10lbs to a career high mark of 97. He won earlier this season over six furlongs at York so we know he will get this trip no problem. Brandon Wilkie rides this horse regularly and his 5lb claim reduces the weight to be carried from 9-3 to 8-12. Trainer William Knight mentioned following his Ascot win that the owners are keen on this race and that a strong pace on a flat course is key to this premium sprinter.
Of the rest I thought Vintage Clouds looks well handicapped but is risky as he can blow the start and doesn't win in these valuable handicaps very often. Jm Jungle won nicely at York recently but does seem to be best on good to firm ground. Cover Up was a tad unlucky at York when not getting a clear run. He is well drawn near the pace today. Cover Up runs best when held up so will require luck in running and has gone short down as the current favourite.
Doncaster 2:25
0.5 point each way American Affair 7/1 Skybet 7 places else 7/1 Paddy Power, Betfair SB, Bet365 & Betway, all 6 places.
0.5 point each way Holkham Bay 12/1 Skybet, 7 places else 14/1 Paddy Power & William Hill, 6 places.
Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Best of Luck,
Nicky
Past Results
Click to see past Big Saturday Race Preview Tips results
The Portland Handicap is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 5 furlongs and 143 yards (1,137 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
History
The event was established in 1855, and for a period it was known as the Portland Plate. The original course started opposite a coaching inn called Red House, and it featured a left-handed bend at about halfway. The race was later transferred to a straight course.
The Portland Handicap is held during Doncaster's four-day St. Leger Festival, and it is currently staged on the final day, the same day as the St Leger Stakes.
Betfred Portland Heritage Handicap Winners Over The Past 10 years
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Annaf | 4 | 9-12 | Rossa Ryan | Michael Appleby | 7/1 | |
| 2022 | Call Me Ginger[b] | 6 | 8-07 | Amie Waugh | Jim Goldie | 20/1 | |
| 2021 | Hurricane Ivor | 4 | 9-10 | Tom Marquand | William Haggas | 11/2 F | |
| 2020 | Stone of Destiny | 5 | 9-00 | Silvestre de Sousa | Andrew Balding | 16/1 | |
| 2019 | Oxted | 3 | 9-04 | Cieren Fallon | Roger Teal | 14/1 | |
| 2018 | A Momentofmadness | 5 | 9-04 | William Buick | Charles Hills | 25/1 | |
| 2017 | Spring Loaded | 5 | 8-09 | Joey Haynes | Paul D'Arcy | 12/1 | |
| 2016 | Captain Colby | 4 | 9-00 | William Buick | Ed Walker | 6/1 | |
| 2015 | Steps | 7 | 9-07 | Louis Steward | Roger Varian | 12/1 | |
| 2014 | Muthmir | 4 | 9-07 | Paul Hanagan | William Haggas | 3/1 F |
Best of Luck,
Nicky