Horse Racing

Saturday Doncaster top racing tip: Demachine primed for big race in optimum conditions

Steve JonesSteve Jones28 January 2023
Doncaster Racecourse

Doncaster Racecourse

On a bumper horse racing Saturday, Tipstrr pundit Steve Jones has managed to picked out his one best bet, with Demachine catching his expert eye in Doncaster's richest race of the day.

The strong early favourite in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase is Ga Law, but he is carrying eight pounds more than when he won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, and is now stepping up to a distance he has never attempted before, so he might be a bit short under the circumstances.

Looking past the favourite, a significant piece of form in respect of today's conditions is the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial at Newbury in November, when three of today's more likely candidates (Demachine, Java Point and Cap Du Nord) finished second, third and fifth respectively.

It was Demachine's first run following a break of 181 days, so he deserves extra credit for that return, while dropping back two furlongs on unsuitable soft ground at Cheltenham on his second run back still saw him manage a solid seventh of 16.
He will be much happier today, stepping up to three miles on a flat, galloping track, and back on the same good ground that he enjoyed for his final run before his last break, when he easily won the Class 2 Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter, despite a shorter than optimum trip.

15:15 (Doncaster) Demachine

Prior to that impressive win, his previous run had come in today's contest last season, when he was backed down to 5/1 second-favourite of 16 with a mark of 140, which, after riding claims, was effectively four pounds higher than today.

Travelling and jumping well for most of the race, he made stealthy headway and moved up into third place three out, but he couldn't race on in the closing stages, with his trainer later reporting that he had made a respiratory noise at that point.

That necessitated a wind operation the very next week and, on his return to action at Uttoxeter, he showed the benefit of that procedure by winning a valuable handicap very easily, before then finishing runner-up in what was another strong handicap at Newbury.

Today's race looked to have been targeted last season, especially when considering the market support, so there must be a good chance that it has again been targeted this term, given even more favourable circumstances.

Of the others, Cap Du Nord looks a decent option, as he will prefer today's trip, with all his best performances coming over three miles or further.

He finished a very creditable third of 11 in this race two seasons ago, despite ground that was softer than he has ever won on, while last year he finished third of 16 on better going.
Now operating off a mark that is a further four pounds lower, Cap Du Nord has to be taken seriously, even though he clearly is not quite the horse of a couple of seasons ago.

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