Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Joe has a flying Machine
END-OF-SEASON ground always makes for a slog and a strong stayer is needed to prevail in the November Handicap
(3.15 Doncaster).
It’s an ancient race — this is it’s fourth home having landed on Town Moor in 1964 — and the 10-year trends to find the likely winner are:
Drawn nine or higher. Rated less than 100 and carrying under 9st 2lb.
Form over at least as far as today’s 1m4f trip on turf.
No older than seven. That leaves us with only six from the 23-strong field — Sir Chauvelin, Saunter, Azari, Royal Line, Machine Learner and Al Destoor.
could run into a place but winning looks beyond him.
saves a little for himself, while hold-up horse is unlikely to get competitive.
capitulated at Newbury on his previous outing and is probably best avoided today.
would have a better chance over 10 furlongs, so we are down to one —
He was held up for too long at Goodwood last month and it’s his close second in a red-hot Leopardstown handicap in September that catches the eye.
Trainer Joe Tuite took this contest with Litigent two years ago and we could be in business if Machine Learner is ridden close to the pace.
Have 2pts each-way at 20-1 with bet365 (five places).