Take Top to triumph in dramatic flat finale

TOP Tug can make his experience count and claim victory in the Betfred November Handicap at Doncaster.

The mile-and-a-half contest is the traditional feature as the curtain comes down on the Flat turf season on Town Moor and another maximum field of 23 runners will go to post.

The unexposed Royal Line is likely to be popular with punters as he bids to provide John Gosden with a record sixth victory, but a mile and a half on soft autumnal ground will be a decent test and at more rewarding odds, the ultra-consistent Top Tug is preferred.

Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute before joining Alan King in the spring of 2016, the six-year-old chestnut has won four times on the level and once over hurdles overall.

The son of Halling has enjoyed another fine season, adding to his tally at Goodwood and most recently finishing a fine second under a big weight at Leicester.

The winner that day, Dance The Dream, also lines up at Doncaster, but Top Tug is marginally better off at the weights and is capable of reversing the form.

Teruntum Star can continue his progression in the Betfred Mobile Wentworth Stakes.

Kevin Ryan’s sprinter has really flourished in the second of the season, following up narrow verdict at Ripon with an authoritative display in a lucrative event at York last month.

He has more on his plate stepped up to Listed class, but he is clearly in the form of his life.