Top Tug has what it takes to pull in a winner

Curtain will come down on Flat season at Doncaster

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. 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 a narrow verdict at Ripon with an authoritative display in a lucrative event at York last month.

Vintage Folly has only made the track on three occasions in 2017, meaning she is fresher than most heading into the Betfred TV EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Gillies Fillies’ Stakes.

SELECTIONS:

DONCASTER: 11.55 Hidden Affair, 12.25 Ornamental, 1.00 Pastime, 1.35 Shady McCoy, 2.05 Teruntum Star, 2.40 Vintage Folly, 3.15 TOP TUG (NAP), 3.50 Excellent Times.

KELSO: 12.15 Manitowoc County, 12.50 Oak Vintage, 1.25 Scotswell, 2.00 Cup Final, 2.35 Fair Loch, 3.10 Cape Of Glory, 3.45 Harrisons Promise.

DOUBLE: Top Tug and Vintage Folly.