In focus at Doncaster

HYPERFOCUS seems to relish cut in the ground so the autumnal conditions in the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap at Doncaster should be right up his street.

Hugo Palmer thought enough of his charge to pitch him into Group Two company as a juvenile last year, but he disappointed in the Superlative Stakes and that run signalled a premature end to his campaign.

It looked as though the son of Intense Focus would struggle to get his head in front after three starts this term, but a mid-season gelding operation seems to have worked the oracle, Hyperfocus scoring twice since his return.

Hyperfocus first scored at Haydock at the beginning of September before defying a 5lb rise to claim another win on heavy ground at the Merseyside venue at the end of the month.

The handicapper took a dim view of that verdict and hiked him 8lb in the ratings and while conditions on Town Moor will be nowhere near as deep as at Haydock, Hyperfocus has proved perfectly adept on good to soft ground in the past.

Harry Fry does not many runners on the Flat, but Golden Birthday has been flying the flag in fine style and can continue to do so in the Free Bets At 188Bet Casino Handicap.

A four-times hurdle winner, Golden Birthday has made a successful transition to the level with victories at Leicester and Kempton, although it could be argued the runner-up slightly gifted him a winning opportunity on the latter occasion.

That said, Golden Birthday still won in decent style and while a 5lb hike is not ideal, a further step up in distance should play into his hands.

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori can make it a double at Newbury with Royal Line and First Eleven.

Royal Line steps up a notch in class for the British Stallion Studs EBF Conditions Stakes having absolutely hosed up at Haydock on his most recent start.

While he won by just over two lengths that day, he was eased right down in the finish in the manner of a potentially smart horse.

First Eleven has fluffed the start on his two outings to date but if he can pull it together this time, the second division of the Join Hot To Trot For 2018 Novice Stakes looks eminently winnable.

Bred to be a Classic contender as a Frankel half-brother to Kingman, First Eleven has just given himself too much to do with his tardy starts and Gosden will surely have him well drilled in that area now.

Cheltenham opens its doors for the first time this season and connections of Sceau Royal will be hoping he will back here at the Festival in March.

The five-year-old finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle back in March, a run which only served to underline the fact he is a little short of top-class over hurdles.

However, Sceau Royal must have delighted trainer Alan King on his first start over fences, running out a comfortable four-and-a-half-length winner at Warwick at the start of the month. (17) M Johnston 9-7 .......... P J McDonald 117 (26) R Hannon 9-6 (D) ...................... R L Moore 119 (48) C Appleby 9-5 (D) ............................. James Doyle 112 (23) R Hannon 9-3 (BF) ................................... S Levey 85 (17) K Dalgleish 8-12 (D) ....................... J Fanning 117 (14) R Fahey 8-8 ............. P Hanagan 120 (13) R Varian 8-8 ................. A Atzeni 114 (29) R Fahey 8-6 (D) .............. B McHugh 104 BETTING: 3 Dubhe, 4 Regimented, 5 Algam, Character Witness, 6 Che Bella, 10 Ventura Knight, 12 International Man, 14 Amazing Michele.

9-2 In touch on outside, ridden inside final 2f, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Chilean at Haydock 1m 2yo lst stk (1) hvy in Sep. 12-1 Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Dee Ex Bee at Epsom Downs 1m 2yo stks (2) hvy. 9-4fav Steadied start, held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 2f out, switched left inside final 2f, went 2nd inside final furlong, soon ridden and every chance, just held, 2nd of 5, hd behind Mr Top Hat at Salisbury 6f 2yo stks (2) hvy. 8-1 In touch, switched right over 2f out, effort soon after, ridden and kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 4l behind Rufus King at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gd. 4-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind El Chapo at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs. 7-2 Keen early, close up in 5th, pushed along halfway, ridden and outpaced approaching 2f out, last of 5, 11l behind El Chapo at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs.

14-1 Behind and outpaced, 15th of 17, 13l behind Beatbox Rhythm at York 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd. 6-1 Behind, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 23l behind Shazzab at Pontefract 1m 2yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Sep. BIRDETTE (98) M Johnston 9-0 ........................ P J McDonald FAIR ISLAND Sarah Hollinshead 9-0 ........................ C Bishop FICANAS M Botti 9-0 ............................................. D Muscutt GOLDEN GUIDE (56) K Burke 9-0 ............................. J Haynes GUMRIYAH (14) J Gosden 9-0 ................................... R Havlin HARBOUR SUNRISE S A Harris 9-0 ................... C Bennett (3) LUNAR CORONA Sir M Stoute 9-0 .......................... R L Moore MIDAS MAGGIE (29) C Hills 9-0 ...................... C Shepherd (3) MRS SIPPY (14) D M Simcock 9-0 .......................... J P Spencer NASSYA J Gosden 9-0 ............................................. N Mackay PILASTER R Varian 9-0 ............................................ A Atzeni QASWARAH E Dunlop 9-0 ...................................... D Probert ROYSTONIA H Palmer 9-0 .................................. James Doyle SAGENESS (23) E Dunlop 9-0 ................................. Fran Berry SAILING HOME (23) M Bell 9-0 .................... Daniel Tudhope BETTING: 4 Lunar Corona, 5 Pilaster, 7 Mrs Sippy, 8 Nassya, Gumriyah, Sailing Home, 10 Roystonia, 12 Golden Guide, 16 Others. (56) R Beckett 9-5 ..................... R L Moore (134) R Varian 9-5 ........................... A Atzeni (37) E Dunlop 9-5 ...................... P J McDonald (20) Rebecca Bastiman 9-5 .............. Phil Dennis (3) T D Barron 9-5 ........................................... B A Curtis C Hills 9-5 ..................................... James Doyle (34) T Dascombe 9-5 ............... A Rawlinson (37) M Botti 9-5 .............................. M Monaghan (3) (56) G Margarson 9-5 .................. T Queally (56) I Williams 9-0 ............................ G Downing BETTING: 5-2 Breath Caught, 3 Grandscape, 4 Taghee, 5 Mukhaater, 7 Flavius Titus, 10 Kripke, 25 Society Secret, 50 Technological, 66 Others. (11) E Dunlop 9-5 ........................ R L Moore (23) A Balding 9-5 ............................ D Probert (48) M Botti 9-5 ...................................... James Doyle (34) C Hills 9-5 .................................. A Atzeni (34) T Dascombe 9-5 ............... B A Curtis (11) G Margarson 9-5 ................. T Queally (43) R Hannon 9-5 ....................... S Levey (57) D Loughnane 9-5 .................... G Downing (11) M Botti 9-5 .................................. G Lee BETTING: 13-8 Amplification, 5 Epic Fantasy, 6 Elusif, 13-2 Consultant, 7 Mister Maestro, 10 Moxy Mares, 14 Heavenly Guest, 25 Spring Praise, Harry Callahan. (31) S Dow 4 9-1 (CD) .................. L Morris (77) C Wallis 4 9-1 ...................... L Edmunds (3) (25) W Brisbourne 3 9-0 ........................... W Carson (4) D Bridgwater 3 9-0 ................................ G Wood (3) (32) M Appleby 3 9-0 ................................ A Rawlinson (28) Mrs K Tutty 3 9-0 ...................... S James (6) D Brown 3 9-0 ................................ A Mullen (116) Olly Williams 3 9-0 ................ C Shepherd (3) (17)EAlston39-0 .................................. JHart (10) P Evans 3 9-0 .................... M Cosham (3) (10) J Bradley 3 9-0 ...................... Jane Elliott (5) (32)BEllison39-0 .............................. SDonohoe (8) A Carson 3 9-0 (BF) ................................... R Tate BETTING: 4 Treagus, 5 Hurricane Rock, 13-2 Princess Way, 8 Rapid Rise, Hisar, 10 La Fortuna, Jorvik Prince, 14 Permanent, Emilene, Seebring, Fivos, New Tale, 25 Like Minds. TYROLEAN S Durack 4 10-0 .......................... Nicola Currie (7) HUSSAR BALLAD (7)ABrittain89-13(C2) ............... CHardie CAPTAIN SWIFT (15) J Mackie 6 9-10 (CD) ................. L Morris SINGULAR QUEST (20) D Loughnane 5 9-8 ......... R Kingscote INNISH MAN (20) J Mackie 5 9-7 (C) ....................... B A Curtis COSTA PERCY (18)JennieCandlish39-6 ................ JFanning STRICTLY ART (23) A Bailey 4 9-5 ................ Joshua Bryan (5) SURROUND SOUND (49) T Easterby 7 9-4 (C2) ............. J Hart ROCKY ELSOM (64) A Wintle 10 9-4 ...................... G Wood (3) DREAM SERENADE (31) M Appleby 4 9-3 (C) ................ R Tate INFINITI (48) B Leavy 4 9-3 (C) ......................... Jane Elliott (5) THE LAST MELON (6) J Bennett 5 9-2 ...... Racheal Kneller (5) ABOUT GLORY (3) R Hannon 3 8-13 ................... T Marquand BETTING: 5 About Glory, 11-2 Costa Percy, 6 Singular Quest, 7 Strictly Art, 8 Tyrolean, Captain Swift, 10 Surround Sound, Hussar Ballad, 12 Others. 1 (11) 530 SHANGHAI GLORY (27) C Hills 4 9-10 (D4) ............. Fran Berry 93 2 (14) 513 FLYING PURSUIT (13) T Easterby 4 9-9 (CD) ... Rachel Richardson (3) 92 3 (8) 200 AEOLUS (27) Ed Walker 6 9-9 (D4) ......................... P Cosgrave 101 4 (17) 020 AL QAHWA (13) D O’Meara 4 9-6 (D2) ............ Daniel Tudhope 87 5 (22) 005 OUTBACK TRAVELLER (13) R Cowell 6 9-5 (D3) .... J P Spencer 88 6 (4) 611 HYPERFOCUS (27) H Palmer 3 9-5 (D3) ............... James Doyle 83 7 (13) 090 PERFECT PASTURE (13) M W Easterby 7 9-5 (D5) ....... D Allan 81 8 (5) 641 BOY IN THE BAR (3) I Williams 6 9-5 (D6) ..... M Fernandes (5) 98 9 (19) 000 KICKBOXER (6) M Appleby 6 9-4 (D3) ....................... T Queally 111 10 (9) 000 NAGGERS (27) P Midgley 6 9-3 (D5) ................... P Mulrennan 95 11 (21) 030 MOBSTA (27) M Channon 5 9-3 (CD2) ........................ C Bishop 88 12 (16) 660 HOOF IT (13) M W Easterby 10 9-3 (CD) ....... Harrison Shaw (7) 99 13 (1) 093 ROBERO (11) M W Easterby 5 9-2 (D2) ................... J P Sullivan 93 14 (12) 007 BIG TIME (27) K Ryan 6 9-2 (D) .................................... K Stott 99 15 (18) 020 GO FAR (20) A Bailey 7 9-1 (C, D8) ................. Joshua Bryan (5) 88 16 (7) 008 NAADIRR (32) K Ryan 6 9-0 (CD2) .................................. G Lee 84 17 (15) 236 RED PIKE (27) B Smart 6 9-0 (CD) ................................ T Eaves 98 18 (20) 600 GUNMETAL (105) C Hills 4 8-13 (D2) .......................... A Atzeni 99 19 (10) 603 GEORGE BOWEN (27) R Fahey 5 8-12 (D5) ............ T Hamilton 87 20 (3) 838 DOUGAN (16) P Evans 5 8-12 (D4) .................... David Egan (3) 92 21 (2) 010 HIGHLAND ACCLAIM (20) D O’Meara 6 8-12 (D6) ...D Probert 94 22 (6) 776 CAPTAIN COLBY (10) Ed Walker 5 8-12 (CD) ................ S Levey 84 BETTING: 13-2 Hyperfocus, 8 Flying Pursuit, 10 George Bowen, Outback Traveller, 12 Robero, 14 Shanghai Glory, Naadirr, Red Pike, Al Qahwa, Dougan, Boy In The Bar, 16 Others.

3-1fav Chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Sep beating Letmestopyouthere by 2 1/4l, 15 ran. 12-1 Chased leaders, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 2l behind Teruntum Star at York 6f hcp 105 (2) gd. 10-1 Behind, headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Hyperfocus at Haydock 6f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Sep.

33-1 Towards rear, kept on well entering final furlong, nearest at finish, 5th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Teruntum Star at York 6f hcp 105 (2) gd. TOMAHAWK KID (23) I Williams 4 11-0 ...... Miss A McCain (3) REBEL CAUSE (14) Richard Spencer 4 11-0 .......... Mr S Walker JACKHAMMER (63) Mrs D Sayer 3 10-11 ............. Miss E Sayer SIR REGINALD BROWN (50) R Fahey 3 10-9 ...... Miss Ella McCain (5) LUDORUM (36) R Fahey 3 10-9 (BF, D) .............. Miss Jo Mason ICE DANCING (20) M Bell 3 10-9 ..................... Mr B James (3) FOUR MILE BEACH J M Jefferson 4 10-9 ..... Mr Kieran Rundell (7) ITLAAQ (53) M W Easterby 11 10-8 (C2, D2) ...... Mr M Haigh (7) HARD TOFFEE (27) C Allen 6 10-7 .............. Miss S Brotherton CAPTAIN REVELATION (59) M Mullineaux 5 10-7 ...... Mr L Stones (5) DEELEY’S DOUBLE (209) D Loughnane 4 10-5 .......... Miss J Cooley (5) HAWRIDGE GLORY (11)BMillman310-5(D)..MrPMillman DOWN TIME (11) P Midgley 7 10-4 .......... Mr Tom Midgley (7) MARAAKIB (7) D O’Meara 5 10-3 (CD) ........... Mr A R Ferguson THE GAY CAVALIER (23) J Ryan 6 10-2 (D5) ........... Mr H Hunt MARMION (17) J L Eyre 5 10-2 .................... Miss Becky Smith MATCH MY FIRE (135) M Dods 4 10-1 ........... Miss C A Dods (7) SILVER DIXIE (31) P Hedger 7 10-0 (D4) ......... Miss K Evans (7) MOVING ROBE (15) C Allen 4 10-0 ....... Miss J Martensson (7) ENGLAND EXPECTS (78) K Burke 3 9-10 .......... Mr J Brace (5) BETTING: 5 Ice Dancing, 7 Maraakib, 8 Hawridge Glory, 10 Match My Fire, Deeley’s Double, Ludorum, 12 Tomahawk Kid, Rebel Cause, 14 Others.