Today on Sky Sports Racing: Four venues host action on jam-packed Saturday
A clash between Forward Plan and Gaboriot at Doncaster tops the billing on a busy Saturday of action on Sky Sports Racing; Newcastle also hosts racing over Jumps before attention later switches to Southwell and Wolverhampton on the Flat
Saturday 14 December 2024 10:28, UK
We're all set for a busy day on Sky Sports Racing, with Doncaster and Newcastle primed for Jumps action because Wolverhampton and Southwell host Flat meetings.
2.05 Doncaster - Last year's winner Forward Plan faces Gaboriot
The Anthony Honeyball-trained Forward Plan bids to follow up last year's success in a stellar renewal of this feature bet365 Handicap Chase. At his best on a sound surface, he warmed up for this with an encouraging fourth at Wincanton and should go close at a track that suits.
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Gaboriot scored over this course and distance last season, and he must be feared as he looks to build on his excellent third in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree last month.
Plenty have each-way chances, including Kim Bailey's course winner Does He Know, while Chasing Fire should strip fitter for this reappearance at Cheltenham.
3.15 Doncaster - Altobelli & Deploy To Spy headline
Harry Fry's Altobelli returns from a lay-off in this trappy handicap hurdle. The six-year-old showed some useful form when placed in a pair of competitive handicaps at Ascot last winter before disappointing when sent off 5-1 for the Betfair Hurdle in February. With a good record when fresh, he could hit the frame off his current mark of 130.
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Deploy To Spy has enjoyed a successful summer, winning three of his four hurdles starts and rates a big danger on his second handicap start, despite the form of that effort not having been franked.
Norman Fletcher completes the shortlist after landing the odds at Huntingdon on his last start.
5.45 Southwell - Classy pair Misty Grey & Iberian clash
A cracking conditions event featuring a pair of 100+ rated rivals.
Iberian was thought good enough to contest the 2000 Guineas back in May and has undergone wind surgery since finishing well beaten in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat in July. He looks a fascinating contender as he drops to six furlongs under Jason Watson.
Best of the rest
At 12.25pm on Town Moor, Bucksy Des Epeires looks set to go close after impressing at Ascot last time out. Later in the afternoon (2.40pm), a Listed Mares' Hurdle provides the stage for West Balboa's return to hurdling for the Dan Skelton team.
Over at Newcastle, Basford and Chemical Warfare are set to clash in the 1.22pm before Charlie Appleby, George Boughey and Ralph Beckett field runners in an eye-catching 4.15pm Novice contest at Southwell.
Zip is on the hat-trick hunt in the 6.45pm at Southwell but will have to get the better of Alzahir, who goes for Jennie Candlish. At 7.15pm, Haku tops the nine declared.
