The Neighsayers - Day at The Races - Doncaster 31/05

Let's try something a little different, we felt the page had been pretty much the same week in week out for a while now, Eye-catchers followed by The Week Ahead and maybe something in-between. As we mentioned in the WhatsApp, we think we're quite active on racecourses so thought it could be an idea to put up our bets we fancy when going racing. Will be tracked and will be taking prices and not SP and might even get bets that are more than 1pt... Let's see how night 1 goes at Doncaster this week. These will go up on the morning of racing, if time permits. Price's will have to be with 2 firms to be claimed as we don't want to be putting up stand out prices.

17:45 Doncaster - Southern Voyage

This horse been running around dormant since winning back in September 2022, yes 2022... showed a little bit on final turf start of 2023 in heavy ground at Newmarket, then a very very quiet winner. He sprung back into life first start on turf of 2024 placing 3rd at Chester and ran well enough to make it into the Chester review blog. He travelled lovely in rear here and was well positioned to make a challenge until he was forced 4 almost 5 wide at one point on the final turn and lost all chance of winning there, he did still run on well to claim 3rd and was a much needed step in the right direction.

Now he was dropped a lb for that, which might not seem a lot but crucial here as It's got him into a 0-68 off top weight in a race where it looks there for the taking. I have no doubt he's the best horse in the race on back class and if he puts it all together. He is entered in the Sunday Series this weekend and It'll be interesting if Declared there as he'd run without a penalty.

As I said, if he put's it all together, he will eat these alive, which I hope he does...

Selection - Southern Voyage 1pt win (7/2 Bet365, William Hill) 

19:15 Doncaster - Call to Action

Happy to take a flyer at the selection here who's currently priced outsider of the field. Decent form in Novice/Maiden's never being out the two which lands him on a mark of 81. Now not saying he's thrown in but I think he can definitely win off this mark against a few that I could knock, rightly or wrongly. His most recent run behind Aramram at Nottingham who won easily was most encouraging, especially now seeing 7 furlongs. He was the only one to get involved from rear, now granted they'll have been some playing the game in here as if it was an Irish Maiden Hurdle but he's still put lengths between the 3rd, 4th and 5th who were all handier than him in the run, where I think you wanna be at Nottingham. He had to give away a penalty that day too so can upgrade that further for me.

Mickley taking up a lot of the market and probably has the right to be favourite but I couldn't bet him, Love Billy Boy has been consistent but hard to win with and now his mark is going up without winning, I'd steer clear. Secret Bid and Sky Warrior were both well positioned at Lingfield on the straight turf course and would be hard to follow that up on this stiffer track. Jungle Mac has looked, erm, awkward to say the least and Saviour looks modest. The other I do like is Mono River but not really sure he needs cheekpieces? Call to Action could definitely blow out and he's priced like that but I would have him shorter here.

Selection - Call to Action 0.5pts E/W (12/1 General, 14/1 365 is available but wont be recorded)

20:15 Doncaster - Night Horn

Rightly or wrongly, I've taken more encouragement from Night Horn's run's than the bookies have and think he's a fair each way price atm and definitely has the profile where he'll see money throughout the day (he definitely SP's at 20's now). Have no real problem with his 7th on debut, wasn't asked to do much and came home hands and heels, his 2nd start at Kempton, finished 6th there which was last of the main group but he travelled nicely here and looked to appreciate the trip without being asked to go and win his race and his SP showed you that. 

He must've done well over the winter to go off 5/1 on seasonal debut against some nice and expensive types. He was too fresh early to do himself justice and was got after early to try and close on the winner and paid for those exertions in the final furlong when fading. That can be excused for me and leaves us on a mark of 70 but squeezing into a 68 here. 

Connections are no stranger to types like these, see Fairbanks just last year who's still improving. This one hasn't been let in as light but still looks to possess ability to win races such as this. The ground won't be as lively as Thirsk and being by Golden Horn he should appreciate it that bit slower.

Selection - Night Horn 0.5pts E/W (11/1 Bet365 & William Hill)