Doncaster best bet (1435): Mrs Grimley strongly fancied to enjoy step up in trip
Six Feet Apart comes out on top as Irish runners dominate at Doncaster
On another quiet day at the races, Doncaster offers the stronger of the two National Hunt meetings, and this seven-runner mares’ handicap looks like being as competitive as any race on the card.
14:35 Doncaster: Watch Off The Fence At attheraces.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2 miles 3½ furlongs)
With barely a couple of betting points between the four market leaders, the jury appears to be out deciding their verdict on where the best value lies.
Kay Tara Tara won on her first attempt over hurdles in a minor event at Huntingdon in October, but finished outside the first two in a seven-runner affair at Fontwell a month ago, while Masked Dance looks better treated by the handicapper after returning from a six-month break (that included wind surgery) to come second of 10 on her seasonal bow at Ludlow in October.
While they both hold serious claims, it’s hard to get excited about their value as they jostle for the favourite tag, which suggests that more attractive betting options lie elsewhere, and the mare to have created a stir within the Tipstrr camp and the betting market is Mrs Grimley.
Suggested best bet: Mrs Grimley in the 14:35 at Doncaster
After showing decent form in four NH flat outings, Ben Pauling’s six-year-old won her last bumper at Southwell before taking easily to her subsequent switch to hurdles, over which she won at her third attempt, beating five rivals in heavy going at Ffos Las a year ago.
She has enjoyed mixed fortunes since, however, finishing third at Fakenham on season debut in November, before racing below her best when eighth of 14 at Doncaster just before Christmas.
Mrs Grimley was available at 10/1 early on Wednesday morning, but that price has been gobbled up and those odds have been cut in half in the space of a few short hours.
She is unexposed over this trip, so connections appear to expect her to progress past her rivals here, and while that early double-digit betting value might have disappeared, she could well prove to be the one to beat in the capable hands of Kielan Woods.
