Paul Nicholls: Exclusive views on all my Doncaster runners

The main action is at Cheltenham but a three-strong team are up north for the Doncaster action. Read Paul's views on his trio here

13:05, 3m Novice Chase
Harry The Viking
Staying looks his strong suit and it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up in the four miler at Cheltenham, so he starts on the chasing trail here (though he is a winning pointer) after two novice hurdle victories. Battled well for his Chepstow win and the form of his two length defeat of Forgotten Gold there (with a further 24 lengths back to the third) was franked when the runner-up won at Ludlow. After that he went to Towcester and started at 2-11, and wasn't overly impressive in landing the odds by five lengths. But he is very much a grinder and is never going to win flashily. Saint Are sets a fair standard here if returning to his best.

14:15, 2m3f Handicap Chase
American Trilogy
The handicapper has shown us some leniency as he races off 128 here, and that looks fair enough given he won the County Hurdle by 11 lengths off 135 in 2009 and showed what he can do over fences when winning at Kempton in February. But it is fair to say that he has some ideas of his own and can never be a confident selection, whatever the opposition. However, is exactly the kind of horse who can surprise you, going left-handed suits him and generally goes well when fresh.

14:45, 2m Juvenile Hurdle
Ranjaan
Showed a fair level of form on the Flat in France for the Aga Khan and Mikel Delzangles, winning two of his five starts but putting up his best effort when second over 1m6f on his final start in June. Had pleased us in his homework prior to his debut at Newbury last month and he made a satisfactory start to life over hurdles when a 10 length second to the experienced Urbain De Sivola, with the smart Flat recruit Ardlui five lengths away in third. Although he may need further in time, I obviously expect him to come on for the experience (he travelled well, if a little lazily, at Newbury and he was a touch novicey at some of his hurdles) and make his presence felt in this grade. This better ground will suit, though this is a competitive little race. He will have a break after this.

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Find out my best chance of the weekend here.

Paul Nicholls / 10 Dec 2011