Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday September 14

A 22-runner handicap over five and a half furlongs may not seem like the easiest puzzle to solve but last year's winner, Doc Hay, possesses solid claims and can get us off to a flying start. A strong-travelling type, Doc Hay seemed ideally suited to the fast pace when staying on strongly close home to land last year's Portland. Doc Hay has been highly tried this year, often failing to make an impression in some top Group races, but he has slipped back down to a fair mark and shaped really well at Beverley a fortnight ago. He is worth backing to retain his crown in a race that promises to suit his running style.

John Gosden has a fantastic record in the St Leger (15:50) and the lightly raced Excess Knowledge could enhance it even further. Excess Knowledge has been brought along slowly, making his seasonal reappearance at Sandown in July, and the patient approach employed by Gosden can pay dividends. Following an encouraging third over an inadequate 10 furlongs at Sandown, Excess Knowledge looked like an unlucky loser in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, staying on strongly from an unpromising position to grab second. The son of Monsun should appreciate the extended 14 furlongs of the St Leger and a career-best effort is on the cards.

Our final SmartPlay comes in the last race on the Doncaster card as we side with Ascription in the one-mile handicap at 18:05. Ascription displayed his effectiveness on easy ground when romping home in a seemingly-competitive Goodwood handicap, quickening clear to win by four and a half lengths, and he backed up that effort from a higher mark when finishing second on a faster surface at Haydock last time. Ascription has gone up further in the weights for that creditable effort but the return to a softer surface is certainly in his favour and he looks primed to launch a bold bid.

Timeform SmartPlays:
All At Doncaster

Back Doc Hay in the 14:40
Back Excess Knowledge in the 15:50
Back Ascription in the 18:05

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