Timeform UK SmartPlays: Sunday December 29

The 13:15 is one of a number of competitive handicaps on the card. Cowards Close and Don't Be Late emerge as being of especially strong interest, with preference for the former. He beat the now-useful Return Spring on his second start at Exeter back in April. He was then less impressive at Fakenham, though that was chiefly down to him facing an inadequate test of stamina at that sharp track. A subsequent absence raises some question marks, but the salient point with Cowards Close is that he'll thrive over three miles sooner or later and, granted a very fair BHA mark of 125, it could well be worth taking the chance that he starts here.

We expect Cowards C lose to thrive over three miles. We mightn't have been quite so hopeful about Susquehanna River (14:20) over fences given he completed just once from four starts in points, yet he's delivered in just three starts and can continue to do so here. He made a winning debut and has run well to be placed on both starts since, in an amateur handicap at Newbury last time. Now back under the excellent Sam Twiston-Davies, Susquehanna River remains well enough handicapped to win, especially in everyday company such as this. With there being no concerns in terms of stamina or jumping, he rates as a solid proposition.

Another unexposed front-runner from the Twiston-Davies yard, Little Pop is fancied to round off our day in the 14:55. This race is another of those competitive handicaps mentioned at the top of the article, though the selection can claim to be among the most interesting on the power of his novice-winning form a couple of months back. Since then he's come unstuck in a particularly strong Cheltenham handicap, though his style is hardly well suited to that sort of test and he's  been found a more realistic assignment here. Ideally, this race would be over a bit further as that's when Little Pop will really take off, though he's still got plenty of potential irrespective of trip and any further rain would only help his cause.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Doncaster

Back Cowards Close in the 13:15
Back Susquehanna River in the 14:20
Back Little Pop in the 14:55