We kick off in the 14:50 on Town Moor, with the Jeremy Scott-trained Master Benjamin taken to go one better than at Exeter last week. That occasion marked the six-year-old's handicap bow and his first attempt at today's trip and he showed much improved form, despite still displaying signs of greenness, to go down by just two lengths at the hands of Xaarcet, travelling smoothly prior to meeting some trouble between the final two flights but keeping on well. He strikes as one that is capable of further progress and, with the cheekpieces in place for the first time and being allowed to race off the same mark, today could see him enter the winners' enclosure for the first time.
Doncaster's 15:25 is an interesting affair, with Grey Missile starting life in handicaps on a potentially decent mark and Back Bob Back competing here having shaped well in a strong race at Newbury, but both comments also apply to Gores Island and it is for that reason that he is our second bet of the day. The seven-year-old could only manage to finish eleventh at Newbury but shaped significantly better than the result, travelling strongly for a long way before blundering at the fourth last and stopping quickly after that. Clearly there is room for improvement in his jumping but if that element comes together he could well take this.
We now switch our attention to the all-weather, with the 17:10 at Kempton coming under particularly close inspection. Five of the eight in the field are known front runners or prominent racers, particularly Royal Bajan, Island Legend and Roy's Legacy, which could tee things up perfectly for the pair that tend to be held-up, namely Diamond Charlie and Rocket Rob. With the first mentioned coming here on the back of a four month break our selection will be Rocket Rob, who admittedly was below form on his most recent outing but that was his first start after a break of his own and he ought to be sharper for it now.
Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Master Benjamin @ 5.49/2 in the 14:50 at Doncaster
Back Gores Island @ 3.929/10 in the 15:25 at Doncaster
Back Rocket Rob @ 6.25/1 in the 17:10 at Kempton
