November Handicap Big Race Verdict: Dascombe has a hot one with 14/1 Fuss

• Big field awaits for November Handicap at Doncaster

• Sportsbook paying six places for weekend on ITV feature

• Alan Dudman's latest Big Race Verdict includes a 1-2-3 and 14/115.00 tip 

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Six places on the Sportsbook for Doncaster feature in soft

Soft conditions and 23runners lie in wait for the final Flat swansong at Doncaster on Saturday, so what could go wrong? The Sportsbook are paying six places for the headline race - the November Handicap at 15:45 - and while rain is forecast for Friday, a clear day awaits the following afternoon.

Hopewell Rock is the market leader at 9/25.50 - a George Boughey three-year-old with a hefty old mark of 102. That age bracket has been none too successful since 2008 with a pair of three-year-olds in the winners' enclosure since.

Boughey's Obaid-owned runner finished second at Doncaster in September over 1m2f and shaped as if Saturday's trip of 1m4f will suit, although he was turned over at Leicester when upped to 1m4f last time off 97 and he's raised a further 5lb.

Boughey is a little quiet at the moment with 2-22 at 9%, but it's the end of the season so can be forgiven.

Market movers on the Sportsbook

Gary and Josh, with Toby too, Moore's Miller Spirit was the one for support towards the head of the market on Friday morning, with Miller Spirit cut from 12/113.00 into 9/110.00 with young master Moore's 7lb claim not looking too shabby at the moment. He's arrived in the blink of an eye, and while gifted a couple of Godolphin freebies in races, he has impressed in the saddle and out of out.

Moore was disqualified at Newbury on Miller Spirit for an incorrect weight, so revenge mission ahoy.

Master Builder was a 14/115.00 into 12/113.00 just before midday on Friday but he has been disappointing this season in some good handicaps. He is down in distance and his mark now is an eye-catching 89 from a season start off point of 96 and was well down in the field in last year's renewal.

Each-way moves perhaps for Michael Bell's Adjuvant from 22/123.00 into 16/117.00, while the Amo runner Maxi King halved in price on Friday from 18/119.00 into 9/110.00. Adjuvant will have to improve a fair bit from 87 as the bottom weight, and Maxi King finished in eighth last season in the November Handicap as a 33/134.00 poke and hasn't won (and been gelded) since.

Soft and heavy ground performers to the fore

Grey Cuban finished third at Doncaster last time over 1m2f in heavy so conditions will not upset backers of Hugo Palmer's runner, but it's Lord Melbourne who looks a bit of a standout in terms of going and the race.

The good lord won the November Handicap 12 months ago from a mark of 90, and while 10lb higher, we have seen him just the once this season and that was a very impressive 4L win at Epsom last month. In fact it was more than impressive, I'd call it dazzling as he shot away at the end.

You could argue he should be up more than the 9lb to 103, and Jack Dace maintains the partnership with Lord Melbourne, whom he rode at Epsom. I have been super impressed with Dace and it's good to see him gain rides for the bigger yards, with Ralph Beckett 8-28 at 22% in the last fortnight.

Dace himself is 4-16 in the past two weeks, his claim now down to 5lb, and he's ridden 30 winners this season.

Chemistry won a heavy ground maiden for Aidan O'Brien at the Curragh last season and finished second in the Leopardstown Petingo Handicap last October from 100, he's a really interesting runner now with Ivan Furtado, with just one run this term at Pontefract and conditions will be A One.

My antepost selection Hot Fuss is a steady 14/115.00 chance from 16/117.00 and was last seen in May running poorly in the Chester Cup. He has a different trip here but crucially he has his ground as he wants it soft.

Stressfree brings Ebor form to the table and was fourth off 101 at York behind Ehtical Diamond, who has boosted the race's profile again, not in Oz this time but in America with an astonishing Breeders' Cup win last weekend.

Beckett also has Master Vintner - a front-runner with heavy going form too, and completely unexposed.

Pace Map & Tactics

Front-runners: Grey Cuban, Chemistry, Hot Fuss, Miss Dolly Rocker, Master Vintner, Castle Stuart.

Prominent: Lord Melbourne, Maxi King, Insanity, Hopewell Rock, Tiernan, Majestic, Hot Fuss, Miss Dolly Rocker, Atherstone Warrior,

Midfield: Tashkan, Hot Fuss, Master Builder,

Hold-up: Stressfree, Insanity, Tiernan, Majestic, Oneforthegutter, Castle Cove, Master Builder

November Handicap 1-2-3 Verdict

I am sticking to my guns with Hot Fuss, as the ground has come right for him and he's unexposed and still off a tempting mark.

Lord Melbourne has to be on the shortlist purely on his victory 12 months ago and he was ever so impressive last time, and considering he's been out just once this season, he is fresher than most. Dace's claim is also appealing.

Chemistry as a big outsider at 40/141.00 could be a flyer with the six places. He stays further than 1m4f and this should be run at a good gallop with the amount of front-runners involved, and he is one of them. His second in the Petingo gives him more than a chance that his price suggests and he should come on for Pontefract last time.

Stressfree is another who might enjoy the pace set-up with a gallop to aim at as he stays a little further and has form on good to soft. His mark however from 103 will be a tough one to win from.

1. Hot Fuss

2. Lord Melbourne

3. Chemistry / Stressfree

Now read Paul Nicholls on his intended runners at Wincanton on Saturday