Doncaster 5.03 Race Preview

This is a competitive Class 5 handicap over the extended 1m 2f trip, featuring a mix of battle-hardened older horses and potentially progressive three-year-olds. The race is for horses rated 0-75, and with 15 runners declared, finding some luck in running could be crucial.

Main Selection: TELE RED (10-1)

• Trainer: K R Burke
• Jockey: Jack Nicholls (5)
• Form: …265221

It’s impossible to ignore the claims of Tele Red, who comes here in scintillating form. He finally got his head back in front with a determined win at Pontefract just four days ago, following two narrow second-place finishes. He carries a penalty for that win, but he’s clearly thriving at present and handles soft ground well (3 wins on soft). The quick turnaround is a slight concern, but he won with enough in hand to suggest he can defy the extra weight while in this mood. His jockey’s 5lb claim helps offset the penalty. 🔥

---

Main Dangers

HARSWELL RUBY (9-8)

• Trainer: Roger Fell
• Jockey: Kevin Stott
• Form: …822522

This three-year-old filly is remarkably consistent and knocking hard on the door. She has finished second in four of her last five starts, including an excellent effort when beaten only a neck in a Class 2 handicap at Nottingham last time out. She steps back down to Class 5 here, is proven on softer ground, and gets weight from the older horses. A win looks imminent, and today could well be the day. 🥈

GHOST STORY (9-7)

• Trainer: John Butler
• Jockey: Cieren Fallon
• Form: …5-612

Another progressive type, this four-year-old filly won nicely on soft ground at Windsor two starts back before running a fine second in a higher grade (Class 4) at Yarmouth. She stays this trip well and seems to be improving with racing. Off a mark of 68, she remains well-handicapped on the balance of her form and looks sure to be involved in the finish. 👍

STAR CAST (9-0)

• Trainer: Gemma Tutty
• Jockey: Warren Fentiman (5)
• Form: …4424

This lightly-raced three-year-old filly put in a career-best effort when second on heavy ground over this trip at Ayr two starts ago. She wasn’t quite as good on the all-weather last time, but a return to turf and soft ground could see her bounce back. She carries a very low weight (effectively 8st 9lbs with her jockey’s claim) and receives weight from almost all her rivals. Interesting outsider. 👀

---

Best of the Rest

• RED DEREK (8-9): A veteran campaigner who loves Doncaster (1 win, 3 places from 5 starts) and soft ground. He has run well to finish third on his last two starts and carries a featherweight here off a low mark (OR 56). Could easily outrun his likely big odds.
• AMANCIO (10-0): Won well at Newbury two starts back but ran too freely and disappointed when favourite last time. If settling better, dropping back slightly in trip could suit, and he remains on a fair mark (OR 75).

---

Verdict

This looks competitive, but TELE RED arrives in peak condition and might be hard to stop, despite the penalty and quick turnaround. The ultra-consistent Harswell Ruby surely deserves to win one soon and rates the biggest danger. Ghost Story is also progressing nicely and shouldn’t be far away, while at bigger prices, the low-weighted Star Cast and course-specialist Red Derek could hit the frame.

1-2-3 Prediction:

1. Tele Red
2. Harswell Ruby
3. Ghost Story