Can beautifully bred Israr strike another blow for the Classic generation?

Saturday: 3.13 Doncaster
BetGoodwin November Handicap | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Farhan won this last year as a three-year-old and this season Israr is bidding to strike another blow for the Classic generation. He is a short-priced favourite for a competitive handicap.

Two of the last ten winners have been three, but there have been 29 horses of that age compete in the race in the last ten years and that means the strike-rate is just under seven per cent.

That is only marginally better than those aged six and seven, who are striking at six per cent. So it doesn't always pay to side with unexposed younger horses in this end-of-season feature.

Israr still comes into that category and he proved he has no problem with heavy ground over course and distance when landing a handicap on testing conditions here last month.

He is up 7lb, but is bred to be better than a handicapper as his dam is Oaks and King George heroine Taghrooda.

Given this race is often run in gruelling conditions, it's no surprise that older, stronger runners hold their own against the younger generation and Metier has that sort of profile.

His last run on the Flat came when fifth at Leopardstown in October 2019 for Irish trainer Andrew Slattery. But he has since proven himself at home on heavy ground over hurdles.

He is rated 144 in that sphere but just 89 on the Flat, so even a conservative estimate would suggest he is well handicapped on his hurdles form off a 55lb lower mark. He is entered in the Greatwood at Cheltenham next week and it will be a rare double if he can complete it.

Tritonic won the battle of the jumpers with Goshen in a 1m4f Flat race at Goodwood last time and bids to take another such scalp on his way to what would be his biggest win on the level.

Tritonic is racing off 41lb lower than his hurdles rating – so 14lb higher in comparison to Metier on their jumps marks. However, at least Tritonic has recent Flat form.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Haggas goes for another big Saturday prize

A remarkable season for William Haggas can finish with one final big Saturday winner as Nathanael Greene tackles this prestigious end-of-season prize.

He will look to give jockey apprentice jockey Adam Farragher the biggest winner of his career and his three-year-old mount will thrive on the testing ground.

Haggas, whose tally for the year hit 160 earlier this week, said: "He's very well and he'll like the ground. He just needed the run last time. He'd been off all summer as we'd been waiting for the ground and he was a bit rusty. I imagine he'll stay the trip well so he should have a chance in a competitive race."

What they say

Alan King, trainer of Tritonic and On To Victory
Tritonic has been in good form at home but has to carry topweight in a very competitive handicap. On To Victory won this race two years ago when 7lb higher. I was pleased how well he ran at Goodwood. Like Tritonic, he'll go back over hurdles after this.

William Easterby, assistant to Tim Easterby, trainer of Dark Jedi, Mr Curiosity and Ring Of Beara
Dark Jedi loved the heavy ground when he won at Doncaster last time. The handicapper has been a little bit cheeky and put him up an additional 2lb on Tuesday, so he's running off 100 here. If he gets beaten a head or a length we won't be happy but he should run a good race. We've just bought Mr Curiosity in the Autumn sales and this will be his first run for us. He shapes like a good horse and he loves this ground. Ring Of Beara is a lovely horse, we thought we'd have a go off bottom weight before going juvenile hurdling.

George Scott, trainer of Prydwen
He's been improving and I was impressed with him at Haydock last time out. He should handle the ground fine. This is a step up in grade but I like this horse a lot and I think he's going in the right direction. He deserves his place in the race.

George Boughey, trainer of Mr Alan
I've been waiting all year for the softer ground and he ran very well when winning the last day. He steps back in trip but is in super shape and hopefully runs a good race.

Harry Fry, trainer of Metier
This is an opportunity to get a run in his favoured conditions. It's his first run on the Flat in a while but it's an interesting roll of the dice. He's well in himself and ready to get started so hopefully we can pick up a share of the prize-money.
Reporting by James Stevens

Saturday's British and Irish previews:

1.50 Wincanton: 'The handicapper has given him a chance' - can Frodon carry off another big win?

2.11 Aintree: Could the Topham prove the key to the Grand Sefton once again?

2.32 Down Royal: Ladbrokes Champion Chase: 'He has race fitness on his side' - Elliott on Galvin

3.00 Wincanton: Can Sceau Royal land a fourth Elite Hurdle and make the race his own?

3.07 Down Royal: 'He has a great chance on ratings' - Grade 1 winner Fury Road makes seasonal bow

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