Can James Ewart strike gold again with another promising French youngster?

Saturday: 2.40 Doncaster
Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap Chase (Go North Monet's Garden Series Qualifier) | 2m3f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

James Ewart struck gold when acquiring last season’s stable star Empire De Maulde from France and now he bids to have success with his half-brother Heroique De Maulde, who will wear the same colours as his stablemate on his second start since joining Ewart from France.

The five-year-old had five starts over fences on the continent and left former trainer Augustin Adeline De Boisbrunet on a successful note after recording a first win in November last year.

He was off for nearly a year before returning to make his stable debut at this course a month ago and losing by just a short-head behind the well-handicapped Hidden Commander. The pair pulled 11 lengths clear of the remainder and Heroique De Maulde has gone up 4lb since.

He touched a low of 1.22 in running on Betfair that day and might only have been found out by the lack of a recent run. There will be no excuses on that score here and he could improve.

If he is to break his maiden in Britain, he will need to beat a competitive field and two of his main rivals come into the race on the back of a win.

Maninsane and Getaway Luv are the pair in question and Maninsane appears to have been let off lightly after a 3lb rise for his victory. Lily Pinchin gets on particularly well with Maninsane and her 3lb claim could be crucial.

Sam England saddled the 2019 winner of this race, Well Smitten, and she is back for another go with Croagh Patrick. Well Smitten was making his debut for the yard, but Croagh Patrick is already a two-time winner for them and he shaped well when second at Carlisle in October.

He was never travelling when pulled up at Uttoxeter last time, though, so has to bounce back here.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Fete Champetre has 'everything to suit'

Rose Dobbin is hoping Fete Champetre can resume his progress at a “more suitable track” after the seven-year-old underperformed on his Kelso reappearance.

The winner on three of his ten starts - a bumper, maiden hurdle, and handicap hurdle off a mark of 115 - Fete Champetre is expected to do even better over fences, and Dobbin believes most factors are in his favour at Doncaster.

“We have always thought a lot of this horse,” she said. “He has lots of ability, but was a bit disappointing on his first run back at Kelso.

“There were reasons for that below-par performance. It was a step up in trip for him, and we dropped him out too far at the back.

“It was quite a good race - better than the one at Doncaster on Saturday - and they went a good gallop. Basically he was on the back foot from the start, and could never get into it.”

Dobbin has deliberately given Fete Champetre a short break since that run at the beginning of last month, and expects him to return firing on all cylinders.

“He likes a bit of decent ground, which he should get at Doncaster,” she said. “It’s a nice big track, and a slightly shorter trip than at Kelso. I’m hopeful that everything will suit, and that he will run a good race.”

Fete Champetre competes off 113 on Town Moor, and regular partner Craig Nichol is in the saddle.

What they say

Lizzie Quinlan, trainer of Getaway Luv
I was delighted with him at Catterick and he’s come out of that race really well. A left-handed flat track suits him. We all love this horse at home. He did it so well at Catterick, and it will be brilliant if he can build on that at Doncaster. He was rated a lot higher over hurdles earlier in his career, and if we are able to eke some of that out then hopefully he’ll be able to progress a bit more over fences.

James Ewart, trainer of Heroique De Maulde
He’s been training well since he finished second at Newcastle, and Brian [Hughes] and I think he’ll like the course. He is only a five-year-old – that’s the only negative. He’s well, and goes there in good form.

Sam England, trainer of Croagh Patrick
He ran well below his best at Uttoxeter last time. I don’t know why. He was most progressive over fences last season, and won the valuable Go North Monet’s Garden Series Final on good ground at Carlisle in April. That will be his major target again this season.

Saturday's previews:

1.30 Doncaster: 'I'll be disappointed if he doesn't take the beating' - Harris in bullish mood

1.50 Cheltenham: 'He's crying out for this trip' - key trainer quotes for the December Gold Cup

2.25 Cheltenham: Twiston-Davies 'pretty confident' - but can I Like To Move It down Epatante?

3.00 Cheltenham: 'He goes there with a lovely chance' - Nicholls excited for Albert Bartlett trial

Newcastle: 'He had a great time last season' - all you need to know for Newcastle

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