Hot views on a hot race as Hyperfocus bids for handicap hat-trick

3.35 Doncaster
Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | ATR

A gelding operation has transformed Hyperfocus in more ways than one and the three-year-old is chasing a handicap hat-trick in this £20,000 contest.

Hyperfocus has won two races on testing ground at Haydock since the procedure in August and has risen 13lb in the handicap for those triumphs.

He appears to have an obvious chance, although recent trends suggest punters should show caution about the only three-year-old in the 22-runner event.

Three-year-old favourites have been defeated in three of the last seven renewals, while just one of that age-group, Servoca in 2009, has won in the last ten years.

Course record points to Naadirr

Course winners have landed the prize in the last two years and Naadirr bids to take his record to three victories from four starts at Town Moor.

NAADIRR and Martin Harley (right) wins the 2015 Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster

Middleham Park Racing's horse, trained by Kevin Ryan – who also runs Big Time – won the Listed Cammidge Trophy and a conditions stakes at Doncaster when trained by Marco Botti, and there was promise in his recent unlucky eighth at Kempton.

Levey and Walker team up with Colby

Sean Levey rides for the doubly-represented Ed Walker for the first time on Captain Colby, who ran well when a staying-on seventh in the Portland on his penultimate start at the track last month – a race he won off a 5lb higher mark than Friday’s rating the year before.

What they say

Charlie Hills, trainer of Shanghai Glory and Gunmetal
We’ve put a line through Shanghai Glory’s last run at Haydock as the ground was awful. He’s had a light season and hopefully has more to offer. Gunmetal has had some time since his last run in July and is in the sales next week.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Flying Pursuit
He’s in great form, will love the juice in the ground and the track should suit him, so we’re expecting another good run. He’s been fantastic for us this year.

Ed Walker, trainer of Aeolus and Captain Colby
Aeolus is in great form and very overdue a win. He’s the better of the two but is weighted accordingly. They’re down to very winnable marks and Captain Colby only ever runs well at Doncaster. They’ve got good chances, with the cut in the ground in their favour.

Robert Cowell, trainer of Outback Traveller
He was a little unlucky at York, where he met a lot of traffic problems, but that was his first piece of proper form that indicates he’s starting to get back on track. He’s starting to look well handicapped again and, with good to soft ground in his favour, I’m hopeful of a good run.

Outback Traveller (right) wins the 2016 Wokingham under Martin HarleyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Hyperfocus
He had a sticky start to the season but won well the last twice. He handles very soft ground, so we're hoping it doesn't dry out too much, and there's still some improvement to come.

Paul Midgley, trainer of Naggers
He’s had a couple of poor runs but galloped well in the last week. I’m expecting a good run.

Adam Ryan, son of and assistant to trainer Kevin Ryan, trainer of Big Time and Naadirr
Big Time has been unlucky this year and he’s very well in himself. Naadirr has been a shade disappointing but is better than ever at home and has good course form. He enjoys the hustle and bustle of a big field and should go well.

Bryan Smart, trainer of Red Pike
We’re very happy with him and he keeps running well in big-field handicaps. He does want better ground, though, so we’re hoping they don’t have too much rain.

Richard Fahey, trainer of George Bowen
He ran well at Haydock behind Hyperfocus and won’t mind the cut in the ground. It depends what mood he’s in.

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