'No reason he can't run a massive race' - why one trainer is up for the Portland

Sunday: 2.10 Doncaster
Coral Portland Handicap | 5½f | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

All eyes will be on the draw for what is one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the season and, although Doncaster is generally considered a fair track, you don’t want to be low.

After adjustments for non-runners, horses from single-figure stalls beat just 45 per cent of their rivals in this race since the start of 2010 and only three winners came from those gates.

Runners who were drawn in double figures have a much better record, having beaten 54 per cent of rivals and contributed nine of the last 12 winners. It’s clear where the advantage lies.

It’s therefore no surprise the market likes three horses who are drawn in double-figure stalls, with Whenthedealinsdone (stall 20), Makanah (13) and Chipstead (14) heading the betting.

Whenthedealinsdone finished fifth in this race last year, off a mark 1lb lower than from which he runs off here, and he is an improved performer this season judged on Racing Post Ratings.

He recorded a career-best RPR of 107 when scoring by three lengths in an Ascot handicap over 5f last time, when he looked well suited by the stiff track. The extra half a furlong here should be in his favour and he looks like a Group sprinter in the making.

Muthmir: Portland winner in 2014Credit: Edward Whitaker

This is a race that throws up Group sprinters, too. Muthmir (2014), Steps (2015) and Hurricane Ivor (2021) all won in Group 2 or 3 company subsequently and who could forget Oxted three years ago? He landed the Portland for Whenthedealinsdone's trainer Roger Teal before going to capture the July Cup and King’s Stand.

All four of those lumped 9st 4lb or more to victory and nine horses in this will race carrying at least that much weight, including Whenthedealinsdone. Makanah (drawn 13) and Bergerac (drawn 22) are others who have the potential to defy a big weight en route to Group races.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Steve Brown, assistant to Julie Camacho, trainer of Makanah
He's run consistently well all year on ground he doesn't particularly like and the key to his chance is if it's soft, which he enjoys. He did not enjoy the best of luck at York last time, but hopefully he can get a smoother passage from a decent draw.

Roger Teal, trainer of Whenthedealinsdone and Chipstead
Whenthedealinsdone ran a lovely race in it last year to be fifth and obviously he was very impressive last week when winning at Ascot. He's up 10lb for that though, which makes life a bit trickier. It was on the easy side that day and if he can back that up there is no reason why he can't run a massive race. He’s drawn in 20 but is close to Bergerac so he could get a decent tow into it. Chipstead was very impressive at Sandown last time but is unproven on the ground. If he handles it, however, there is no reason why he can’t run a solid race.

Paul Midgley: Burning Cash has sound claims, says the trainerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Midgley, trainer of Burning Cash
He's a low draw, but a few of them ran well from there earlier in the week. He's handled soft ground in the past when he was third in a Group 3 at Newmarket as a youngster and Ryan Sexton takes off a decent 5lb. He has to come late, so hopefully we get a clear run and if he does he has a decent chance.

Tracy Waggott, trainer of Intrinsic Bond and Ghathanfar
Both of them don't like tacky ground, so hopefully it's not too bad and they can get through it. Intrinsic Bond is drawn high and Ghathanfar low so we've all bases covered.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Lequinto
I have slight reservations about the ground, but he's been in good form all year and we expect a decent run. He has an each-way chance.

Alastair Donald, spokesman for King Power Racing, owners of Sunday Sovereign
He’s not had his ground this year, so hopefully should be in business and this trip of five and a half furlongs should suit him well.

Martin Smith, trainer of Atalanta's Boy
He was a bit fresh last time so hopefully he'll settle down this time. He has form on heavy so should handle the ground and we have Jacob Clark taking off a handy 7lb.

John Quinn, trainer of Lord Riddiford
He's missed a few engagements lately due to firm ground so hopefully should enjoy this surface a bit more and has a chance in a typically open Portland.

Roger Varian, trainer of Dusky Lord
He’s been running well all year but this will be different ground so we’ll see how he copes with it.
Reporting by David Milnes

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