Tom Collins with his expert analysis of a trappy Portland Handicap

2.25 Doncaster
bet365 Portland Handicap | 5½f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

This is one of the toughest races to solve all season, especially given the vast majority of the 22-strong field have been primed for a crack at this coveted prize off largely falling handicap marks.

Seven of the last ten winners of the Portland have returned with a starting price between 12-1 and 25-1 and, given the competitive nature of this year's contest, if you can find the winner, then you will be awarded with a healthy return.

The best horse to start with is A Momentofmadness, who won this race in all-the-way fashion in 2018 and finished a highly creditable second when looking to retain his crown 12 months ago. The only horse that beat him was Oxted, who subsequently plundered the Group 1 Darley July Cup.

A Momentofmadness hasn't won since his game display two years ago, tallying up 13 defeats in the process, but his mark has consequently fallen to just 91 (8lb lower than when successful here) and he returned to something like his best when third at Goodwood in July.

A Momentofmadness and William Buick lead from start to finish in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster in 2018Credit: Stephen Pond Getty images

Drawn well in gate ten, this Charlie Hills-trained runner will adopt his customary front-running tactics and look to hold off all the challengers inside the final furlong, a feat that isn't often achieved in big-field sprints.

Other horses returning for another crack at the Portland after falling at the hands of Oxted 12 months ago include: Arecibo, Wentworth Falls, Justanotherbottle, Orvar and Konchek.

Arecibo finished best of the rest when fourth and is able to compete off 7lb lower this year for trainer David O'Meara, who struck gold in this race in 2012, while Wentworth Falls and Justanotherbottle have unquestionably been trained with this race in mind and look viable each-way plays at double-figure prices.

Several improving five-year-olds are towards the top of the market, including likely favourite Soldier's Minute and course winner Jawwaal, both of whom were seen in a similar handicap at York last month.

Jawwaal: won his first two races this year before disappointing at YorkCredit: Mark Cranham

Soldier's Minute produced a strong, late kick to finish second of 21 that day, a sign he is back firing on all cylinders. It's a concern that he remains 4lb above his highest winning mark though, and Jawwaal may be able to turn the form around given his affinity for this track.

The only three-year-old in the field is the Mark Johnston-trained Meraas, who began his racing career in March and already has a mark of 102. He hasn't had the rub of the green at Goodwood and York the last two times, but the track and ground conditions should suit him a lot better here.

Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Salem Bel Obaida, owner of Meraas
He has plenty of weight for a three-year-old but we think this is his best trip. It was a bit soft for him last time and he should appreciate the drying ground.

David Griffiths, trainer of Ornate
He's a bit in-and-out but if he got back to the form of his third to Battaash in a Group 2 at Goodwood, he'd have a good chance. The ground is drying up all the time which will suit him.

Shane Gray, rider of Soldier's Minute
He ran very well at York last time but would prefer six furlongs really. He goes there with a good shout but we'll have to see how it goes from his draw right on the stands' rail.

Clive Cox, trainer of Konchek
He enjoyed a morale-boosting win at Salisbury last time, since when we've had this race in mind for him as we think five and a half furlongs is his perfect trip. He's got the visor on first time, which may be no bad thing from stall one.

Geoffrey Harker, trainer of Wentworth Falls
Hopefully, it can be third-time lucky in the race for him and the drying ground is in his favour. He's drawn bang in the middle in stall 11, so could go either way.

Wentworth Falls (grey): looks to make it third-time lucky in this raceCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Alastair Donald of King Power Racing, owners of Stone Of Destiny
He looks like getting fast ground and I think this is his perfect distance. He's a hold-up horse who's been running well and one day he'll get lucky in one of these good ones. He ran well last time at Sandown on ground that was probably too soft for him and up against a well-handicapped horse.

Charlie Hills, trainer of A Momentofmadness
He loves this race – he won it a couple of years ago – and ran a decent race last time at Goodwood. The ground should be fine for him but it's competitive as it always is.

Paul Midgley, trainer of Orvar and Saluti
We've got all bases covered as we have one drawn on each side. Orvar did well to win at Chester last time but could have done with the ground staying on the easy side. On the other hand, Saluti wants it quick and this is his best trip, although stall 20 may be a hindrance.

Saluti (orange): one of two runners for trainer Paul MidgleyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

George Wood, rider of Hans Solo Berger
He's really improved this year and ran a great race at York over this trip the time before last when he was maybe a bit far back. He's got plenty of pace around him where he is drawn and I think he has a good shout.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Wedding Date
She’s a real tough filly who always runs her race and Theo Ladd's 3lb claim will be a big advantage in a race as competitive as this. I’ve been happy with her at home and she goes there in good shape.

Reporting by David Milnes

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