Family of Leeds fans hoping Bielsa can plot Portland victory

1.50 Doncaster
William Hill Portland Handicap | 5½f, 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

A family of avid Leeds United fans are hoping Bielsa will carry their club's white, blue and yellow colours with distinction in this historic and valuable sprint handicap.

Named after the Championship favourite's colourful Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa, the Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old heads the market for the Portland after an unbeaten run of three races.

Owned and bred by Martin and Iris Wainwright's Highbank Stud, Bielsa is the latest of the Wetherby operation's runners to be named in honour of Leeds United.

"My dad has been a Leeds season-ticket holder for 40 years, we go watching them home and away and have also named horses such as Radebe, Bremner and Reviette after Don Revie," said the couple's son Tom.

"The naming of this horse has worked out well as Bielsa is doing such a revolutionary job at Leeds and this horse is unbeaten in three starts, so you can draw comparisons."

Key stat: Nine of the last ten winners have come from a double-figure stall

The Wainwrights are happy to have Kevin Stott in the saddle, even though he is a Manchester United fan, and Ryan is confident of a bold show.

"He's relatively inexperienced for a big-field handicap, but his record is three from three," said the trainer. "He's an improving horse with a great temperament."

Hills hope set for another magic moment

Last year's winner A Momentofmadness made a timely return to form at York last month when a close sixth behind four of these rivals.

That 5½f handicap won by rapidly improving sprinter Dakota Gold provides a key formline with Marnie James, Arecibo, Makanah and Watchable finishing in front of A Momentofmadness.

Charlie Hills, who also won the race with Angels Will Fall in 2013, said: "He won the race last year and we're pretty hopeful of another big run. We were really pleased with him at York last time when he returned to somewhere near his best. It's good to have William Buick on board as he gets on well with the horse."

What the trainers say

Tim Easterby, trainer of Copper Knight
I've been struggling to place him as he can't get in a lot of handicaps off his mark. He's got top weight and Danny Redmond takes off 5lb. Some of his best form is on soft ground, but he usually runs well whatever the conditions.

Pam Sly, trainer of Dazzling Dan
He seems well but it's a tough race and I don't know whether he's up to this standard. He's running over slightly shorter than he's been used to, but I think the trip will be fine. He has good form at the course and is versatile with regards to the ground.

David O'Meara, trainer of Arecibo, Watchable and Muscika
Arecibo has been running well and the trip and ground will suit. The five and a half furlongs will also suit Watchable, who has been in good form all year. Muscika ran well in the race last year and although he was below par last time, I'm sure he'll bounce back.

Declan Carroll, trainer of Justanotherbottle
He's come out of his Sandown win very well and although I'm not sure about his high draw, we've got a good man on board [Frankie Dettori] to overcome it. He was third in this race in 2017, but he's a better horse now and we're expecting a big run.

Paul Midgley, trainer of Orvar
Leigh Roche is coming over from Ireland to ride him and I hope his trip will be worthwhile. I hope they on put a bit of water – on good ground he has a chance. He won well here then he ran a good race at York last time.

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