Royal can return to winning ways at Doncaster

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 29.06.2012

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Alan Swinbank's Royal Swain is fancied to land Doncaster's very competitive Preserve Access to Justice Handicap at 4.10 this afternoon.

The 6-y-o was back to his best when scoring over this course and distance on seasonal debut early last month from a 1lb lower mark. He was not so good at Musselburgh next time when not getting the clearest of runs in the straight, and then faced an inadequate test of stamina on his latest start. A return to this venue on drying decent ground seems ideal, and winning rider Robert Winston is back in the saddle.

The £6,500 prize money has attracted a big field and there are plenty of dangers, with perhaps the consistent Favourite Girl the biggest threat. Michael Appleby's filly has recaptured her best for this new stable in 2012, winning at Southwell in February and placed on all four starts since. She failed to quite see out this new trip here last time out however, and will need to be produced late on by Cathy Gannon if her stamina is to hold out.

Tim Easterby's Getabuzz won two warm 1m4f handicaps at Hamilton and Ripon in 2011, and bounced back from a below par effort at York last month to finish third here three weeks ago. He must go well again off a 1lb lower mark from a good draw in stall one (can secure a decent early pitch in this big field of stayers).

Harvey's Hope should now be spot on after two pipeopeners this term. He won over this trip at Redcar last July and a positive market move would further encourage support from a rating that should be well within his capabilitites.

Kieran Fallon catches the eye as a rare booking for the Jim Goldie stable on board Johnny Delta and he is another with claims. The 5-y-o ran well when fourth at Musselburgh last time out, but does tend to reserve his best efforts for that track and appears in the grip of the handicapper after a consistent spell.

Luggers Hall has improved over hurdles in the winter and translated that form to the flat when finishing a creditable runner-up at Goodwood 21 days ago. He is not always the most willing under pressure though and this represents a step up in class, while Bradbury has struggled since the handicapper took action following a winning seasonal bow in soft ground (fit from the jumps).

At a bigger price Purification may outrun his odds with the Gosden/Buick combination in sparkling form in the past month. He stripped fitter for his return when third at this course in April and is worth another try in blinkers after not getting the breaks at Haydock last time. This step up in trip needs to bring about some improvement to defy topweight, but he has only had seven career starts and is far less exposed than most.

In summary, a fiercely competitive handicap where a case can be made for nearly all the runners. Royal Swain has had excuses for both starts since his reappearance win and appeals as a solid each-way bet at around 10-1 this morning.

Stephen's Friday Nap Desert Sunrise 2.00 Doncaster

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