Thursday 3rd March:

#NAP – NEXTDOORTOALICE (4.15 Doncaster) – This mare has been consistent since joining the Alex Hales-yard. She won on her stable debut, by ten-lengths over this C&D back in late November, before going down by a neck next time out under a penalty. The form of that has taken several boosts since, with no less than five of the horses winning since (a couple have won twice), and her latest second at Warwick was a good one as that came in a hot little novice event. She is unraced on softer ground, but breeding would suggest that she should be fine if the going was to take a turn for the worse, and I’d expect her to go very close if improving any further. (3/1) – Bet365 – 1pt – Lost (-1)

IWAC – JUSTIFIED (5.20 Doncaster) – I tipped this horse two days ago when deemed a non-runner on account of the very soft ground at Wincanton. The current going is good-to-soft here, and I’m hoping the rain doesn’t do too much damage overnight. This five-year-old is three-times a winner on the flat (once over 1m4f & twice over 1m6f) and now takes a step into handicap company over hurdles, having competed in three maiden/novice events to date. He wasn’t beaten far on his hurdling bow, when just under three-lengths behind the winner in third, and his next start can be forgiven (when eighth) as that came in a pretty hot novice event at Taunton, won by now 130-rated Brave Kingdom. He can also be excused his latest fourth over a trip too short, around the sharp-natured track of Fakenham and this step back up in trip looks a positive move with his staying-on attributes on the flat hinting that he’ll be much more at home over a trip like this. He starts life in handicaps off a mark of just 102, which can be exploited in my opinion, so hopefully the ground stays in his favour and he can run his race here. Each-way options are mostly four places, with Sky Bet paying five. (14/1) – Sky Bet – 0.5pt ew (5 places) – N/R (0)

Stake: 2pts

March P/L: -1.3pts

Overall P/L (Sept ’17-present): +618.76pts