The Daily Star’s Chief Tipster Jason Heavey reckons Alan King fields the best bet at Doncaster on Thursday
I’M A LUMBERJACK (2.25, nb) can chop down his rivals and open his account for the season in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on Thursday.
The charge of Alan King won twice in novice company last term, impressing at Warwick and Bangor, and looked in need of the run when fifth on his return to action in a competitive handicap at Newbury in November.
He returned to the Berkshire track over the festive period and produced what was arguably a career-best performance in a first-time hood to finish second to the progressive Andashan, who had previously filled the runner-up spot behind Stayers’ Hurdle contender Kabral Du Mathan at Haydock.
I’m A Lumberjack is up 3lb to a revised mark of 123, but there is every chance he has not reached his ceiling just yet.
Faye Bramley’s PAGGANE (2.00, trb) is impossible to oppose in the Listed Gin and Dubonnet Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon.
The seven-year-old, formerly trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, registered two impressive victories at this level in November, winning without being fully extended at both Carlisle and Market Rasen.
She came up a little short against the Mullins-trained Spindleberry in her hat-trick bid at Doncaster recently, but a return to a right-handed track should see her in a better light and she is miles clear of these rivals on official ratings.
AISLING OSCAR (7.00, nap) can record a remarkable eighth successive win – all in the past 72 days – at Southwell.
The magnificent seven all came at Newcastle – interchanging between seven furlongs and today’s mile trip in the Win 250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap.
The switch to Southwell is an interesting call by his trainer Adrian Keatley but the handicapper may still not have caught up with this game five-year-old.
The other good thing at Southwell is ASIA FORCE (5.30), who shaped with plenty of promise despite being beaten at odds-on on his Newcastle debut early in the new year and can reward those who stick with him in the BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Novice Stakes.
Thursday tips
HUNTINGDON
12.50 A Good Yomp
1.25 Carpe Diem
2.00 Paggane (trb)
2.35 Lunar Orbit
3.10 Act Of Innocence
3.43 Stamina Chope
4.18 Loch Ness Pineau
DONCASTER
12.40 Call Your Bluff
1.15 Milou Du Chenet
1.50 King Esoteric
2.25 I’m A Lumberjack (nb)
3.00 Kalhandrion
3.35 Busty Boy
4.10 Scavengers Reign
LINGFIELD
1.35 Tommy Dillon
2.10 Big Ticket
2.45 Love You Back
3.20 Officer Of State
3.55 Getaway With You
4.30 El Rojo Grande
SOUTHWELL
3.50 Scenario
4.25 Up The Monk
5.00 Mr Juggles
5.30 Asia Force
6.00 Night Bear
6.30 Free Pic
7.00 Aisling Oscar (nap)
7.30 Reginald Charles
8.00 King Of York
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