The last race on the card at Doncaster on Sunday is a 2 miler Class 4 fixture. This should be a pretty competitive run out as well with Yaa Salaam holding favouritism. But there are some big contenders for the honours breathing down his neck.
Doncaster 15:20 Race Odds*
Yaa Salaam 3/1
Twin Star 7/2
Gunnery 4/1
Local Affair 6/1
The Twisler 9/1
Shanroe Tic Tec 9/1
Reverend Jacobs 10/1
Successor 16/1
Zig Zag 20/1
Val Mome 20/1
Christopher Robin 25/1
Clemento 25/1
* (betting odds taken from Boylesports on December 28th, 2019 at 8:25 pm)
Will Yaa Salaam get the victory?
Trainer David Pipe will be looking to Yaa Salaam to deliver the goods in this one. He goes as the top rated horse in this field. He has had a decent start to his National Hunt career with two places in three starts. Yaa Salaam was last out at Lingfield in November over the 2m distance and took second place from starting odds of 3/1. Looks to be rapidly improving and will probably be favourite on race day.
The key challengers
Twin Star, Gunnery and Local Affair have all been well-backed for the contest. Of them it is Nicky Henderson’s Gunnery who has hit some winning form this season. That was a success at Market Rasen back in July where he started as massive odds-on favorite over 2m 2f. He lined up at Wincanton in late November however and was third from last over 2m 3f after starting as favourite. That’s the thing with him, he is a horse that is up and down with form, but should be a threat if he gets it right. But can he be written off after one misfire?
Twin Star has one place finish from his three previous National Hunt starts. His last race was at 2m at Huntington in early December where he put in a very solid performance to take third. That is why he is priced handily in this one at 4/1 having gone from 8/1 in his last outing. Local Affair has proven consistency and the 3-year-old has tremendous promise. She has nailed three places from four National Hunt starts. Was a distance third in her latest run at Aintree at 2m 1f. But is a hard worker and has the handicap on her side so at 6/1 will have plenty of appeal * (betting odds taken from Boylesports on December 28th, 2019 at 8:25 pm).
Shanroe Tic Tec
The Irish 7 year old is a former distance winner, having claimed three hurdle victories from 2m to 2m 1f. So this is right in his wheelhouse. He put in a very good shift as well in his most recent outing, coming home third at Ludlow back in May. Shanore Tic Tec had a very good start to the calendar year and the last time that he came back from at least a 60 day break he claimed a victory at Sandown in March this year. He will have to defy some higher weight, but for a 9/1 shot, there is some form there* (betting odds taken from Boylesports on December 28th, 2019 at 8:25 pm).
Predictions
Yaa Salaam has been improving and hasn’t turned in a bad performance yet in his three runs out of the hurdles. He does look the genuine front runner here and has been handled well in only having been lightly raced. But Shanroe Tic Tac, despite not having had a recent run out for this one, comes in with plenty of appeal.
Boylesports Money Back if selection finishes 2nd to the SP Favourite
Money Back as a free bet if your selection finishes 2nd to the SP favourite at Doncaster & Leopardstown, Sunday 29th December 2019 with Boylesports. 18+. Max refund £/€20. Outright Betting market only. Singles only. Online Customers must opt-in to receive this offer. T&Cs apply.
Key Terms & Conditions
Opt-in, and place a bet on any horse at Doncaster & Leopardstown, Sunday 29th December 2019.
If your horse finishes 2nd to the starting price favourite, we will refund your stake as a free bet
Stake refunded as free bet if your selection finishes 2nd to the starting price favourite at Newbury & Leopardstown, Saturday 28th December 2019.
Online Customers must opt-in to receive this offer.
Max refund £/€20 per customer as a free bet.
Applies to Outright Betting only.
Applies to win singles & win part of e/w singles only.
Does not apply to antepost bets.
Does not apply to Combined Odds.
Only first bet on each race qualifies for promotion.
If there are Joint/Co SP Favourites in the Race, both shall be deemed as an SP Favourite.
2nd place refund applies only to races with 5 or more runners.
Free bets and void bets do not qualify for this promotion.
Free bets will be applied within 24 hours and will expire after seven days.
Applies to UK and Ireland customers through all channels.
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. See bookmaker for full details.
