Doncaster Tips: Jagwar could be the star in the opener

There are five cards across Britain and Ireland on a busy Thursday, Feb 8th, including a trio of jumps fixtures at Doncaster, Huntingdon and Thurles, as well as a couple of all-weather cards from Lingfield and Newcastle.

Here, we focus on Doncaster’s meeting where they host a seven-race card with the feature event being the Class 3 handicap at 2.40.

We’ve picked out three selections to follow including an each-way play in the feature race.

12.55 Doncaster - Jagwar @ 11/8

It was a much-improved effort from Idefix De Ciergues when just caught on the line at Wincanton last time out, seemingly relishing the return to this sort of trip with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

There’s no guarantee that the headgear is going to have the same effect this time around though and the less exposed JAGWAR might be the one worth siding with.

The J P McManus owned runner ran a big race at Auteuil on debut and he looked even more promising on his British debut at Aintree when making his first start for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

He wasn’t seen to best effect in that run in October, forced to make up plenty of ground from rear and he had excuses at Haydock subsequently.

He seemed to be unsuited by a drop back to the minimum trip that day and losing a shoe won’t helped the five-year-old either. That effort is well worth excusing and he can resume progress back at an intermediate sort of distance, particularly with better ground like to suit the son of Karaktar.

2.40 Doncaster - Bass Rock @ 10/1

The feature race of the day, the Class 3 SBK Handicap Hurdle, is one of the better betting races on the card.

Pentland Hills returned with a creditable effort over this course and distance when last seen in December. That was his first run for roughly 11 months and connections will be hoping his subsequent break allows him avoid the bounce factor.

He’s become well treated and has to be high on the shortlist, but, at a bigger price, BASS ROCK may represent a bit of value.

He looked very promising a few seasons ago and, while he hasn’t shown much in two runs this time around, his yard are in much better shape now.

He can operate from his much lower hurdle mark here and he may be capable of outrunning decent odds.

3.50 Doncaster - Airtothethrone @ 11/1

It was a promising start to life over fences for AIRTOTHETHRONE last season, steadily progressing despite just winning once.

He appeared to need his return from seven months off at Chepstow on his penultimate start, but he was in the process of running a massive race in defeat when coming down at Lingfield subsequently.

He’s been left on the same mark for that and, if he finds any improvement following a recent wind operation, he can outrun his odds if he puts in a clear round.

Horse Racing tips from Betfred Insights.