SBK Gold Trophy: analysis and a recommended bet for Friday's sponsored race
By Tom Collins
18 March 2022
If the final day of the 2022 Cheltenham festival isn’t your cup of tea and you want to mix it up a bit, look no further than the SBK Gold Trophy Novices’ Handicap Chase (2.00pm) at Doncaster.
This 2m4½f event, which offers a cool £25,000 prize pot, has drawn a competitive field and SBK has an offer that is too good to miss! You will receive a £10 free bet for the Cheltenham Gold Cup when you bet £10 on the SBK Gold Trophy at Doncaster. Tom Collins provides a brief analysis on each of the nine runners.
1. Global Fame
Jockey: Connor Brace
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Form figures: 3524-5
A two-time winner from eight races under rules, although he hasn’t won since March 2020 and was beaten 43 lengths on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow in December. Takes a notable drop in class for Fergal O’Brien, who is 3-12 (25% strike-rate) with his chasers here in the last five years.
2. Zoffalee
Jockey: Aaron Anderson
Trainer: Mike Sowersby
Form figures: -P4P3P
Largely inconsistent gelding whose last win came almost three years ago for former trainer Andrew McMamara. Began his career as a sprinter with Tom Dascombe and was last seen on the Flat at Dundalk. Now makes his first start for a new trainer.
3. Baron De Midleton
Jockey: Nathan Moscrop
Trainer: Brian Ellison
Form figures: 222P3
Consistent performer who has struggled to get his head in front over fences (0-12). However, he has finished second on no fewer than six occasions and is handicapped to go close off a mark of 119. Fitted with a first-time visor.
4. Douglas Talking
Jockey: Derek Fox
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Form figures: 53411
Lightly raced six-year-old who is unbeaten in two starts since being sent chasing by Lucinda Russell, who was in the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham earlier this week. He bolted up over a shorter trip at Sandown last month and has been hit with a 7lb hike.
5. O Connell Street
Jockey: William Shanahan
Trainer: Kevin Frost
Form figures: 553P3
Well-bred conveyance who hasn’t been the easiest to train and now finds himself with Kevin Frost after spells with Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott. Some of his best form last year would make him a leading player here.
6. Ahead Of The Field
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
Trainer: Emma Lavelle
Form figures: 1-8172
Impressive maiden hurdle winner for former connections in Ireland this time last year, and has improved since switching to Emma Lavelle. He’s been tried over a couple of trips and seems to dislike the whip, but caught the eye when second over this course and distance recently.
7. Broadway Joe
Jockey: Danny McMenamin
Trainer: Nick Alexander
Form figures: -11122
Smooth-travelling eight-year-old who has been performing at the top of his game all season. His last four runs have come at Musselburgh and this is a different test, but he should be suited by the race setup and represents an in-form yard.
8. Lakota Warrior
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Form figures: 3524-5
Unexposed novice who wasn’t beaten far by subsequent winner Richmond Lake on his penultimate start at Wetherby in December. Not so good last time when stuff at 1-2, but represents powerful connections and could be leniently treated.
9. Cilluirid
Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Form figures: 311P3
Sedgefield specialist who returned from a short break to finish third at Catterick last month. Races off bottom weight but might be in the grip of the handicapper off a mark of 113.
Recommended bet:
Ahead Of The Field @ 21/5