THE flat season comes to an end at Doncaster tomorrow when the big betting race will be the ultra competitive November Handicap (3.10).
Luca Cumani saddles the heavily-backed favourite Presvis who has been at the top of the market since the weights came out.
The four-year-old absolutely sleuced in at Newbury last time out by seven lengths, but has to shoulder top weight as a result.
He could be a listed-Group horse in wolf’s clothing, but he has yet to prove that he acts on the forecast soft going and at 4-1 is plenty short enough for me and I will be looking to take him on as a result.
One horse that does look to have a perfect profile for the race is Clive Cox’s Electrolyser, who has raced just four times – winning two and finishing runner-up on both other occasions.
As a result of being lightly raced the handicapper has faced a real problem in assessing this progressive three-year-old and looks to have given him a great chance by allotting him only 8st 7lb.
He is also proven in soft ground so punters know that everything is in place for a massive run and 7-1 looks terrific each-way value.
Of the bigger priced horses, Willie Musson's Magicalmysterytour should go well along with the mud-loving Pevensey.
Of the supporting card, I like the look of Harry Patch in the nursery at 1.30 and Commander Cave in the “lucky last” at 3.45.
Wanderers put up a real battling performance to beat Manchester City last weekend and climb off the bottom of the Premiership and will be looking to build on that in a tough away game at Hull.
The two sides have not met in the league since they were both in Division Two in the 1992-93 season when Wanderers did the double on their rivals. That year they beat the Tigers 2-1 in the away game, and I am sure Gary Megson would be delighted if they could stage a repeat performance. They are 11-1 with me to repeat the scoreline.
Bolton are 12-5 to get another vital three points in the bag, with the home side the favourites on current form at 11-10. It’s 12-5 the draw.
Hull are sure to prove tough nuts to crack as they have taken some big-named scalps already this season and nearly nabbed a point in a thrilling comeback against United at Old Trafford last weekend.
However, in what promises to be a game full of end to end action I’ve got a sneaking feeling Wanderers won’t come away empty handed and, at the odds on offer, would be tempted by the 12-5 for a draw.
For those brave enough, 2-2 appeals as a likely scoreline at 14-1.
Finally, congratulations to Lewis Hamilton after becoming the youngest Formula One world champion in history.
It’s fair to say that for once he had luck on his side in a thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix, and I hope you took my advice and backed him at 5-4 to be the BBC Sports Personality of the Year before the race got under way.
He is now 8-15 to win the coveted award and looks nailed on after his terrific achievements this year.
For those of you who think he can follow up and win the world title again next year, he is currently a top-priced 2-1 shot with me.
Fred Done
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