Rajeem Could Reign For King At Doncaster

My Murphy ran a stinker in the Paddy Power for the blog on Sunday, pulled up having jumped poorly throughout. He is usually raced prominently in his races to get a clear sight of the fences so the writing was on the wall from a long way out unfortunately. I still believe he has a good race in him and he could be one to keep onside for the Irish Grand National in the Spring, especially if the handicapper relents and drops him a few pounds.

There is more action at Leopardstown for the final day of their Xmas festival and in the Grade 1 Novice Chase only four go to post, with three of them owned by Gigginstown. Rule The World, trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Davy Russell, should not be discounted here and looks a big price at 20/1 back up in trip. He has run some big races with little luck and is due a change of fortune.

However, the horse I really like the look of goes at Doncaster tomorrow and Master Rajeem looks to have a right shout off bottom weight in the concluding handicap chase at 3.25. This 6yo son of Street Cry is a former dual bumper winner who looked like he was returning to form last time after two poor runs since returning from his summer break.

He absolutely hosed up in a class 4 handicap chase at Sedgefield (26.5 soft) last January off a mark of 113 and he subsequently ran a couple of very decent races off his revised mark in class 3 company, including an 8l 2nd to Sir Mangan off 125 when conceding 8lb (Sir Mangan went on to win off 124 later in the year).

He ran a couple of shockers at Sedgefield (19.5f good to soft) and at Lingfield (23.5 heavy) in November, but every cloud has a silver lining and the handicapper relented and dropped him 8lbs, back down to 115. He showed definite signs of life last time here over 26f on good to soft, proving he handles the track and running a nice race in 3rd beaten 14l.

The handicapper has dropped him another pound to 114, just a pound higher than the mark he won so impressively off at Sedgefield. Neil King has 2 horses in the race and stable jockey Trevor Whelan has opted to ride his other one, Keltic Rhythm. Richie McLernon has been booked for Master Rajeem, and he was placed on his only other ride for King. Whelan didn't ride when Master Rajeem won at Sedgefield either so I am not overly concerned about the jockey booking. The ground is ideal, he gets the trip, handles the track and he is starting to look well treated again. At 20/1 Master Rajeem looks well worth supporting each way in an open looking race.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.25 DONCASTER-MASTER RAJEEM E/W 20/1