Horse Racing Tips: Saturday 10th December

12:20 Doncaster – William Of Orange @ 9/2

Saturday’s first port of call is the second race at Doncaster where Donald McCain’s runner looks to have a big chance of building on his impressive 2nd place finish last time out.

The unexposed William Of Orange ran a cracking race at Wetherby last weekend and, if he’s capable of going again quickly, the five-year-old looks to hold strong claims in what looks a less demanding contest.

Having been a useful stayer on the flat, the gelding proved he was probably going to be more than useful over timber when winning a novice event comfortably back in January and after a mediocre return to hurdling in November, that 2nd place finish last time out suggested that there should be plenty more to come.

Under today’s rider, William Of Orange made smooth headway to come through the pack before keeping on all the way to the line. While he may have had no chance with the 135 rated winner, he finished clear of the remainder – a field that contained some decent horses, horses who’re arguably better than the majority of this field. With this in mind, another good performance looks on the cards.

Just one week’s rest in between races might not suit all horses, but this runner has previously run well on the flat after a short recovery time, so hopefully this isn’t a problem.

In a race that certainly doesn’t look the most demanding, William Of Orange looks set to go well and is well worth being on at 9/2.

13:30 Doncaster – Aristo Du Plessis @ 12/1 (each-way)

In the 13:30, top-weight Aristo Du Plessis for the J P Ewart stable is one who makes plenty of appeal at an eye-catching price.

The six-year-old has proven himself to be a handy performer at this level and, having already notched six wins over timber, looks as though he might just have been found a decent opportunity here.

Since winning in January it’s fair to say that he’s found life tough, but he’s contested some very warm races and now drops into a slightly easier event. Last time out he showed signs that he could be on his way back with a reasonable effort from the front in ground that was too heavy and over a trip that was probably too far. Against, weaker horses, over a lesser trip, it’s fancied that this front running type can fare much better.

We’re talking about a horse who has plenty of good form in the book, including wins in races that look stronger than this one.

It would appear as though this time around he gets his ground, while Dale Irving takes a handy 5lb off his back. At 12/1, Aristo Du Plessis is well worth the each-way money.

14:00 Newcastle – Mappin Time @ 20/1 (each-way)

For the third of today’s selections we put the National Hunt scene to one side and head to Newcastle’s all-weather track where, in the 2pm race, Tim Easterby’s Mappin Time looks as though he might be well in.

This eight-year-old is no stranger to the winners enclosure, in fact he found himself entering it the last time he was put up by myself as a viable bet back in the summer. Having won nine times in his career, Mappin Time is a horse who needs specific conditions, in the right sort of race – when he get’s it his own way, he very rarely fails to put in a good display.

After winning over today’s distance at Beverley in August off a mark that was simply far too low, he put in a couple of poor runs before being put away for a few months. Since reappearing, though, the gelding seems to be good shape and has run with plenty of credit in a couple of all-weather Class 3 events. Both of those runs came in races that appeared to be, on paper at least, more competitive than this and he sneaks in off a very low-weight.

He’s a runner who loves to go from the back before going for a run late-on – the classic hold up sprinter. Although he hasn’t exactly frequented the all-weather, his record on the surface (Class 3) of 8432522 – never beaten far- bodes fairly well, especially when we consider that a number of these runners probably aren’t truly good enough for this level.

Quite simply, given his previous achievements – won from higher marks and at a better level – 20/1 seems far too big and it would be no surprise if he builds on what have been promising runs so far this winter.

15:35 Cheltenham – Debdebdeb @ 11/1 (each-way)

The last race at Cheltenham is an interesting mares event and, in truth, a case could probably be made for a number of the field; however, Dan Skelton’s entrant really does appeal at the prices and could easily run a big race.

Having turned into a decent performer on the flat, the six-year-old made a seemingly effortless transfer to hurdling at the start of this calendar year when going in at the first time of asking. Since then she’s had just four races, showing plenty of promise.

The most eye-catching piece of form where this runner is concerned is her 2nd place finish over C&D back in April. In a race not too dissimilar to this one, Debdebdeb ran with plenty of credit to finish 2nd, keeping well clear of some decent types.

Her only run so far this campaign came in the Grade 3 Silver Trophy at Chepstow. Although she only finished in 7th place, she wasn’t beaten by miles and considering both the strength of that race and the fact it was her first run of the season, it was a fair effort. Fitness-wise you’d have to assume she’ll be better off for that run and it definitely gives her something solid to build on.

It would be surprising if there wasn’t more improvement to come from Debdebdeb and we may see it here. After all this is a course where she’s previously gone well. At odds of 11/1, Skelton’s mare is definitely worth an each-way punt.

See all of Saturday’s tips here.