Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday February 4

We fancy one of Mick Easterby's at Doncaster today

Today's three SmartPlays come from an intriguing Monday card at Doncaster.

We start with a good-quality maiden hurdle at 13:50. The race will be a first over hurdles for former November Handicap winner Zuider Zee on his first outing for new trainer John Ferguson, but in truth he's probably too short relative to the other smart Flat performer in the field, Cesarewitch winner Aaim To Prosper. Unlike Zuider Zee, Aaim To Prosper already has hurdling experience, finishing runner-up to Meganisi at the Hennessy meeting. That was over an extended two miles, while this is over three furlongs further, which will surely be of benefit to one that stayed so well on the Flat. Aaim To Prosper is admittedly favourite at the time of writing, but he deserves to be more firmly in that position than current prices convey.

We're foregoing the listed hurdle that will surely take most of the headlines, instead looking towards the following handicap hurdle over an extended three miles. It's a big-field affair, though with it being so low-grade several can be quickly weeded out. Arguably most interesting of all is Royal Deal, who has won five times in the pointing field but is yet to score under Rules. However, the chance are he is yet to show his full worth over hurdles, either unsuited by inadequate trips or undone by very testing ground (as on his last two starts). He has conditions much more in his favour here and finds himself at a level he really should prove above, so there appear to be no barriers to Royal Deal running a big race today.

Our third and final selection runs just 35 minutes later in an even lower-grade handicap chase. The majority of the 15-strong field are difficult to place faith in for varying reasons, which only makes things look easier for Pindar. A Barney Curley gamble when landing his only race over jumps so far in September, Pindar left the Curley yard for the burgeoning Neil Mulholland prior to his latest start. He shaped like the best horse at the weights that day at Plumpton, looking a big threat before clouting two out and ultimately finishing second to Upton Mead. That error is excusable given Pindar's relative inexperience and Plumpton's deceptively treacherous fences, while it doesn't take any great leap of imagination to see his new yard drawing more from him.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Doncaster

Back Aaim To Prosper @ 3.55/2 in the 13:50
Back Royal Deal @ 11.010/1 in the 15:30
Back Pindar @ 6.86/1 in the 16:05

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