Maire Banrigh is in the form of her life, so can defy top-weight to land the 2m novices’ limited handicap chase at Doncaster this Sunday (12:25).
Trained by Dan Skelton, this lightly-raced seven-year-old mare has won her last four starts.
Her two most recent outings have been over fences. She carried 12st 6lb around Stratford on chase debut when making all and mostly jumping well.
That came in novice handicap company and she was very impressive when scoring by 15 lengths. The assessor took the form literally and raised her rating by 15lb.
Maire Banrigh defied that when again making all and jumping soundly to hold Supreme runner-up Thomas Darby by a length at Warwick.
As she was only getting 2lb from a rival rated almost two stone (28lb) superior over hurdles, this was seriously good.
Why Maire Banrigh odds appeal
The handicapper has put her up a further 4lb for that fabulous effort. That leaves Maire Banrigh on a career high mark of 141 but, judged on her outings in this sphere to date, she could go in again.
Good to soft going at Doncaster for this novices’ limited handicap chase is no problem. Skelton has had festive winners at Chepstow and Wetherby this week too.
The daughter of King’s Theatre looks capable of giving 3lb to her main market rival Baddesley Knight.
This is becuase the overall form of Chris Gordon’s charge doesn’t match what Maire Banrigh did last time out.
A repeat of that Warwick run from her makes odds of 5/2 with William Hill well worth a wager.
With just six starts under Rules behind her, she’s also open to further progress. This John Hales owned mare thus appeals most for the hat-trick over fences.
Bet of the Day: 5/2 with William Hill, Maire Banrigh in the 2m novices’ limited handicap chase at Doncaster.
