Turf Talk: Trainer Hughie Morrison brings a Buzz to Flat season curtain call

Buzz can end an incredible week for Hughie Morrison by bringing down the curtain on the Flat turf season with victory in the Marathonbet November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.
Buzz, ridden by Charlie Bennett at Newbury in September,won't mind a bit of cut in the ground at Doncaster. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA WireBuzz, ridden by Charlie Bennett at Newbury in September,won't mind a bit of cut in the ground at Doncaster. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire
Buzz, ridden by Charlie Bennett at Newbury in September,won't mind a bit of cut in the ground at Doncaster. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire

The East Ilsley handler endured the euphoria and then the agony of watching Marmelo finish second in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday but can at least have the satisfaction of ending the domestic campaign on a high.

Buzz heads to Town Moor on the back of a success at Newbury in September over a mile and a quarter on soft ground. He only got up in the very last stride that day and will be much more at home over a mile and a half, having won over this distance in July. Being by Motivator, Buzz will not mind any cut in the ground.

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Donjuan Triumphant can take advantage of a drop in grade to get his head in front for the first time in over a year in the Marathonbet Official Global Partner Of Manchester City Wentworth Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old ran a tremendous race to finish fourth in the Haydock Sprint Cup on heavy ground and put in another great effort when third to Sands Of Mali in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot last month. He drops in to Listed company after those two Group One contests and can be rewarded with a deserved success.

Maid To Remember has only a debut win to her name but can put that right by boosting her paddock value with victory in the Listed British EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes.

The William Haggas-trained four-year-old is both Listed and Group Three placed despite having only had seven career starts. That suggests further improvement is possible and she would not have to progress that much more to land this prize.

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Stream Song can hit the right note in the Chelmsford feature, the Bet Tote Trifecta At totesport.com Galleywood Handicap.

The John Gosden-trained filly shaped encouragingly when fourth at Lingfield last week in Listed company on her second race following a five-month break.

Bigbadjohn returned to form with an all-the-way win at Wincanton a fortnight ago and can bag the valuable Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase back at the Somerset venue.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’s nine-year-old had been a smart novice, winning the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot for Rebecca Curtis but subsequently lost his way.

Twiston-Davies appears to have reignited his mojo.

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Verdana Blue can follow up a recent success at Kempton with victory in the Unibet Elite Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s mare had reaped the benefit of a successful spin on the Flat at Chelmsford in late September with a convincing win over Old Guard back over jumps and can complete the hat-trick.

King’s Odyssey can get his campaign off to a good start by winning the Rewards4Racing Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Though he has not had his head in front since January 2016, Evan Williams’ charge has run some excellent races in defeat, notably when third to The Storyteller in the two-mile five-furlong handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

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Agrapart can make his class count in the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre Hurdle despite not having raced since February.

He may have been beaten at odds-on by Donna’s Diamond that day in the Rendlesham at Haydock, but that was over two miles and seven furlongs on heavy ground.

This shorter trip in less-testing conditions can see Nick Williams’ charge prevail.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

AINTREE: 12.25 One For The Team, 1.00 Molly The Dolly, 1.35 Vyta Du Roc, 2.10 Agrapart, 2.40 King’s Odyssey, 3.20 Theflyingportrait, 3.55 Jackson Hill.

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CHELMSFORD: 4.30 Swiss Chime, 5.00 Dubai Luxury, 5.30 Spanish Mission, 6.00 Stream Song (treble), 6.30 Suzi’s Conoisseur, 7.00 Queens Royale, 7.30 Squire.

DONCASTER: 11.45 Presidential, 12.20 Sussudio, 12.55 Edgewood, 1.30 Maid To Remember, 2.05 Donjuan Triumphant (next best), 2.45 Dragons Tail, 3.15 BUZZ (NAP), 3.50 Roulston Scar.

KELSO: 11.50 Aye Aye Charlie, 12.15 Fin And Game, 12.45 Jack Devine, 1.20 Some Reign, 1.55 Chain Of Beacons, 2.30 One Night In Milan, 3.05 Ryalex, 3.40 Glorious Lady.

WINCANTON: 12.40 Foxtrot Juliet, 1.15 Lillington, 1.50 Little Miss Poet, 2.25 Bags Groove, 3.00 Verdana Blue, 3.35 Bigbadjohn, 4.10 Southfield Stone.