FAILED chaser Sir Ninja (3.30) is worthy of an each-way bet in the £40,000 Tote Scoop6 November Handicap, provided rain-affected Doncaster passes an 8am inspection.

The final high-profile mile-and-a-half handicap of the season is always ferociously competitive and this year is no exception. Upsets are equally commonplace, for instance 12 months ago it was the totally unconsidered 50-1 shot, Royal Cavalier, who carried the day.

Sir Ninja won't be far off that starting price with some firms, especially as he's been mainly confined to taking part in jumps' races over the last couple of years.

But that is not to say some of his previous Flat form doesn't come up to scratch, including most recently at Newbury on his latest outing, when he was beaten less than two lengths behind Demi Beau into third spot.

As a three-year-old Sir Ninja was high enough in the ratings to warrant a spin in Thirsk's 2,000 Guineas Classic Trial. Admittedly his career since has failed to live up to those heady aspirations, although his apparent need for soft ground, plus a fruitless spell in the National Hunt arena, have contributed to his fall from grace.

There will no excuses on either of those counts now because Sir Ninja has no obstacles to jump, nor will the ground be anything other than bottomless. The key question to be answered is whether or not he will have the necessary stamina to stay the 12-furlong distance?

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