DONCASTER is one of the fairest tracks in the country so why only five horses have been declared for the £20,000 Neville Crump Memorial Chase is a complete mystery, writes Colin Woods.

Sponsors Intercasino have every right to be disappointed, however let's hope the quintet make the race an exciting spectacle with my idea of the winner being Lou Du Moulin Mas (2.55), partnered by Liam Heard.

If you happen to be a talent spotter then take a long look at Heard, one of my tips for the top, an assertion emphatically underlined by the young Irishman's polished performance aboard Royal Auclair, yesterday's big-race scorer at Cheltenham.

Liam takes an invaluable 7lbs off the back of Lou Du Moulin Mas, who has suffered the heartache of finishing second on both of his two outings so far this term.

There'll probably be no hanging about with The Kew Tour possibly acting as the hare up front, tactics which might suit the selection, likely to play his cards late on in the day under a waiting ride from his promising jockey.

Ante-post players for next year's Cheltenham Festival should take note of Unshakeable (12.40) in the opening Introductory Novices' Hurdle.

A winner on the Flat in July at Glorious Goodwood, trainer Bob Jones said at the time that his dream would be to win the Champion Hurdle with his tank-like six-year-old gelding.

Admittedly Cheltenham is a long way off, but now is the moment to get interested while the odds are astronomical and more importantly, the bookies potentially off guard.

* Solerina makes a quick reappearance after her Grade One win last weekend when she contests the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan today.

The eight-year-old mare took the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse just five days ago.

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