We launch a twin attack in the November Handicap at Doncaster

Alan has enjoyed another good Flat season, and, though Insanity and Paradias, who form our twin attack for the the November Handicap, are among the outsiders for the big finale, they are both in good form at home.

Rossa Ryan rides Insanity, whose three wins this season have seen his mark soar by 11lb. He produced a career-best performance w hen winning over this trip at Ascot’s Shergar Cup meeting in August, after which Alan pinpointed this race as his autumn target.

Insanity ran better than his finishing position suggests when down the field at York subsequently, and maybe he saw a bit too much daylight in the last furlong and a half. He is best when delivered late, and Rossa will be looking to bury him in the pack in the hope that he can produce him with one late thrust.

With Rossa opting for Insanity, James Doyle has been snapped up for Paradias, who was a bit unlucky not to finish in the frame at Doncaster last time, being short of room in the last 300 yards.

Alan said:”Like Insanity, Paradias enjoyed a good summer on the Flat. He won at Goodwood and finished second at Epsom, and he is on a very workable mark. Easy ground would not be a problem, but I would not want conditions at Town Moor to get any softer, and, looking further ahead, he could be interesting in handicap hurdles this winter if he gets his ideal ground.”

Loughville, who also runs at Doncaster, is another who has been in great form this season, and she will be looking for her fourth win in the Listed fillies race.

The official handicapper has put her up 21lb since she won at Bath in April, so it was understanding that Alan tried her in this grade back at Bath last month. Loughville ran well but found the opposition too hot to handle, and this looks an even tougher race.

We also send two runners up the M6 to Aintree. Harbour Lake runs in the Pertemps Hurdle qualifier, with the long-term hope that, should he stay over the smaller obstacles, he can be aimed at the final at Cheltenham in March.

Alan said:”Harbour Lake schooled well over fences this time last year, but he did not enjoy chasing. He ran three good races back over hurdles last spring, so he will stay hurdling for the time being.”

Our other Liverpool is Off The Jury, who makes his jumps debut in the novice hurdle. Alan added:”Off The Jury showed promise in bumpers last season, but he was inclined to over-race a bit, so we put a hood on him.

“But it had the reverse effect in that it switched Off The Jury off completely. He has been relaxing and jumping well at home, so we are looking forward to getting him started.”