Keith Melrose gives his opinion on how the Sky Bet Chase will play out

3.15 Doncaster
Sky Bet Handicap Chase | Listed | 3m, 5yo+ | Live on ITV/Sky

The Sky Bet Handicap Chase is often regarded as the equivalent of a bit of winter sun: a haven for three-mile chasers who do not revel in the mud. Going by Friday's action at Doncaster, the course has done its bit for them and their connections.

Dingo Dollar is one such horse. He ran in both this race and the Grimthorpe, its close cousin in March, last season. After another pleasing run in the Ladbrokes Trophy he is back for more.

He goes well here and positive tactics are the percentage call in races like this, but he has had quite a few attempts off similar marks now and may not get much peace up front.

Burbank and Ravenhill Road are two likely challengers on the speed. Both won last time out in a lower grade, the former streaking away at Newbury and the latter getting a Danny Cook special from the front at Haydock. Few are as accurate as Cook when getting free rein in the lead, but as already discussed he will be lucky to be allowed as much here.

It is imagined that the double-figure odds available about OK Corral on Friday will not last until off time. He is a talented sort and was longtime ante-post favourite for the Ladbrokes Trophy off 151. He runs here off 146 after a couple of disappointing runs. Those have been over 3m2f and 2m4f. This trip, with the added bonus of a flat track, could be just right and he is respected with Derek O'Connor back aboard.

Ok Corral: the three-mile trip on a flat track could be perfect for himCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Another to look out for is Dingo Dollars' stablemate Good Man Pat. He failed for at least one of fitness and stamina over this trip on his reappearance, but that was at Ascot on soft ground. His positioning and jumping proved his undoing at Cheltenham last time back at 2m4f. An easy 3m might well strike the balance between emphasis on stamina and jumping. He has snuck down to a good mark, helped further by capable claimer Alexander Thorne's 7lb allowance.

Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Ok Corral and Burbank
It seemed a sensible thing to do [to bring Derek O'Connor over to ride] because Ok Corral knows him and the two of them got on extremely well at Warwick last year. I need to see the horse putting up that sort of performance again so it seemed sensible to have the same man again. That was his best performance last year by a long way. Burbank got a horrible hike in the handicap. There is no point in shouting and screaming about it because he isn’t going to get any sympathy from the handicapper. It was a massive hike and is he really that much better than at Newbury? Of course he wasn’t. He has a fierce task in front of him.

Alan King, trainer of Dingo Dollar, Azzerti and Good Man Pat
Dingo Dollar ran another sound race in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November considering the ground was softer than he likes. He's enjoyed a good break since with this race very much in mind. Doncaster suits him – he wants a flat, left-handed track and has a good record at the track. Azzerti is also best going left-handed. He was staying on well to finish fifth in his first try at three miles at Ascot last time, and the ground was bottomless there so these improved conditions will be more in his favour. Good Man Pat looked to be out of his comfort zone back down in trip in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in mid-December. He looked a little light after that run and has had a break since, so we're stepping him back up to three miles here, although he looked not to stay that trip when we tried him at Ascot in November.

Tom Messenger, assistant to Dan Skelton, trainer of Cobra De Mai and Solomon Grey
Cobra De Mai was back to form when he ran well at Kempton last time. He has lots of ability and has been a good servant to his owners and the yard. The race should be run to suit him and he has a big each-way chance. Solomon Grey picked up some prize-money and gained some experience last time and this is more realistic. He ran to a good level over hurdles and could run well if handling the big field and step up to three miles.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Chidswell
He seems in good fettle and had a nice run at Kelso last time. He's a winner round Doncaster so all being well he'll run a very good race.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Fingerontheswitch
He seems to have come out of Kempton really well and we're very happy with him. Millie [Wonnacott, jockey] gets a good tune out of him and fingers crossed he can be consistent once again.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips