Will First Light give the Gosdens another November Handicap as Flat season ends?

Saturday: 2.40 Doncaster
Virgin Bet November Handicap | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Traditionally this race signals a rather soggy big-race end to the British Flat turf season, and an ability to handle deep ground is usually a prerequisite.

John Gosden has an outstanding record in a 1m4f handicap which dates all the way back to 1876, winning it six times, most recently with Royal Line in 2018.

He fields another rock-solid contender this year in lightly raced three-year-old First Light, who has landed two of his five starts this year, including a Ripon maiden by 12 lengths on soft ground.

The son of Dubawi won an Ascot handicap in July off 4lb lower than his current mark of 94, and smacks of a horse who has been prepared with this £70,000 prize firmly in mind.

Three-year-olds have an excellent record overall since 1982 with 18 successes, but only one has triumphed since 2008.

Calling The Wind, versatile in terms of trip and ground, drops from 2m2f after running a blinder to finish third in the Cesarewitch. He’s 3lb higher in the weights, but rates a major player nonetheless along with Nuits St Georges, East Asia and Farhan.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Richard Hughes, trainer of Calling The Wind
He's not drawn the best [stall 21] but he came out of his last run in the Cesarewitch so well that we thought we’d go again on ground he loves.

Peter Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Deja
He's had his issues but worked nicely in blinkers the other day so we are giving them a try. He's well drawn in stall five as he needs horses around him to show his best. He'll run a good race.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Rhythmic Intent
He's very well in himself and he should be suited this big field as I don't think taking on just a handful of runners suited him last time. He's a good draw [stall seven] and will like the ground.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Mr Curiosity
He performed much better last time out when winning at Redcar and although he is back in trip we expect this galloping track to play to his strengths. He has a decent draw [stall six] and we expect him to stay considerably further than this in time and he could be a candidate for the marathon races on the all-weather.

Calling The Wind (leading): drops in tripCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Terry Kent, trainer of Graphite
He didn't really handle the track at Goodwood last time and he should be better suited to Doncaster where we are confident of a good run. He'll enjoy the ground and is well drawn in 11 so has plenty of positives.

David Menuisier, trainer of Nuits St George and Flyin' Solo
Nuits St George ran well in the race last year although the ground was much softer and we expect him to run a nice race although his outside draw [stall 23] is not helpful. Flyin' Solo picked up a little injury last time and we gave him a break during which time he was gelded. His work has been good and he’s at the right end of the handicap.

Nick Bell, assistant to Michael Bell, trainer of Prince Alex
He didn't get the trip in the Cesarewitch last time and this drop back to a mile and a half should suit him better. He'll love the soft ground and hopefully he can overcome his wide draw [stall 18] to keep his owners on a roll.

Henry Ponsonby, owner of HMS President
We won the race last year with On To Victory and we think our latest candidate goes there with a good each-way shout. He likes the track and won’t have any problem with the trip having finished second in the Mallard Handicap. He'll like the ground but could have done with a lower draw ideally.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of First Light
The trip of a mile and six stretched his stamina at Ascot last time and we feel this drop in trip on ground that should suit will see him in a better light. It's a competitive race but he's well drawn [stall 12] and there's no reason why he can't be in the mix.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Whitehaven
Ideally he would prefer heavy ground as he handles it better than most and also it slows the others down. He's drawn in stall one which is better than being in stall 21 so hopefully he can take advantage and finish in the mix as he usually does.
Reporting by David Milnes

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