SOMEHOW the foul recent weather seems to have evaded South Yorkshire, so it’s with some surprise that “good” is in the going description today at Doncaster. The result is a deluge of runners, more than 100 to be precise, and the racing is refreshingly competitive and a welcome antidote to the perennial debate over small fields.

BIG CHIEF BENNY (3.40) has bumped into a couple of hotpots in his two runs over hurdles and the better ground should see him to good effect. As long as there is nothing of the calibre of Charmix and Buveur D’air lurking in the line-up, he should go very close.

THOMAS BROWN (3.05) has been crying out for 3m and should regain the winning thread while the 5-1 about CYRIEN STAR (2.00) looks tempting.

George Moore (above) saddles his last-ever runner in WOLF SHIELD (2.30) and he has had a recent wind op but NIGHT IN MILAN could be a tough nut to crack at his favourite track. Allbarnone is also worth an each-way look.

At Huntingdon DALIANCE (3.50) is in good form and has Andrew Thornton doing the steering while BAGS GROOVE (4.50) ran a lovely race at Ascot and will be very hard to beat in the bumper if producing a repeat run.

Be lucky!