APOLOGIES for the lack of recent daily dabbling. I’m toying with a trip to Doncaster today where there is a typically tricky backend card on the first day of their two-day October meeting. It is also the first day of Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting where some heavyweight equine artillery will be ready to fire. Two horses instantly catch the eye at Donny…

MARAAKIB (4.55) will have the assistance of top amateur Simon Walker and can follow up his win at Leicester last week. David O’Meara has taken a while to weave his magic with this former Brian Meehan charge but he should be up to defying a penalty. He does like to get his toe in. Walker has a great chance of notching a double with GONE VIRAL (5.30) in the finale.

Maraakib will be fairly short in price, as will DOLPHIN VISTA (1.30) who finally got his act together with an easy win in a competitive maiden at York on soft ground. Ebtihaal is a formidable opponent but his presence should ensure Dolphin Vista goes off at a backable price.

ZEST (2.00) should fulfil the promise of his excellent Haydock debut by winning his maiden although it is difficult to know what sort of talent is lurking in these big field backenders.

Canyari and Aetna should go well in the big sprint handicap (3.10), which offers more value for punters. It often pays to side with fresh horses at this time of year and JOEY’S DESTINY, who ran a solid race at Goodwood, should be cherry ripe after just two runs this season.

Be lucky!