Flossy may top the November Handicap

Flossy will have to defy a burden of a least 9st 7lb if she is to become the first horse to win Saturday's November Handicap at Doncaster, the last big race of the Flat season, twice. With the top weight, Zilarator, and Thari both holding alternative engagements in the Serlby Stakes on the same card, the Chris Thornton-trained filly, as short as 11-4 favourite for the race, could be left with 9st 10lb.

Flossy will have to defy a burden of a least 9st 7lb if she is to become the first horse to win Saturday's November Handicap at Doncaster, the last big race of the Flat season, twice. With the top weight, Zilarator, and Thari both holding alternative engagements in the Serlby Stakes on the same card, the Chris Thornton-trained filly, as short as 11-4 favourite for the race, could be left with 9st 10lb.

Most prominent of her rivals to drop out at yesterday's acceptance stage was Romantic Affair, who had been 8-1 second favourite after winning at Newmarket last Friday, while the John Gosden-trained Dance Director and Bound For Pleasure are also absentees.

Leading fancies who stood their ground include Carlys Quest, runner-up in the race for the last two years and backed to 7-1 from 12-1 with Ladbrokes yesterday and Seren Hill, who beat Flossy by a short-head at Newmarket last time but is 10lb worse off with the favourite here. Another leading fancy, Dhaudeloup, has an alternative engagement at Cheltenham.

NOVEMBER HANDICAP (Doncaster, Saturday): Tote: 3-1 Flossy, 8-1 Carlys Quest, Seren Hill, 10-1 Dancing Bay, 11-1 Batswing, Captain Miller, Dhaudeloup, Zilarator, 16-1 others.