HISTORY BECKONS BECKETT

RALPH Beckett holds a strong hand in the Virgin Bet November Handicap, as defending champion Lord Melbourne bids to become the first two-time winner of the end-of-season finale at Doncaster today.

- MELISSA JONES:

Limited to just the one appearance this year, when making a winning return at Epsom in September, a return to Town Moor was the obvious place for the five-year-old who could bring up an elongated hat-trick and is joined in the field by the lightly-raced Master Vintner.

Beckett said: “They are both in good shape and coming off wins and I was pleased with Lord Melbourne's comeback over a trip that was probably short of his best.

“He did it well and perhaps too well from a handicapping point of view (raised 9lb), but nevertheless it was a good effort over a trip short.

“It wasn't so much the plan with him (to go back to Doncaster) but he picked up an injury when he won this race last year which is why it took him so long to come back. It was the obvious race though once he had come back and won at Epsom”