Hi all,
Straight into today’s Doncaster preview.
Doncaster St Leger Festival – Day 2
1:15 – Coopers Marquees EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (Class 2) -7f
Circe shaped with promise when a 3 length 3rd of 9 on racecourse debut at Sandown 13 days ago and has the best of form of those to have run.
Of the newcomers the most interesting are Morning Light and Lasting Love who are both in the same ownership.
Morning Light is a daughter of No Nay Never and trainer Ralph Beckett has booked Ryan Moore for the ride. Beckett is 8 winners from 32 runners +12.33 with his juveniles at Doncaster in the past 5 years.
Lasting Love, trained by Andrew Balding, might handle the ground better than Morning Light as she’s a daughter of Lope De Vega.
Add in the likes of Stifling and Shakeela both from powerful yards and this race could easily go to a newcomer.
Verdict: It’s not a race I will be getting involved in but if Circe handles the ground can put her experience to good use.
1:50 – Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes (Listed Race) – 7f
Just one of the ten runners is not a last time out winner so this could prove a decent renewal.
War Rooms looked a useful prospect when winning a soft ground novice over C&D in July. Proven with ease in the ground, if he takes another step forward, he won’t be far away.
Kingdom Of Riches built on the promise of his Ascot racecourse debut when making all to win Leicester novice (good to firm) last month. Another nice prospect if as good on softer ground.
Dancing Gemini has improved with each of his three starts. He still looked a bit green when winning a Newbury maiden 27 days ago and is capable of better. It was good to soft at Newbury and give he hails from a less fashionable yard looks overpriced to me.
Roger Varian saddled the 2019 winner of this corresponding race and has a live contender in Warm Spell. The son of Mehmas who cost 260,000 gns yearling improved on a promising Goodwood racecourse debut when landing Newbury novice 56 days ago. He stayed the 7f well at Newbury and is open further progression.
Verdict: The booking of Tom Marquand for Warm Spell takes the eye although an easier surface is an unknown. No ground concerns for once raced winner War Rooms who should go well. Dancing Gemini won’t be far away and if he was from a bigger yard would probably be shorter odds.
2:25 – Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2) – 5f
The field size has held up well with 12 declared to run and it looks the most interesting race on today’s card. The race also has the extra spice of Amo Racing v Kevin Stott.
Big Evs looked good when winning the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot on just his second start and improved again to win the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. He found the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes to hot at York last time but can bounce back against his fellow juveniles.
Inquisitively finished third to Big Evs at Royal Ascot and improved again on first yard for a new yard when landing the Listed Roses Stakes at York last month. A speedy sort, it was good to firm at York so softer ground is an unknown. On a sound surface I would really like his chances.
Flora Of Bermuda improved for meeting soft ground when getting off the mark at Goodwood two starts back but finished last of 8 when stepped up to 6f in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York last time. Needs a combination of easy ground and the drop to 5f to see her bounce back.
Kylian won a Sandown Listed race in July before finishing a 1 ½ length 3rd of 8 to Big Evs in the Molecomb Stakes. A disappointing 9/4 favourite for the Gimcrack Stakes at York last time but might have found his Goodwood effort had taken more out of him that had been expected. Definite claims back at the minimum trip if the forecast strong pace materialises.
Amo racing who have been in the headlines over the sacking of retained jockey Kevin Stott run Valiant Force. The Irish challenger caused a 150/1 shock when winning the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He struggled in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville last time and may have found the ground to soft for his liking that day.
Fellow Irish challenger Francis Meynell is the most intriguing runner in the line-up. The son of Blue Point a 125,000gns breeze-up purchase knew his job and showed plenty of speed when making a winning racecourse debut at Navan 15 days ago. Open to plenty of improvement and trainer has intriguingly booked Kevin Stott for the ride.
Verdict: Inquisitively would be the pick on drier ground. Big Evs should better back against his own age group and has a big chance. Softer ground will suit Flora Of Bermuda. Francis Meynell lacks experience but is open to plenty of improvement on just his second career start.
3:00 – Betfred Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2) – 2m 2f
Recent Lonsdale Cup winner Coltrane bids for back to back successes in the Doncaster Cup. Last year he beat Trueshan by a neck and the runner-up re-opposes once more. Trueshan seemed on the downgrade on his two starts in the spring, but he’s had wind surgery since and if that procedure has had the desired effect, he would be tough to beat on ground that suits. Sweet William improved for the fitting of blinkers, completing a hat trick when landing a valuable Goodwood handicap last month. Runner-up in the Ebor Handicap last time the 4-year-old has 14lb find with Coltrane & Trueshan on Official Ratings but could prove to be Group level stayer in time.
Verdict: Trueshan gets a handy 3lb from Coltrane and gets his ground but you’re taking a big chance the wind surgery has worked the oracle because he looked to be regressing when last seen in action in the spring. Whilst I wouldn’t be surprised if Sweet William proved up to this level his 4/1 odds are skinny.
3:35 – Betfred Mallard Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6 ½ f
A disappointing turnout out of just eight for this valuable handicap.
The Goat relished testing ground when winning at Goodwood two starts back but didn’t look the same horse on quick ground in the Melrose Handicap at York last time. Better expected on easier ground and the 3-year-old could still be on a competitive mark.
Real Dream looked a progressive staying handicapper when winning at Ascot (1m 6f) two starts back. However, he disappointed in the Ebor Last time when doing too much early on from his wide draw. Back in a small field can hopefully see the 4-year-old in a better light.
Bague D’Or shaped with plenty of promise on his return from a 13 month absence when a 1 ½ length 2nd of 14 to Marhaba The Champ at York (1m 4f) last month. The return to 1m 6f looks a plus as his form figures at that distance are 112. This might well have been the plan but soft ground is a slight concern.
Quantum Leap is the least exposed runner in the line-up with the 4-year-old having had just four career starts. A winner on handicap debut, despite losing many lengths at the start, at Haydock (good to soft) in July. Not for the first time a poor start compromised his chance at Nottingham (2m) last time. Could be a tricky customer but can’t be discounted given his lightly raced profile.
Rhythmic Intent’s last win came in this corresponding race two years ago. He’s not as good as he once was but he’s been running well this season from his reduced handicap mark. Didn’t stay 2m at Goodwood last time, this is more his distance, and he can’t safely be ruled out.
Verdict: Quantum Leap might have his quirks, but he’s lightly raced and hails from a yard I like. Real Dream and The Goat are better than they were able to show at York. Bague D’Or is the one I like most albeit soft ground is a slight concern.
4:10 – British EBF Ruby Anniversary Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f
Another disappointing line-up with just six declared for a race with £50,000 in guaranteed prize money.
Two of the six runners are trained by Ralph Beckett – Cherry & Mistressofillusion.
Cherry finished runner-up to subsequent York Listed winner Sea Theme over C&D (soft) two starts back and went one place better in a maiden fillies’ race at Goodwood 19 days ago. She handles soft ground well and will make a bold bid to make a winning handicap debut.
Mistressofillusion seemed to improve for the step up to 1m 4f when winning a Kempton novice two starts back. Didn’t improve for the step to 1m 6f when 3rd of 11 at Newmarket last month but the drop to today’s trip and the application of the first time cheekpieces make of her interest.
William Haggas saddled the winner of this race in 2017 & 2021so his runner Queen Emma has to be respected. The daughter of Saxon Warrior got off the mark at the fourth attempt when winning a Lingfield novice and followed up on handicap debut at Goodwood three weeks ago. Up 6lb and in a better race here but is going the right way.
Verdict: I think the Ralph Beckett pair are the ones to concentrate on and Cherry is preferred given she’s proven on rain softened ground.
4:45 – Doncaster Groundworks Reinforcements Handicap (Class 2) – 6 ½ f
Baradar, a winner her over 7f (heavy) last November, returned to winning ways in the first time cheekpieces in the valuable International Stakes (Handicap) at Ascot last time. Up 4lb and dropping ½ f in distance but if the ground is soft should go close again.
The Green Man is a dual course winner with the latest of those success coming in May. He’s since gone onto win a 15 runner handicap at York. The 4-year-old hasn’t been disgraced on three subsequent starts and he’s one to seriously consider if the ground has started to dry out.
Persuasion ended a long losing runwhen winning at Thirsk two starts back and showed he remains in good form when head 2nd of 10 at Haydock 7 days ago. Nudged up 1lb but comes into the race in great heart and expected to be bang there with Ryan Moore booked.
Rhythm Master was six lengths 10th behind Baradar in the International Stakes at Ascot last time. Yet to hit form in a light campaign but he’s well suited to ease in the ground and the yard is 2-8 in the past 14 days. Capable of going close off his present mark if back to close to his best. Trainer James Horton won this race with Asjad last year.
Verdict: I think we could see Rhythm Master return to form here. The Green Man is also high on my shortlist but may be better on a sounder surface.
5:20 – Hippo Clean Edge Masking Tape Confined Nursery Handicap (Class 4) – 6f
A handicap confined to horses with no more than one win.
Succession put in a much improved performance on nursery debut when length 2nd of 11 at Wolverhampton 8 days ago. Shaped last time like there was more to come and if he can reproduce his form back on grass will take the beating.
Blue Prince looked in need of more of a stamina test when a 6 length 6th of 16 in a valuable nursery at York last month. Drops a couple of notches in class here and should go close if handling an easier surface.
Red Zone Hero won an Ayr maiden on soft ground in July before finishing 5 ½ length behind Blue Prince in that York nursery last time. A return to easier ground should be in his favour and I can see him running much better here with Ryan Moore booked.
Kingswood Flyer got off the mark at the fourth attempt when landing a Newbury nursey 28 days ago. There was plenty to like about the way he battled to prevail last time that will hold him in good stead here. Up 4lb and in a deeper race but remains on a winnable mark.
Boardroom won a Thirsk maiden (soft) on her second start last month. Always behind when last of ten in the Listed Roses Stakes at York last time. The filly is back in calmer waters today and she remains capable of better back on an easier surface and stepped up to 6f for the first time.
Verdict: Boardroom will appreciate dropping back in class and handles soft ground and Red Zone Hero will appreciate the return to an easy surface and is surely better than he was able to show at York. Succession improved at Wolverhampton last time and is another who should be fine on the ground.
Betting Advice:
Doncaster
1:50 – Dancing Gemini – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Coral
2:25 – Francis Meynell – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Coral
3:35 – Quantum Leap – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Coral
4:45 – Rhythm Master – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Coral
Cheers
John