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13:40 - bet365 Mallard Handicap
After seeing John Gosden bag a couple of winners here yesterday it’d be no surprise to see him add to his tally in the form of Alfaatik. The Jim Crowley ridden four year old returned to action with a win at York which has turned out to be very decent form. This race looks no better and with only an additional 3lbs to contend with he should come on for that run and looks the most likely victor.
ALFAATIK (WIN)
14:10 - bet365 Handicap
A sprint handicap that seems to be dominated by less experienced runners and although an obvious conclusion to come to it looks as if that’s where the winner should be coming from. The trio at the head of the market should be hard to topple with Ghalyoon, Musicality and Edgewood holding the strongest claims. Both Edgewood and Ghalyoon have form here at Doncaster which should stand them in good stead but equally Musicality is yet to finish outside of the top two. Unfortunately a lot of well fancied Roger Varian trained horses failed to deliver (despite bagging a winner) yesterday and perhaps Musicality is set for a minor role. As such I’m left with the aforementioned duo and it’s Ghalyoon who seems more likely to improve upon their latest start. A solid second on return is something he can definitely build upon and with a middle draw things point to a good performance.
GHALYOON (WIN)
14:40 - Bombadier Flying Childers Stakes
Second in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes on return from a two month lay off should give Sacred a great chance on the form book but this perhaps looks a tougher test and although she’s bound to come on for her York performance seems worth taking on.
The Lir Jet has gone very close at the highest level and shouldn’t be far away and you can’t readily ignore the two Irish raiders in the form of Steel Bull and Frenetic who shouldn’t be discounted either.
Never the less a chance is taken with the lightly raced Mohawk King. Trainer Richard Hannon has grabbed 13 winners in the past two weeks and as such has his yard going well of late. He was pretty close to the winner when fifth in what looks a very good race at York and he indicated that a drop to five furlongs should also be of benefit. With the addition of Frankie in the saddle he looks to have a great each way chance.
MOHAWK KING (E/W)
15:15 - bet365 Doncaster Cup Stakes
Perhaps it’s a case of the heart ruling the head but what a story it would be if Revolver managed to make it seven victories in a row and claim group race success! To make the step up from a four runner, class 4 handicap at Pontefract to such an illustrious race as this is leaps and bounds but in what looks a poor renewal it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. Trainer Sir Mark Prescott seems to have his horses firing lately and Luke Morris clearly gets on with the three year old having partnered him on all six of his wins to date.
Spanish Mission and Selino renew their rivalry from a Chester listed race but the tight round course at Chester is miles different from the test that Doncaster is set to throw their way and both are pretty inconsistent.
You have to respect any runner that David O’Meara sends to this festival so Eagles By Day can’t be readily discounted but is another that is far from a model of consistency.
The horse that I do fear most is the oldest horse in the field Red Verdon who’s chances are boosted with the addition of a certain Mr Dettori booked for the ride. A fellow course winner who should push Revolver close.
REVOLVER (WIN)
15:45 - bet365 Flying Scotsman Stakes
The Royal Blue silks of Godolphin have been some what quiet this week but they may see them held aloft in the winners enclosure thanks to One Ruler. A winner on his second start at Sandown which is a race that has worked out well with the third subsequently tasting success. This looks a more competitive race but deserves his spot as favourite and is the more obvious selection.
Of the rest both New Mandate and Laneqash shouldn’t be far away and look likely to give the favourite something to think about.
ONE RULER (WIN)
written by Rory Paddock