TV TIPS (FRIDAY)

13:40 Doncaster

At the time of writing the current betting favourite is Godolphin’s Noble Truth who produced an impressive maiden success on his penultimate start however a 4th of 5 at York last time is enough to put me off.

The biggest threat to my selection is a runner who actually won at the aforementioned York where the Andrew Balding trained Hoo Ya Mal. Well fancied that day when a clear winner in the sixteen runner contest and a repeat performance would see him go very close once more.

That being said I’m taking a chance on RIBHI maintaining their unbeaten record. Marcus Tregoning’s charge produced a dominant display to win by close to 3 lengths. The form of that success has subsequently been franked with the 4th placed horse winning since. The colt will have to improve further but I think it’s safe to say that applies to most. If punters can get an each way price (5/1 or bigger) I think he’s a safe each way bet to nothing.

RIBHI (E/W)

14:10 Doncaster

ARMOR is one of two group winners in the line up and with a course and distance win to his name he ticks plenty of boxes. A fourth in the Prix Morny over in France is perhaps the best piece of form on offer and it’s hard to look elsewhere.

The other group race victor is the George Boughey trained filly Corazon who seems to be on an upward trajectory after wins at Lingfield and Longhcamp respectively. She looks a tad overpriced at her current odds and it’d be a shock if she didn’t find a place in the top three.

With just the eleven set to go to post I wouldn’t normally give two selections in a race with this amount of runners but I’m also taken by outsider UP ABOVE. The Irish raider got off the mark at the fourth time of asking and of course M D O’Callaghan’s charge needs to improve markedly for that performance however wouldn’t be sent over the water unless connections thought he had a decent chance. Not a likely victor but worth an each way play.

ARMOR (WIN)

UP ABOVE (E/W)

14:40 Doncaster

For me this might be the last time we ever see the great STRADIVARIUS and I hope and pray it’s a winning end to the superstars career. He failed to deliver at Ascot on his penultimate start when failing to retain his Ascot Gold Cup title but returned to winning ways at York most recently. There’s no doubt trainer John Gosden will be going all out to ensure he is given every chance for a victorious send off and it’s hard, both with the heart and the head, to look elsewhere than predict a famous Frankie flying dismount.

Fellow Group 1 winner Trueshan hit the pinnacle of his career when claiming the Goodwood Cup and looks to potentially be the heir to the favourite’s thrown. The Alan King runner was disappointing on the all-weather two starts back but his turf form looks impressive and seems to be the nearest rival to the favourite.

STRADIVARIUS (WIN)

15:15 Doncaster

I have to be completely honest when I say this race was an absolute nightmare to analyse. Looking through the various form lines and nothing really jumped out of me and as such I’m going for somewhat of a hit and hope with outsider SPEEDO BOY. Trainer Ian Williams has his yard flying of late and the last time we saw this runner enter the stalls at Doncaster it was this exact race back in 2018. He finished a solid 5th of 14 that day with much more weight on his back. Now back at Donny with 6lbs less weight to carry and is below his highest winning mark I’m happy to take a chance on a horse at double figure odds, especially as William Buick is booked for the ride.

I’m a massive fan of jockey Rossa Ryan and his ride Prince Alex holds obvious claims after winning a similar contest at Goodwood on debut for new trainer Michael Bell. The handicapper hasn’t crucified him for that win and shouldn’t be far away.

Uber Cool looks best of the rest and may grab a place if he can put his sole disappointing course start behind him.

SPEEDO BOY (E/W)

15:45 Doncaster

So far this week we’ve seen previous course victors come out on top and I’m hoping the lightly tried ASJAD can do the same. Roger Varian’s charge won here at Doncaster on his penultimate start back in July. He subsequently had a 50 day absence before disappointing when second in a three runner race at Ffos Las. I’m hoping the three year old will strip fitter for that effort and should return to winning ways now back in South Yorkshire.

At much bigger odds fellow course winner Zip could spring a shock and couldn’t be discounted all too readily considering he hails from the locally based yard of Richard Fahey. The only downside however is that the handicapper may have him in his grasps.

One outsider that does not hold a former victory here at Doncaster, despite trying on one previous occasion, is KIMIFIVE. The six year old has produced some solid performances in major handicaps throughout his career but has only won three times in a total of 44 starts. Nevertheless he finds himself below his last winning mark and should relish the ground. He wasn’t far back in 4th on his sole course start and with the trainer in decent form (25% strike rate) I’m hoping he can produce another bold bid in a decent handicap.

ASJAD (E/W) KIMIFIVE (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock