Horse Racing: Doncaster Preview & Tips - Friday

Day 3 of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and it’s a real mix of speed and stamina.

The Group action on the card comes in the form of The Flying Childers Stakes over 5f followed by the Doncaster Cup over 2m 2f.

Here’s our top tipster to guide you through the televised races which begin at 13:40

13:40
1m 6 1/2F Handicap (Class 2)

Alfaatik was a good winner on handicap debut at the York Ebor meeting and is expected to continue his progression once more. The John Gosden runner is stepped up another 2 furlongs today but that should be no problem based on what we witnessed last time.

Regular partner Jim Crowley is in the saddle once more and has an impressive 44% when teaming up with the Gosden team in the last year.

Volcanic Sky ran well enough over 2 miles at York but could be vulnerable now to anything progressive. While similar comments apply to last season’s winner Sleeping Lion who is 3lbs higher this time around.

Selection: Alfaatik (Nap)

14.10
6 1/2f Handicap (Class 2)

The lightly raced Ghalyoon is sure to be popular after posting a good 2^nd place finish on his return this season here at Doncaster. The drop to 6f should be fine for this strong traveller and looks set to go close.

The selection however is Sunset Breeze who is fancied to continue the impressive progression we have seen this season. The Sir Mark Prescott runner won 3 on the bounce this summer and recently returned to action with another solid effort at Ascot over 7f.

The impression is this 6f is more to his liking and should go well off the same mark today despite this being a stronger event. Musicality is another progressive 3-year-old who has to be respected for the in-form Roger Varian yard in what looks an open looking event.

Selection: Sunset Breeze

14.40
5f Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2)

Sacred receives a handy fillies’ allowance and comes out clear on the ratings here. That`s backed up by her second placed efforts at both Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary and at York recently in the Lowther Stakes.

The way she travels in her races suggests this drop back to the minimum trip is more in her favour and the William Haggas trained runner should prove hard to beat.

Despite winning the Norfolk at Royal Ascot over this trip The Lir Jet gave the impression last time out when running a close second in the Phoenix stakes that he could now be better suited to a longer trip.

Steel Bull was another to run in that race last time but had a mishap in the stalls and can be forgiven that effort and could have more to offer still based on his success at Goodwood. Frenetic is another Irish raider but this is tougher than the listed race she won last at the Curragh.

Selection: Sacred (Next Best)

15.15
2m 2f Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2)

It will be a tough ask for the penalised Red Verdon to give weight all round here but on the plus side he clearly likes it here at Doncaster with 2 wins from 4 starts to his name including a success at listed level last time.

Revolver has found the winners enclosure on his last 6 starts and the manner of this victory last time once more suggested the best is still yet to come.

This typical Sir Mark Prescott improver will need to take another step forward at this level but the yard has won this with a similar type before and being a 3-year-old receives handy weight allowance.

Selino looks held by Spanish Moon on their efforts last time out at Chester and the Andrew Balding looks runner looks the main danger to the selection.

Selection: Revolver

15.45
7f Flying Scotsman Stakes (Listed)

The Charlie Appleby runner One Ruler showed significant improvement from his debut run to win at Sandown on his second start. The Dubawi colt looks a nice prospect and looks set to go close for an outfit who do well with their 2-year olds here.

Spycatcher ran well to finish 2^nd in a Group 3 at York and that looks to be the best bit of current form we have scene. The Karl Burke trained runner is drawn in 10 though which id a slight concern.

A winner on debut Apollo One proved that success was no fluke when finishing third last time in a Group 3 at Sandown. A reproduction of that effort should but this Equiano colt in the mix and Tom Marquand looks a positive jockey booking.

Laneqash was a ready winner on debut and is another who would has to be considered in an open looking race.

Selection: Apollo One (Each Way)