Horse Racing: Doncaster Preview & Tips - Thursday

Day two of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and it’s a day for the fillies with the May Hill and Park Hill Stakes providing the Group action.

The card also features a competitive looking £200,000 sales race at 2.40 in the form of the Weatherbys Racing Bank 2-Y-O Stakes.

The terrestrial action starts with a 16-runner fillies’ nursery at 13:40, on ITV followed by four more top-class races, so here’s our man in the know with his ones to watch as well as his Nap of the day.

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

A tough-looking 2-year-old fillies handicap and whatever wins is likely to be well ahead of her current handicap rating.

Nazuna is likely favourite on the back of her success here last time in a maiden. The Roger Varian trained runner has to be respected once more but it can be argued others have achieved more to date.

The form of Sky Angel looks to have a solid feel to it most notably her second-place finish last time at Newmarket over 7f. She tried to make all that day before just being run out of things late on suggesting this drop in trip will suit.

At bigger odds, Tattoo makes some appeal, the Equiano filly needs to improve on again on her maiden win at Wolverhampton but the third has won a couple of races since and Jockey Georgia Dobie takes of what could be a valuable 5lbs.

Selection: Sky Angel

14.10
1m May Hill Stakes (Group 2)

Zabeel Queen looked potentially high class when winning on debut at Ascot and the Frankel filly is expected to take this step up to Group level in her stride.

She holds plenty of fancy entries down the line and is clearly held in the highest regard by connections.

The Gosden/Dettori partnership team up with Indigo Girl who has a similar profile to the selection. She has to be respected along with the more proven types of Ubuntu and Star Of Emaraaty

Selection: Zabeel Queen (NAP)

14.40
6 1/2F Weatherbys Racing Bank £200,000 2-Y-O Stakes (Class 2)

Uncle Jumbo did best of those drawn high in a similar race at York last time and is expected to go close once more.

That was only his second start that day so he should have learnt plenty from that large field experience and trainer Kevin Ryan has won the race on a couple of occasions in recent year.

Both Yazaman and Imperial Force bring solid group form to the race but both need to bounce back from below par efforts recently. Cairn Island showed a good attitude to win a competitive handicap at the Ebor festival and is the one feared most.

Selection: Uncle Jumbo (Each Way)

15.15
1m 6f Park Hill Stakes (Group 2)

The rapidly progressive 3-year-old Believe In Love arrives here in seek of a 5 timer but this group race is a much tougher ask and despite receiving a handy weight allowance has to step up once more.

Monica Sheriff ran respectably in the Ebor on her reappearance this season and has previously won a Group 3 level in France. Any rain is likely to be in her favour and she still could be progressive with that run under her belt.

The Joseph O Brien trained Pista has found the winners’ enclosure on her last 2 starts. The latest was at Listed level and this lightly raced type is an interesting runner.

Selection: Monica Sheriff (Next Best)

15.45
7f Handicap (Class 2)

The Roger Varian yard has won 2 of the last 3 renewals of this race which adds to the appeal of Jumaira Bay here.

He took advantage of a straight forward task when breaking his maiden tag at Chepstow recently but had previously ran well in handicaps and the cheekpieces today could bring out more improvement.

Haqeeqy ran a shocker on handicap debut at Newmarket and needs to be forgiven that effort but prior to that looked progressive when winning a couple of novice events.

He has been given plenty of time to recover from that below-par effort and looks to be a fair price if returning to his previous form.

Broughton’s Gold arrives here seeking the hattrick but it might not have been the strongest of races for the grade last time and could be vulnerable this time of a 4lb higher mark in this stronger event.

Selection: Haqeeqy