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1.50 Newbury – Worthington´s Whizz Kidz Stakes (Group 3)
John Gosden has enjoyed a fine season and went through the £5 million barrier in prize-money last weekend but there is still time for a few more high profile successes and he saddles Crazy Horse here. He is a half-brother to the smart Richard Pankhurst and despite being relatively unfancied on debut he stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to make a winning debut at Newmarket last month. The form has started to work out quite well with the sixth having won since and it is interesting that he has been sent here as connections suggested that he would have only one run this season. He has clearly benefitted from his first run and if he can handle the softer underfoot conditions he could go very close.
Godolphin won this race three years ago with Tawhid and they are represented by Start Time this year who may have taken three runs to get off the mark but looked a gelding firmly on the up when winning at Windsor last time. He won as he liked off a mark of 82 on soft ground and there is every reason to think that he will show up well here. He has more experience than most of his rivals and I was really impressed with the way that he won last time. There is a slight concern about him dropping back from an extended mile to seven furlongs but he won over seven at Thirsk so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
The one with the best form in the race to date however is probably Clive Cox’s ZONDERLAND who won by five lengths on his debut at Kempton at the beginning of September. He stepped into Group 3 company soon after in the Tattersall Stakes and despite being green leaving the stalls he showed up really well to be beaten one and a half lengths in fourth. The winner has since come out and run well in the Dewhurst behind Air Force Blue and you would have to think that he will have benefitted for that experience. He is highly thought of by his connections and as long as it isn’t too soft I think he will be seen to good effect. He looks an exciting prospect for the Clive Cox team and I think he is the one to beat.
I should also mention William Muir’s Royal Reserve who won at Salisbury last time, getting off the mark at the second attempt. The runner-up Mootaharer won well at Newmarket on Wednesday and there was talk of this horse possibly running in the Racing Post Trophy after his last run. He is clearly highly thought of and should run well but looks to have a bit to find with our selection.
Advice
ZONDERLAND – 1pt win @ 2/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power)
2.00 Doncaster – Scott Dobson Memorial Doncaster Stakes (Listed Race)
The action at Doncaster on Saturday gets underway with this Listed contest over six furlongs which has been won by Code Red and Night Of Thunder in the last two seasons. There are quite a few unexposed runners in this year’s field but I think there is a standout in the shape of Marco Botti’s DHAHMAAN. A winner of his first two starts, he beat subsequent Gimcrack winner Ajaya on his debut at Nottingham in May. He lost his unbeaten record last time at York but ran a fine race to finish second behind Richard Fahey’s Donjuan Triumphant who has since landed a Group 2 in France. There doesn’t look to be a rival of that quality in this line-up and any cut in the ground wouldn’t inconvenience him. Marco Botti has booked Frankie Dettori to take the ride and I think he is the one to beat here.
In terms of dangers, Sylvester Kirk’s Dream Destination has already run well in Group 3 company having chased home Rouleau at Kempton in September. He was far from disgraced at Ayr next time although he probably found the five furlongs a little sharp for him on the day. The return to six furlongs should see him to better effect and on official ratings at least, he looks the main danger to the selection.
I should also mention Karl Burke’s Explosive Power who is a full-brother to the yard’s smart performer Explosive Lady. He has got better with racing and finally got off the mark at the third attempt when winning at Redcar last time. The ground was on the soft side that day so he should be able to cope with these conditions and he looks to be progressing well. His connections believe he will make a better three-year-old and he could just improve past a couple of his rivals here.
Advice
DHAHMAAN – 2pts win @ 4/6 (Ladbrokes)
2.25 Newbury – Worthington´s Victoria Club Stakes (Group 3)
This Group 3 probably lacks a little bit of quality but you can make a case for Forgotten Hero who was drawn in the wrong place in the Cambridgeshire last time. It is also probably fair to say that he is better over further than nine furlongs so the return to 1m4f should see him in a better light on Saturday. Prior to that he chased home Blue Waltz in a handicap at Doncaster and although this will be his first try and Group company since he was a three-year-old, he should handle conditions well and looks a player for the frame in a weak event.
One who I imagine will be popular in the betting is Luca Cumani’s Koora who was well fancied to run well in the Park Hill at Doncaster last time but just didn’t seem to stay the extended one mile and six furlongs. Before that she ran John Gosden’s Martlet close in Listed company at York and the drop back to 1m4f should be more suitable for her. This is only the fifth start of her career so there should be more to come from her and she looks the one likely to go off favourite.
However I am going to take a chance on James Fanshawe’s MODERAH who was really impressive when getting off the mark at Leicester last time. That was her first try at 1m4f and she saw it out well, stretching clear in the closing stages to win by five lengths. This is clearly a big step up but her trainer is adept at placing his horses well and we have already seen horses with similar profiles such as The Tin Man and Star Storm successfully step up in class this term. She clearly has plenty to find with Luca Cumani’s filly but she should handle the ground and could offer a bit of value in the race.
Advice
MODERAH – 1pt e/w @ 7/1 (Paddy Power)
2.35 Doncaster – Betdaq.Com 2% Commission Handicap
The inclusion of Steps in this field sees Roger Varian’s seven-year-old carry top weight although he showed in the Portland here that weight couldn’t necessarily stop him. He also followed up in a Group 3 the following week before running well to finish eighth in the Prix de l’Abbaye behind Goldream last time. Louis Steward rode Steps on St Leger day and is replaced with 7lb claimer Cameron Noble for this run which means he is effectively racing off just 1lb higher than he did for that run. On that basis you would have to put him right in the mix and there is no doubt that whilst he can be a little awkward that he has plenty of ability. He sets a very high standard but conceding weight all around is not easy and it might be worth looking elsewhere.
For the last two years it has been Andrew Balding’s Dungannon who has found his way into the Winner’s Enclosure in this race. In terms of his mark he races off 4lb lower than this time last year and he also has the additional assistance of Rob Hornby’s 5lb claim. However he came in here on the back of a win at Ascot last year and has not shown the same sort of form this time around. He clearly loves it here and it would be no surprise to see him go close although he will need to bounce right back to form to get his head in front.
One horse who may need things to fall his way in order to get his head in front is El Viento who since winning at Sandown in August, has finished second on his last three starts. He tends to finish his races off strongly but the last couple of times he has just been unable to pick up those racing on the speed. He continues to creep up the handicap without winning but as we have seen this year it is hard to ignore Richard Fahey runners in handicaps especially. He does need a bit of luck like Steps but is clearly in fine form with himself at present and having snuck in at the foot of the weights, he could go very well.
However, I am going to side with Mick Appleby’s DEMORA who got back to winning ways at Leicester a couple of weeks ago. She had failed to show much form prior to that but her trainer gave her a break and felt that the slower ground played into her favour last time. She is pretty smart on her day and it is interesting that connections have booked Frankie Dettori who rode Danzeno for them at Champions Day last weekend. She ran a fine race in this race last year from a poor draw and races here off a 3lb lower mark. She seems to be coming into form at the right time of year and I fancy her to run a big race again here.
Advice
DEMORA – 1pt e/w @ 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
3.10 Doncaster – Bet Through The Racing Post App Handicap
In what are likely to be testing conditions on Saturday at Doncaster it will be important for horses to handle them and one horse who should have no problem doing so is Storm Force Ten. Andrew Balding’s four-year-old had a good time over hurdles last winter and showed he could still mix it on the flat by winning at Chester in May. He relished the soft ground that day and powered clear to score by two and a half lengths. He was eased down in the closing stages and you would have to think that his connections are looking towards something like the November Handicap before going back over hurdles. His mark of 89 does not put him out of it and having already won on soft ground, he looks likely to give a bold show.
Micky Hammond’s Onlyorsenfoolsies is another who is no stranger to soft ground and made all to win off a mark of 84 in May. Having stepped up in class after that he has struggled but his mark continues to fall and he is only 3lb higher than his last winning mark here. I think that there are horses with more improvement in them in the field but he may be one of the few to handle the conditions and as a result could run better than his odds suggest.
Having said that, the Classic generation have dominated this race in recent seasons having been responsible for seven of the last ten winners and they have one representative this time around in the shape of ARGUS. He won his first two starts of this season at Ripon and Windsor in June and was well backed to run well at Newmarket on his return to action but seemed to get tired in the closing stages. He had been off the track for a while so it is possible that he might just have needed the run or that he failed to handle the undulating nature of the Rowley Mile. I wouldn’t be too quick to write him off and the 1m4f trip has always seemed to be well within his stamina range. He has only had four races in his career to date so there should be further improvement to come and as long as the ground is not bottomless I think he could just have too much for his rivals here.
Advice
ARGUS – 1pt win @ 5/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
3.35 Newbury – Al Basti Equiworld Celebration Stakes (Listed Race)
I’m pretty sure that if there was a prize for the largest winning margin in a two-year-old race then Light Music wouldn’t be far from the top of that list following her fourteen lengths demolition of her rivals at Leicester last time. She was sent off favourite on her debut in September but could only finish second behind Nathra who has since finished second in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket. She is clearly a filly with plenty of ability and having had cut in the ground on both her starts to date, the conditions at the weekend are unlikely to pose her any problems. She takes on a couple of rivals who already have Group form to their name but she has already shown enough to suggest she can make her presence felt in this company. She is clearly on the upgrade and looks the best of the Queen’s two runners in this race.
Qatar Racing also have two runners at their disposal in the line-up in the shape of Flying Empress and Fourth Way, with slight preference for the first of those. She was fitted with blinkers when winning at Salisbury earlier in the season and wore them next time when she finished fourth in the Rockfel having gone off hard in front. The blinkers are swapped for a visor here possibly in the hope that she will not be as lit up in those and Oisin Murphy has picked her ahead of Roger Varian’s filly. A reproduction of her run in Group 2 company last time is likely to see her go close although ground with cut in it is something that she has yet to encounter.
With that in mind I am going to side with ALAMODE who has been a good servant to the this term, winning at Goodwood and running well at Newmarket last time. She was denied a clear run at a crucial time that day and was finishing fast to get second behind the impressive First Victory. The ground will be fine for her and this drop into Listed company looks likely to be a good opportunity for her to get her head back in front. Graham Lee has kept the ride on her having partnered her at Newmarket last time and given her form to date, I think she is the one to beat.
Advice
ALAMODE – 2pts win @ 15/8 (Ladbrokes)
3.45 Doncaster – Racing Post Trophy (Group 1)
At the time of writing the market is dominated by John Gosden’s Foundation who has won his first three starts including the Royal Lodge at Newmarket last time. He seemed to win with a bit in hand that day from Deauville who re-opposes here. It was the colt’s initial acceleration that seemed to be the difference on the day as he skipped a few lengths clear before Aidan O’Brien’s colt stayed on inside the final furlong to get within three-quarters of a length of the winner. The ground is set to be soft for the feature race and whilst the market leader won on good to soft in September, his trainer has stressed that he might not run him on very soft ground. In terms of ability I would say that he deserves to be the favourite but the last couple of runnings of the race have been about handling the conditions and I think there is enough doubt to be opposing him at Evens.
Aidan O’Brien runs three in the race in the shape of Deauville, Johannes Vermeer and Port Douglas and on jockey bookings at least, the first named appears to be the first string. As I mentioned he stayed on well at Newmarket to finish second and on a more conventional track it could be that he can narrow the gap between himself and the winner. He has already won on heavy ground earlier in the season and he has been fitted with cheekpieces in order to eke out a little more improvement from the colt. I think the combination of the slower ground and the new aides will
suit him better than the favourite and I fancy him to possibly go close to reversing the placings from Newmarket.
However, considering the conditions I am going to take a chance on one at a bigger price in the shape of MENGLI KHAN. His trainer Hugo Palmer has enjoyed a fantastic season including two Group 1 successes as well as a host of other big races victories. This colt is a half-brother to Champion Two-Year-Old filly Chriselliam and having run well on debut at Newmarket, got off the mark at the second time of asking at Nottingham last time. The ground was on the soft side that day and he handled it well, drawing clear in the closing stages to win by three and a quarter lengths at the line. He is a big tall colt who will no doubt come into his own next year but he has always been highly thought of by his connections and has been given an opportunity to run here. He does have a lot to find with the market principals on bare form but I am confident that he will handle the conditions underfoot and as that can’t be said for many of the rest of the field, I feel it is worth having a go on him at around the 10/1 mark.
Advice
MENGLI KHAN – 1pt win @ 9/1 (SkyBet)
John Gosden has enjoyed a fine season and went through the £5 million barrier in prize-money last weekend but there is still time for a few more high profile successes and he saddles Crazy Horse here. He is a half-brother to the smart Richard Pankhurst and despite being relatively unfancied on debut he stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to make a winning debut at Newmarket last month. The form has started to work out quite well with the sixth having won since and it is interesting that he has been sent here as connections suggested that he would have only one run this season. He has clearly benefitted from his first run and if he can handle the softer underfoot conditions he could go very close.
Godolphin won this race three years ago with Tawhid and they are represented by Start Time this year who may have taken three runs to get off the mark but looked a gelding firmly on the up when winning at Windsor last time. He won as he liked off a mark of 82 on soft ground and there is every reason to think that he will show up well here. He has more experience than most of his rivals and I was really impressed with the way that he won last time. There is a slight concern about him dropping back from an extended mile to seven furlongs but he won over seven at Thirsk so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
The one with the best form in the race to date however is probably Clive Cox’s ZONDERLAND who won by five lengths on his debut at Kempton at the beginning of September. He stepped into Group 3 company soon after in the Tattersall Stakes and despite being green leaving the stalls he showed up really well to be beaten one and a half lengths in fourth. The winner has since come out and run well in the Dewhurst behind Air Force Blue and you would have to think that he will have benefitted for that experience. He is highly thought of by his connections and as long as it isn’t too soft I think he will be seen to good effect. He looks an exciting prospect for the Clive Cox team and I think he is the one to beat.
I should also mention William Muir’s Royal Reserve who won at Salisbury last time, getting off the mark at the second attempt. The runner-up Mootaharer won well at Newmarket on Wednesday and there was talk of this horse possibly running in the Racing Post Trophy after his last run. He is clearly highly thought of and should run well but looks to have a bit to find with our selection.
Advice
ZONDERLAND – 1pt win @ 2/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power)
2.00 Doncaster – Scott Dobson Memorial Doncaster Stakes (Listed Race)
The action at Doncaster on Saturday gets underway with this Listed contest over six furlongs which has been won by Code Red and Night Of Thunder in the last two seasons. There are quite a few unexposed runners in this year’s field but I think there is a standout in the shape of Marco Botti’s DHAHMAAN. A winner of his first two starts, he beat subsequent Gimcrack winner Ajaya on his debut at Nottingham in May. He lost his unbeaten record last time at York but ran a fine race to finish second behind Richard Fahey’s Donjuan Triumphant who has since landed a Group 2 in France. There doesn’t look to be a rival of that quality in this line-up and any cut in the ground wouldn’t inconvenience him. Marco Botti has booked Frankie Dettori to take the ride and I think he is the one to beat here.
In terms of dangers, Sylvester Kirk’s Dream Destination has already run well in Group 3 company having chased home Rouleau at Kempton in September. He was far from disgraced at Ayr next time although he probably found the five furlongs a little sharp for him on the day. The return to six furlongs should see him to better effect and on official ratings at least, he looks the main danger to the selection.
I should also mention Karl Burke’s Explosive Power who is a full-brother to the yard’s smart performer Explosive Lady. He has got better with racing and finally got off the mark at the third attempt when winning at Redcar last time. The ground was on the soft side that day so he should be able to cope with these conditions and he looks to be progressing well. His connections believe he will make a better three-year-old and he could just improve past a couple of his rivals here.
Advice
DHAHMAAN – 2pts win @ 4/6 (Ladbrokes)
2.25 Newbury – Worthington´s Victoria Club Stakes (Group 3)
This Group 3 probably lacks a little bit of quality but you can make a case for Forgotten Hero who was drawn in the wrong place in the Cambridgeshire last time. It is also probably fair to say that he is better over further than nine furlongs so the return to 1m4f should see him in a better light on Saturday. Prior to that he chased home Blue Waltz in a handicap at Doncaster and although this will be his first try and Group company since he was a three-year-old, he should handle conditions well and looks a player for the frame in a weak event.
One who I imagine will be popular in the betting is Luca Cumani’s Koora who was well fancied to run well in the Park Hill at Doncaster last time but just didn’t seem to stay the extended one mile and six furlongs. Before that she ran John Gosden’s Martlet close in Listed company at York and the drop back to 1m4f should be more suitable for her. This is only the fifth start of her career so there should be more to come from her and she looks the one likely to go off favourite.
However I am going to take a chance on James Fanshawe’s MODERAH who was really impressive when getting off the mark at Leicester last time. That was her first try at 1m4f and she saw it out well, stretching clear in the closing stages to win by five lengths. This is clearly a big step up but her trainer is adept at placing his horses well and we have already seen horses with similar profiles such as The Tin Man and Star Storm successfully step up in class this term. She clearly has plenty to find with Luca Cumani’s filly but she should handle the ground and could offer a bit of value in the race.
Advice
MODERAH – 1pt e/w @ 7/1 (Paddy Power)
2.35 Doncaster – Betdaq.Com 2% Commission Handicap
The inclusion of Steps in this field sees Roger Varian’s seven-year-old carry top weight although he showed in the Portland here that weight couldn’t necessarily stop him. He also followed up in a Group 3 the following week before running well to finish eighth in the Prix de l’Abbaye behind Goldream last time. Louis Steward rode Steps on St Leger day and is replaced with 7lb claimer Cameron Noble for this run which means he is effectively racing off just 1lb higher than he did for that run. On that basis you would have to put him right in the mix and there is no doubt that whilst he can be a little awkward that he has plenty of ability. He sets a very high standard but conceding weight all around is not easy and it might be worth looking elsewhere.
For the last two years it has been Andrew Balding’s Dungannon who has found his way into the Winner’s Enclosure in this race. In terms of his mark he races off 4lb lower than this time last year and he also has the additional assistance of Rob Hornby’s 5lb claim. However he came in here on the back of a win at Ascot last year and has not shown the same sort of form this time around. He clearly loves it here and it would be no surprise to see him go close although he will need to bounce right back to form to get his head in front.
One horse who may need things to fall his way in order to get his head in front is El Viento who since winning at Sandown in August, has finished second on his last three starts. He tends to finish his races off strongly but the last couple of times he has just been unable to pick up those racing on the speed. He continues to creep up the handicap without winning but as we have seen this year it is hard to ignore Richard Fahey runners in handicaps especially. He does need a bit of luck like Steps but is clearly in fine form with himself at present and having snuck in at the foot of the weights, he could go very well.
However, I am going to side with Mick Appleby’s DEMORA who got back to winning ways at Leicester a couple of weeks ago. She had failed to show much form prior to that but her trainer gave her a break and felt that the slower ground played into her favour last time. She is pretty smart on her day and it is interesting that connections have booked Frankie Dettori who rode Danzeno for them at Champions Day last weekend. She ran a fine race in this race last year from a poor draw and races here off a 3lb lower mark. She seems to be coming into form at the right time of year and I fancy her to run a big race again here.
Advice
DEMORA – 1pt e/w @ 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
3.10 Doncaster – Bet Through The Racing Post App Handicap
In what are likely to be testing conditions on Saturday at Doncaster it will be important for horses to handle them and one horse who should have no problem doing so is Storm Force Ten. Andrew Balding’s four-year-old had a good time over hurdles last winter and showed he could still mix it on the flat by winning at Chester in May. He relished the soft ground that day and powered clear to score by two and a half lengths. He was eased down in the closing stages and you would have to think that his connections are looking towards something like the November Handicap before going back over hurdles. His mark of 89 does not put him out of it and having already won on soft ground, he looks likely to give a bold show.
Micky Hammond’s Onlyorsenfoolsies is another who is no stranger to soft ground and made all to win off a mark of 84 in May. Having stepped up in class after that he has struggled but his mark continues to fall and he is only 3lb higher than his last winning mark here. I think that there are horses with more improvement in them in the field but he may be one of the few to handle the conditions and as a result could run better than his odds suggest.
Having said that, the Classic generation have dominated this race in recent seasons having been responsible for seven of the last ten winners and they have one representative this time around in the shape of ARGUS. He won his first two starts of this season at Ripon and Windsor in June and was well backed to run well at Newmarket on his return to action but seemed to get tired in the closing stages. He had been off the track for a while so it is possible that he might just have needed the run or that he failed to handle the undulating nature of the Rowley Mile. I wouldn’t be too quick to write him off and the 1m4f trip has always seemed to be well within his stamina range. He has only had four races in his career to date so there should be further improvement to come and as long as the ground is not bottomless I think he could just have too much for his rivals here.
Advice
ARGUS – 1pt win @ 5/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
3.35 Newbury – Al Basti Equiworld Celebration Stakes (Listed Race)
I’m pretty sure that if there was a prize for the largest winning margin in a two-year-old race then Light Music wouldn’t be far from the top of that list following her fourteen lengths demolition of her rivals at Leicester last time. She was sent off favourite on her debut in September but could only finish second behind Nathra who has since finished second in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket. She is clearly a filly with plenty of ability and having had cut in the ground on both her starts to date, the conditions at the weekend are unlikely to pose her any problems. She takes on a couple of rivals who already have Group form to their name but she has already shown enough to suggest she can make her presence felt in this company. She is clearly on the upgrade and looks the best of the Queen’s two runners in this race.
Qatar Racing also have two runners at their disposal in the line-up in the shape of Flying Empress and Fourth Way, with slight preference for the first of those. She was fitted with blinkers when winning at Salisbury earlier in the season and wore them next time when she finished fourth in the Rockfel having gone off hard in front. The blinkers are swapped for a visor here possibly in the hope that she will not be as lit up in those and Oisin Murphy has picked her ahead of Roger Varian’s filly. A reproduction of her run in Group 2 company last time is likely to see her go close although ground with cut in it is something that she has yet to encounter.
With that in mind I am going to side with ALAMODE who has been a good servant to the this term, winning at Goodwood and running well at Newmarket last time. She was denied a clear run at a crucial time that day and was finishing fast to get second behind the impressive First Victory. The ground will be fine for her and this drop into Listed company looks likely to be a good opportunity for her to get her head back in front. Graham Lee has kept the ride on her having partnered her at Newmarket last time and given her form to date, I think she is the one to beat.
Advice
ALAMODE – 2pts win @ 15/8 (Ladbrokes)
3.45 Doncaster – Racing Post Trophy (Group 1)
At the time of writing the market is dominated by John Gosden’s Foundation who has won his first three starts including the Royal Lodge at Newmarket last time. He seemed to win with a bit in hand that day from Deauville who re-opposes here. It was the colt’s initial acceleration that seemed to be the difference on the day as he skipped a few lengths clear before Aidan O’Brien’s colt stayed on inside the final furlong to get within three-quarters of a length of the winner. The ground is set to be soft for the feature race and whilst the market leader won on good to soft in September, his trainer has stressed that he might not run him on very soft ground. In terms of ability I would say that he deserves to be the favourite but the last couple of runnings of the race have been about handling the conditions and I think there is enough doubt to be opposing him at Evens.
Aidan O’Brien runs three in the race in the shape of Deauville, Johannes Vermeer and Port Douglas and on jockey bookings at least, the first named appears to be the first string. As I mentioned he stayed on well at Newmarket to finish second and on a more conventional track it could be that he can narrow the gap between himself and the winner. He has already won on heavy ground earlier in the season and he has been fitted with cheekpieces in order to eke out a little more improvement from the colt. I think the combination of the slower ground and the new aides will
suit him better than the favourite and I fancy him to possibly go close to reversing the placings from Newmarket.
However, considering the conditions I am going to take a chance on one at a bigger price in the shape of MENGLI KHAN. His trainer Hugo Palmer has enjoyed a fantastic season including two Group 1 successes as well as a host of other big races victories. This colt is a half-brother to Champion Two-Year-Old filly Chriselliam and having run well on debut at Newmarket, got off the mark at the second time of asking at Nottingham last time. The ground was on the soft side that day and he handled it well, drawing clear in the closing stages to win by three and a quarter lengths at the line. He is a big tall colt who will no doubt come into his own next year but he has always been highly thought of by his connections and has been given an opportunity to run here. He does have a lot to find with the market principals on bare form but I am confident that he will handle the conditions underfoot and as that can’t be said for many of the rest of the field, I feel it is worth having a go on him at around the 10/1 mark.
Advice
MENGLI KHAN – 1pt win @ 9/1 (SkyBet)
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