A nice little 2 year old Group 3 contest to start off with this week. Lets hope it’s a winning start! Richard Hannon has been in sparkling form this season, especially with his 2 year olds and he runs 2 of them in this contest. Bonnie Charlie is the mount of Richard Hughes. He’s stepping up in trip to 7f having previously won over 5 and 6. A close 2nd over the shortest trip behind Finjaan is promising form given Finjaan’s great effort in the Dewhurst last week. The ground won’t be a problem either so will be in amongst it if he gets the trip. Lucky Redback is the second Hannon horse. He’s taking a big step up in class but does get the trip. He won’t want it too soft judging by his last performance. Cry Of Freedom is a Listed winner over course and distance. The going was the same for that win as is predicted for Saturday. Has had disappointing efforts on his last 2 runs when he was 8th in the Group 3 Solario Stakes and then well down the field in the Tattersall’s Million. Nasri finished 3rd in the latter of those races. That was his first effort at 7f and he was not disgraced. The winner of that race is running at the Breeders Cup. No concerns over the ground for him and will hopefully have come on for that run. Others of interest are Jobe and Rileyskeepingfaith. The former has contested higher grade races but over a furlong shorter. He was 3rd in the Gimcrack transferred to Newbury beating home the likes of Art Connoisseur and Marine Boy. The one horse he beat home in the Middle Park Stakes was Finjaan, so lines can be drawn with Bonnie Charlie. Rileyskeepingfaith has been suited by the step up to 7f. 2 wins and a 2nd place finish behind Wingwalker put him right in the picture. So with lots in with a chance selecting the winner is as tricky as ever. - VE
Selection: Nasri
Danger 1: Jobe
Danger 2: Rileyskeepingfaith
2:25 CORAL.CO.UK HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (3yo+,0-100) 5f GOOD
A wide open handicap over the straight 5 furlongs, and I think the draw is going to be all important. The 6 furlong race on Friday was dominated by those drawn high, and I see no reason for the draw to switch around. Therefore I am going to concentrate on those drawn 15 and above, starting with stall 22 the horse nearest the rail. That horse is Fantasy Explorer who loves good ground and a good quick sprint, having won over 6 furlongs before being eased out last time. Having the rail could well be really important here and going with the pace he should get really close to winning this. Also going with the early pace will be the Scoop6 blog favourite Captain Dunne who was my selection when 3rd and then one of Anubisrich’s dangers when finishing 3rd again last time. He should make this a proper test and will drag those drawn high along at a breakneck pace. If these go off to quickly then the danger could well be The Jobber who comes from off the pace. He is on a handy mark and looks sure to run his race once again.
There are others of massive interest but they are drawn low, including the likely favourite Cheveton. - JB
Selection: Fantasy Explorer
Danger 1: Captain Dunne
Danger 2: The Jobber
Doncaster 15:00 Racingpost.com Doncaster Stakes (Listed) (2yo)
Sayif is the class horse here and has shown great consistency recently. Almost impossible to oppose, the only possible negative is if the jockey tries his glory seeking fast finish but leaves it too late. You could argue that the horse can’t get his nose in front but those who have conquered him read like a whos who of 2yo talent this season. Bushranger (running later at the Breeders Cup meeting), Lord Shanakill (gutsy performance last weekend in the G1 Dewhurst) and Orizaba. The winning margin hasn’t been significant, that could mean the horse is classy, it could also mean the horse doesn’t want to win. This will be the selection but a couple of others represent better value for money.The race for second will probably come from exposed types Favourite Girl and Able Master and unexposed Dark Mischief, Enderby Spirit and Hartley. Experience was useful last weekend in the Dewhurst after a battling finish, I’m not sure it will be this weekend. Of these I select Favourite Girl who performed well in similar conditions last time out, only just going down by a short head and should go well here. The unexposed horses are not only lightly raced but haven’t been campaigned anywhere near the highest level. Their form is therefore untested but I expect to see one in the mixer and Dark Mischief, after a long layoff could be targeted for this and is fresh enough to strike - AR.
Selection: Sayif
Danger 1: Favourite Girl
Danger 2: Dark Mischief
3:20 E B F INKERMAN LONDON FILLIES' HANDICAP (CLASS 3) (3yo+,0-95) 7f GD-SFT
This is a dire race, which could be won by any 1 of 19 horses! The race once again revolves around the draw for me, with those drawn high being favoured. The selection is going to be one at a massive price, Badweia, the horse is only 2lbs higher than its best winning mark and looked in good form when winning in first time blinkers. She is lowly rated and looks likely to run a good race, drawn highest and has plenty going for her. The dangers are vast, with the once raced Cosmopolitan, the lightly raced Danae both having leading claims. However my dangers are also at massive prices, the first being Izzibizzi, she finally got her head in front last time out on the All Weather. She carries bottom weight and is on a very nice weight if her run in a sales race as a two year old is anything to go by. The other danger being put forward is also drawn high, and is an even bigger price. Folly Lodge is 3lbs higher than her winning handicap mark, and has gradually fallen down the weights this season. She runs well at this course and is entitled to show improved form off a 3lbs lower weight. - JB
Selection: Badweia
Danger 1: Izzibizzi
Danger 2: Folly Lodge
Doncaster 15:35 Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) (2yo)
One of the highlights of the 2yo season and we start with Sri Putra, a surprise declaration and therefore one that should be respected. Disappointed last time out but should be suited to this extra furlong. However, will likely set the pace and leave it open to fast finishing types. Masterofthehorse is likely to be one of these but shapes as if 8f is too short. You can never discount an O’Brien mount but with the big man focussing on bigger challengers a few thousand miles away this could be another G1 just out of reach. Marching Time will also attempt to come off the pace and this is Stoute’s mount. Narrow margin of victory in a class 4 does not inspire but certainly finished as if the mile was needed. Much improvement required but a possibility.My fancy is Jukebox Jury, this Montjeu grey was a fine victor over DG at Ascot and after a month’s break seems primed for this. Shouldn’t find trouble on this straight track and will not have a better chance at G1 glory. Crowded House is an improver and has earned his attempt here. Spencer will either be full of confidence after guiding Sayif to victory in the previous race or nervous after messing things up. If it’s the former then will be a big player, I think he will find a couple too good though. Red Spider, unlike Marching Time, was impressive last time out in a lower class and could have won by further. Obviously more improvement is required and lack of experience could be a negative on the big occasion but the stable is in great recent form as well as having a fantastic season - AR.
Selection: Jukebox Jury
Danger 1: Red Spider
Danger 2: Masterofthehorse
Newbury 3:55 Play Blackjack At Intercasino.co.uk Stakes (Listed) (Fillies) (2yo) 7f
We started with the 2year old colts and finish with this Listed contest for 2 year old fillies. Honest Quality is one I’m very keen on. Won at Listed level last time over 7f and carries a 3lbs penalty as a result. That shouldn’t have too much bearing on her performance though as I’d be hopeful of further improvement from that display. She’s the one to beat in my eyes but what of the others? There are 3 once raced unbeaten fillies in this. Cashleen, Club Tahiti and Enact. The first and last’s victories came over 6f on good to firm ground. The furlong further and softer conditions may stretch their stamina. Club Tahiti’s win was over course and distance on good to soft. There are 6 others in the field that have wins to their name over the 7f distance. They are La Adelita, Nora Mae, Purple Sage, Seradim, Such Optimist and Yorksters Girl. None of which were in anything like this class. A couple to pick out are Seradim, who has been Listed placed, Purple Sage, who was not disgraced in the Rockfel Stakes, and Summer Fete, who finished 4th in a Group 3 last time out. - VE
Selection: Honest Quality
Danger 1: Seradim
Danger 2: Club Tahiti
1. Nasri
2. Fantasy Explorer
3. Sayif
4. Badweia
5. Jukebox Jury
6. Honest Quality
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