The horse racing broadcaster offers his best bets from the second day of Doncaster’s Leger meeting, plus one from Salisbury.
It’s day two of Doncaster’s Leger meeting, and along with the usual five races from Town Moor there’s a bonus courtesy of the rescheduled Dick Poole from Salisbury, meaning a total of six races on ITV4.
The hardest of those races looks to be the first where the potential for a steady gallop, which could inconvenience Subsequent and doubts over the heartiness in a finish of Faylaq and Quantum Leap (starts slowly) means it could be worth taking a chance with DREAM HARDER (13:55 Doncaster) at a big price. His rider Jamie Spencer is better known as a hold up rider but actually has a good record making the running, most recently with the likes of Nascimento and Mukaber and of course memorably with Royal Scotsman at Epsom’s Derby meeting. If Dream Harder can be ridden prominently he could catch a few of the others out.
Things look easier with the Listed Flying Scotsman next up where many will be hoping that after the announcement that this will be his last season that the Sir Michael Stoute trained Jonquil will build on the promise he showed when winning on debut at Sandown. He overcame trouble to win that day but SYMBOL OF HONOUR
5/2
(14:25 Doncaster) sets a good standard on his Royal Ascot 6th in the Coventry which has thrown up five next time out winners. He has been absent since so a positive paddock mention would increase confidence. James Doyle rides with William Buick heading to Canada for rides on Saturday.
The return to 5f will suit BIG MOJO
100/30
(15:00 Doncaster) in the Group 2 Flying Childers. Mick Appleby’s juvenile won the Molecomb at Goodwood before seeming to fail to see out an extra furlong at York. He moved to the front travelling well that day and back at the minimum trip under regular rider Silvestre de Sousa can make his presence felt.
There are lots of familiar faces in the feature race the Group 2 Doncaster Cup named after Howard Wright, synonymous with this meeting for many, and who sadly passed away recently. Sweet William is the most likely winner but requires plenty of finessing and is therefore one I am never comfortable taking a short price about. It may require a leap of faith after the last two runs but COLTRANE
9/1
(15:35 Doncaster) won this race in 2022 beating Trueshan and has been a regular fixture on these types of races. He will go off at a significantly bigger price than usual because of his last two below par efforts and it is interesting that Oisin Murphy (also Canada bound) hangs around to ride him.
Next up is the rescheduled Dick Poole at Salisbury where TABITI
7/4
(15:55 Salisbury) could turn out to be one of the best horses on display all afternoon. She was notably strong in the market before winning a newcomers race at Newmarket under Rossa Ryan and along with Jewelry, a similarly impressive winner on debut at Newbury, looks well above average. After the disappointment of losing their meeting last week it is great that the race has not just been rescheduled but also gets TV coverage given the potential strength of this year’s race.
CABRERA
17/10
(16:10) was slightly below par at Newmarket last time when sent off favourite but had been making good strides prior to that and can regain the winning thread here. He looks by far the most progressive in the field and is a strong traveller proved over course and distance.
Visit Betway’s horse racing betting page.