Stradivarius is the big name on show this Friday as he bids to extend his winning run in the Doncaster Cup. A’Ali looks to show he wasn’t just an early type in the Flying Childers Stakes. Elsewhere on the card, Di Fede can continue the good run of owner Robert Ng and Saroog will be hard to beat in the Mallard.
Sceptre Stakes
Roger Varian’s Farzeen has won her last two starts in very taking fashion and although they were only novice events, she looks like a classy individual.
Di Fede seems to improve with racing and finished fourth in a Group 3 at Goodwood. She was a listed winner last season and must go close. The Irish-raider Servalan is an interesting contender but I think this trip stretches her stamina.
It was disappointing that Foxtrot Lady couldn’t get her head in front at Sailsbury but she’s got some back class and is an intriguing runner.
Selection: Di Fede – E/W
Mallard Handicap
Just the six go to post for this handicap and in truth, it looks like a two-horse race with Saroog and Charles Kingsley. Simon Crisford’s Saroog is bred to improve with age and distance. His last two wins have been taking and will take all the beating off five-pounds higher.
Charles Kingsley represents the all-conquering Mark Johnston team and wasn’t beaten far in the Old Borough Cup when last seen. This is his fourteenth run of the season but continues to run well and should give the ‘fav’ most to think about.
Selection: Saroog
Doncaster Cup
The dual £1 million staying bonus winner and leading stayer Stradivarius looks next to impossible to beat here. John Gosden’s star bids for a first victory in the race en-route to landing his 10th straight victory. On his only run at Doncaster he finished a close fourth in the St Leger and you need not look further.
Of the others, Dee Ex Bee looks set to chase him Stradivarius once again and I’m sure Mark Johnston is getting sick of seeing him. He’s finished runner up on his last three clashes and is booked for another runner-up spot here.
Selection: Stradivarius
Flying Childers Stakes
We go from the stayers to the sprinters in the Flying Childers, a race won by the likes of Fleeting Spirit, Sir Dancealot and Zebedee in recent times. The Norfolk winner A’Ali looks te pick on form and although he was well beaten in a Group 1 in France, there were excuses for that run and can be expected to bounce back here.
The biggest danger should come from Joseph O’Brien’s Alligator Alley who steeped his form up with a runner-up finish the Molecomb and then a fine win in a listed event at York.
Wheels Of Fire has won well on both starts on Brittish soil in the Windsor Castle and the Molecomb. He’s now joined the Irish operation of Aidan Fogarty and Con Marnane. He’ll need to find improvement to win but looks best of the rest.
Selection: A’Ali
