Doncaster Racecourse: Preview and tips for Futurity Trophy Day
It’s the final Group One of the Flat season - the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster - and the feature contest is supported by seven further races including the Listed Prospect Stakes.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Doncaster card, brought to you by BOYLE Sports, who have all the horse racing betting.
Up first is a five-furlong handicap (12.55). Al Shabab Storm is happy on any ground and has five pounds from his rider here, so could be in luck. Luna A Inbhir Nis is another who is capable on soft ground and runs for Katie Scott, who has been having a great season. Ancient State, though, is a course and distance winner who is another versatile individual who could perform on this mark.
The feature is next; the Futurity, for two-year-old colts and fillies over a mile (13.30). Noble Exhibit is the Ballydoyle first string, having won the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last time on yielding ground. Burning Up might be the one to beat, though, with some very good form - a second in the Royal Lodge, and a win on soft ground at Haydock in September. Gran Dia should be feared, though, as the lesser-exposed son of Lope De Vega.
Race three is the Listed six-furlong Prospect Stakes (14.05). Bengal Tiger won very well on soft at Naas last time and is possibly the one to get past here, but Hi Corbett Court and Big Hitter might be two to consider as well. Crystal Queen is attractive with William Buick in the saddle, and could take a big step forward here.
A seven-furlong nursery handicap follows (14.40). There are just four runners here, of which the topweight is Godolphin's National Honour, who has won two of his three starts. Shadow King has been gelded since a poor run at York in August and has been given a good break since then too, and he could quietly creep to the front.
Next is a mile handicap (15.19). Cavolo Nero handles soft ground well but looks too high in the handicap still, while Andesite might be able to rise to the occasion here after a winning performance on heavy ground at Chester. Desperate Dan, however, could bounce back with the application of first-time blinkers here and must be taken seriously as a course and distance winner.
Race six is a 10-furlong handicap (15.55). Mondo Man is a good dual-purpose sort who is on a much more attractive mark on the Flat now and, given his preferred softer surface, looks a serious player. Have Secret could represent some good each-way value as well.
Second to last is the first division of a seven-furlong handicap (16.30). Count Palatine could get into it here, but William Haggas’ Crown Office is much more convincing, especially from the inside draw off a nice, winnable mark. Quest For Fun, though, is certainly one to think about ground like this, and his mark is not beyond him.
The meeting concludes with the second division (17.05). Prosperitas likes this sort of surface and could be competitive at this mark, but Freddie Steady Go could be better off here. Highland Ollie, though, is eyecatching from stall two, is handy on this ground and is back on his latest winning mark. He should have a chance.
Doncaster selections - Saturday
12.55 - Luna A Inbhir Nis
13.30 - Burning Up
14.05 - Bengal Tiger
14.40 - Shadow King
15.19 - Desperate Dan
15.55 - Mondo Man
16.30 - Quest For Fun
17.05 - Highland Ollie