Doncaster Racecourse: Preview and tips for Saturday’s eight-race meeting

Saturday’s eight-race card features the Listed Wentworth Stakes, the Listed Gillies Stakes and the valuable November Handicap.

Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Doncaster card, courtesy of Betway.

The first race is an apprentice handicap run over seven furlongs (11.37). With a near maximum field size of 21 runners, this is a competitive race. The employ of five-pound claimer Toby Moore for Richard Hannon’s Talis Evolvere adds to his case, but the ground may be a touch too soft to get the best of out him. Making his first start for Jamie Osborne is United Approach, who has gone close off a pound higher than he is today, and rider Donagh Murphy’s five pounds will be helpful too. This horse goes best on soft ground and he could run well on stable debut.

Next is the first division of a two-year-olds’ six furlong maiden (12.15). We have two newcomers here in the field of 10; Jack Jones’ Montu and David Menuisier’s Avispado, who wears a hood. William Stone’s Big Harry showed ability on soft ground last time out at Leicester, and should factor once again, but Pilgrim’s Progress could also be effective on this surface and go nicely for Richard Hannon.

In the second division (12.50), the debutants are Ralph Beckett’s Angel Gabriel, Karl Burke’s I’ll Be Back, Harry Charlton’s Leonetto and Ed Dunlop’s Slack Bob. The Charlton runner has the most significant connections, running in the Juddmonte colours, so ought to be worth considering on that alone, but his breeding is also promising. By Frankel, he is bred on the same cross as Nassau Stakes winner Lody Bowthorpe and should go nicely on soft ground too.

Race four is the six-furlong Wentworth Stakes, a Listed contest for those aged three and older (1.25). If the ground stays soft, Tim Easterby’s Art Power is worth some serious consideration. He was disappointing last time at Ascot but the company here is easier and he has a way of bouncing back. Spycatcher should be involved, but the turnaround from winning at Chantilly a week ago may be too quick. Apollo One could go well, having been impressive on soft ground at Ascot last time.

The fifth race is a six-furlong nursery handicap (2.00). Mick and David Easterby’s The Resdev Scholar seeks a hat-trick, having won his last two runs, including over course and distance on heavy ground last time. Raised just a pound in the handicap for that, he could factor once again. Rum Therapy is best on soft ground and could impress from stall one, while Jonathan Portman’s Gorey Gold may also have a chance, having shown an affinity for this surface last time at Newbury.

Next is a high class six-furlong handicap (2.35). With 22 runners, this is another difficult race to sift through as there is a lot of quality form on offer from high class horses. Wathnan’s second string Fine Interview seeks a hat-trick, but the choice of their retained rider - James Doyle - is Realign, who is unproven on ground like this. Stormy Impact is partnered by Warren Fentiman again, who gets a good tune out of the filly, while Solar Aclaim makes some appeal too. The consistent Smart Vision shouldn’t be overlooked for Jessica Macey, either.

The penultimate race is the 10-furlong Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (3.10). John and Thady Gosden’s Danielle tops the ratings by six pounds to the next best, Elwateen, so should outclass them here, despite not having won a race since her novice success last year. She is best on soft ground, so may have it all to play for here, and is more lightly raced this term than others. Very able on soft ground is Ralph Beckett’s Perfect Your Craft, who could run to a place.

Finally, Doncaster’s Flat season concludes with the mile and a half November Handicap (3.45). There is a maximum sized field of 23, so finding the winner here is another tall order. Atherstone Warrior seeks a hat-trick but, up in both the weights and in class, this may prove to be too much, but he does have Ashley Lewis’ five pounds to help him. Master Vintner might be more within his comfort zone, and stablemate Lord Melbourne, the winner of this race last year, is not forgotten about either.

Doncaster selections - Saturday:

11.37 - United Approach

12.15 - Big Harry

12.50 - Leonetto

1.25 - Art Power

2.00 - Gorey Gold

2.35 - Stormy Impact

3.10 - Danielle

3.45 - Master Vintner