A Proper Yorkshire Afternoon
There's something rather comforting about a midweek card at Doncaster, isn't there? Reminds me of those school holiday afternoons when Dad would have the racing on the kitchen radio while Mum tutted about the washing up. Seven races on the card today, and with the going described as good, we should be in for some honest, straightforward racing on Town Moor.
The Doncaster racecard presents a nice mix - from eager two-year-olds having their first taste of racecourse life to battle-hardened veterans who know every blade of grass on this famous Yorkshire track. The good ground will suit the majority, though I suspect a few of the older campaigners might have preferred a bit more give underfoot.
The Feature Race: Hibernian Community Foundation Handicap
The pick of the afternoon has to be the 3:15 Hibernian Community Foundation Handicap Stakes, a Class 4 affair over the minimum trip that's drawn together eight runners with plenty of course form between them. At £10,000 to the winner, it's the most valuable prize on offer.
Rosenpur heads the weights on a mark of 80, and rightly so. This six-year-old has won at the course before and Paul Mulrennan's booking suggests connections are confident. The good ground should be ideal - he's shown his best form on similar conditions.
Sugar Hill Babe is another course winner who demands respect. Clifford Lee takes the ride on this Lisa Williamson-trained mare, and at 79 she's only a pound worse off than the topweight. Her Doncaster form reads well, and she's the type who thrives on this sort of galloping track.
The interesting runner for me is Curious Rover. Winner over course and distance, this Katie Scott-trained five-year-old has been running consistently without quite getting his head in front recently. The drop back to five furlongs might just be the key, and Darragh Keenan is a jockey in fine form.
Course Specialists to Follow
When it comes to Doncaster, experience counts for everything. The track has its own character - that long, galloping straight can find out the pretenders from the genuine articles pretty quickly.
In the 2:40 Edinburgh Rugby Handicap, Cougar stands out as a course and distance winner. This seven-year-old has been knocking on the door recently, and Cara Tuke's claim could prove valuable in a competitive handicap. The step up to a mile and four furlongs should suit - he's always been better with cut in the ground, but the good conditions shouldn't inconvenience him too much.
Glasses Up is another who knows his way around here. At eleven years old, this R. Mike Smith-trained veteran has seen it all before. Clifford Lee rides, and while the years are catching up, class is permanent.
Don't overlook Sycamore Gap either - a course winner who's been running well without winning recently. The distance suits, and Oliver Stammers is a capable pilot.
Ones to Watch Across the Card
The opening EBF Restricted Novice Stakes is always fascinating - just four two-year-olds having their first taste of the big wide world. Kodi Bear Light represents the powerful K.R. Burke stable, and any runner from that yard demands respect in juvenile company. Clifford Lee takes the ride, which is a positive sign.
In the 2:05 Virgin Bet Handicap, Riffa Spirit looks the one to beat. Top-rated on 70, this three-year-old has been running well and Zak Wheatley is riding with confidence at the moment.
Later in the afternoon, the 4:25 Racing TV Handicap could fall to Spirit Catcher. This Philip Kirby-trained seven-year-old is a course winner and has been running consistently. The good ground should suit, and at the weights he looks well treated.
The finale, the 5:00 Livescore Bet Handicap, is wide open with thirteen runners. Filey Beach catches the eye as a course and distance winner for Ruth Carr. Joanna Mason takes the ride, and this five-year-old has been running well in similar company.
Going and Ground Conditions
The good ground is crucial to today's selections. Several of our fancied runners have shown their best form on these conditions, and it should ensure we get true running throughout the afternoon. The five-furlong races should be particularly competitive - good ground tends to bring them all together over the minimum trip.
For the longer races, the good ground might just favour those with a bit of pace. The marathon trip in the Edinburgh Rugby Handicap could see the race develop into a real staying test, despite the conditions being on the quick side.
Best Bets and Final Thoughts
If I had to put my money where my mouth is today, I'd be looking seriously at Rosenpur in the feature race. Course form, top jockey booking, and conditions to suit - what more do you want?
Curious Rover in the same race offers each-way value, while Cougar in the Edinburgh Rugby Handicap looks overpriced given his course-winning form.
For a bit of fun, Kodi Bear Light in the opener might just announce himself as one for the future. The Burke stable know what they're doing with juveniles, and first-time-out winners are their specialty.
It promises to be a cracking afternoon's racing on Town Moor. The good ground should ensure honest gallops, the fields are competitive without being unmanageable, and there's enough course form in the book to give us all a fighting chance. As my old granddad used to say, 'When they're running on good ground at Doncaster, they're running true.' Here's hoping we can find a few winners along the way.
