Rest of Doncaster

The Group One Ladbrokes Sprint Cup over 6 furlongs at 15.35 CET is the other big event at Doncaster, and is run here in place of the abandened Haydock meeting last week. This is almost a re-run f the Prox Maurice de Gheest at Deauville a month ago, in which Criquette-Head´s African Rose (Stephane Pasquier) finished runner-up to Europan champion srinter Marchand dÓr, with Utmost Respoect (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) fourth, and Aidan O´Brien´s pair US Ranger (Johnny Murtagh) and Astronomer Royal (Colm O´Donoghue) as well as Godolphin´s Diabloical (Frankie Dettori) all dead-heating for fifth. There could be little between this group again. There are two more group races on the Doncaster card, the Champagne Stakes for 2yo´s at 14.35 and the Park Staks for oler horses at 16.45, both Group Two´s over 7 furlongs. In the former race, there are 3 unbeaten juveniles, Zacinto (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), War Native (Jetemy Noseda/ Shane Kelly) and Playfellow (Michael Jarvis/ Phil ip Robinson), all moving up in bgrade and now facing the proven group race horses Master Noverre (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Westphalia (O´Brien/ Murtagh). In the latter event Richard Hannon´s Major Cadeaux (Moore) look the safest option, although the much improved Laa Rayb (Mark Johnston/ Royston Ffrench) and Noseda´s Arabian Gleam (Murtagh), last year´s winner on much faster ground, are alternatives. The big betting race of ther day is the Portland Handicap over 5 1/2 furlongs at 15.05. With 22 runners this is almost impossible to solve. Cheveton (Richard Price/ Jim Crwoley) has won 5 in a row and is possibly the most improved sprint handicapper in training, but this looks very tough. In these races it is often best to side with David Nicholls; he has 4 runners here and possibly Strike up the Band (Ryan Moore) could be the best of them.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Zacinto - Westphalia - Master Noverre
2.Race: Cheveton - Buachaill Dona - Hogmaneigh
3.Race: Utmost Respect - African Rose - Us Ranger
4.Race: Frozen Fire - Look Here - Doctor Fremantle
5.Race: Major Cadeaux - Laa Rayb - Racer Forever
6.Race: Moonquake - Tastahil - New Guinea
7.Race: River Captain - Roly Boy - Battle Of Hastings
8.Race: Blythe Knight - Mia`S Boy - Caldra