Doncaster selections Friday 12th September
The Leger meeting at Doncaster steps up a gear for Day 2 with the Doncaster Cup, always one of the best staying races in the calendar the feature. We have a warm favourite bidding to follow up last year’s win, but I am opposing him with a strong each-way alternative. I also have selections for both the opening and closing race on the card. Native Warrior was a winner for us at Ascot on Saturday (advised 4/1) whilst Fantasy World was placed for the each-way bet (SP 12/1).
Doncaster 1.15: Maxi King & Synergism
Two horses at opposite ends of the handicap are fancied for the Mallard.
MAXI KING can benefit from a change of handler with Kevin Phillippart de Foy having taken over the majority of Amo horses, and to good effect already in a number of cases. This horse has only been seen once this season, when a highly respectable third on Derby Day at Epsom over 12f.
However that is not a negative as Maxi King has proved on several occasions that he is a horse best caught fresh. He won first time out in both 2023 (on this track) and 2024 as well as that fine effort at Epsom this season, so a gap of three months since should not have done him any harm. The fact there is some dig in the ground will be in his favour. He does have stamina to prove having been well beaten on his only previous try at 14f, but that was in a red hot Royal Ascot handicap on fast going.
SYNERGISM has thrived since being stepped up in distance and trainer Mark Prescott has clearly targeted this meeting for many of his higher rated horses. He already has three wins to his name this summer, over 14f at Sandown before two wins over 2m at Kempton.
He ran a cracker to be second in a Racing League contest at Newcastle on his last start, but seems equally adept on turf and a stiff 14f here should suit ideally. Getting the 3yo weight-for-age allowance is an advantage that Prescott has exploited with his stayers regularly and he can run off the minimum weight here with stable jockey Luke Morris able to do this light weight.
Doncaster 3.00: Hipop de Loire
Sweet William is a worthy favourite considering his consistent form in these Cup races and he goes particularly well here having been runner up in the 2023 contest and winning this race last year. The long finishing straight serves this galloper well. However he is very tricky and when there are doubts over his resolution, taking a short price is not recommended. Instead at each-way odds HIPOP DE LOIRE is preferred.
This horse has been an unlucky fifth and sixth in the last two runnings of the Ebor having met trouble in running on both occasions. However in fairness, he has not been able to make his own luck as he got slightly outpaced on the turn for home over 14f on both occasions before staying on late once getting a run. I think he will be far better suited by the step up in distance today.
He has already won with ease over 2m6f at Galway, albeit in a much lower grade hurdle, but his style of racing strongly suggests we will see a better horse at this distance. Like the favourite, a long finishing straight should be perfect and this ground just on the slow side, will not be an excuse.
Doncaster 5.20: Woodstock
On breeding WOODSTOCK should be better over far further than 6f, being out of a mile winning mare and the son of a Leger winner. However his last two runs, both at this distance have seen him excel at Ripon, a track known for favouring speed. Therefore a stiffer 6f here should see him in an even better light.
He can take a bit of a pull, hence the reason connections have probably opted to try him at 6f. In a big field here, he ought to be able to get plenty of cover and bring his undoubted stamina into play late. He has the apprentice of the moment Warren Fentiman onboard and although plenty of front-runners were winning here yesterday, this track does lend itself well to hold up horses in sprints and we will have a headwind to contend with today which should help Woodstock even more.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Maxi King – 1.15 Doncaster – 13/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Synergism – 1.15 Doncaster – 6/1 Ladbrokes (1/4 odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Hipop de Loire – 3.0 Doncaster – 6/1 William Hill (¼ odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Woodstock – 5.20 Doncaster – 9/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
