Doncaster selections Saturday 28th March
We have the traditional opener to the flat season in Britain today with Doncaster opening proceedings. The Lincoln Handicap provides the first big betting race of the turf season and I have two each-way alternatives to take on the two big favourites in the market. I also have a potential value bet for the earlier Cammidge Trophy, the first pattern race of the new campaign. Charisma Cat landed us the Mares Hurdle at Newbury last week (advised 13/2).
Doncaster 1.50: Aramram
It has taken a long time for ARAMRAM to earn his first shot at pattern company, but at the age of five he has strong claims of making that first run a successful one at Doncaster this afternoon.
He took in a lot of the big 6f handicaps last season, running incredibly consistently throughout. That campaign concluded with a game, though narrow success at Ascot from a mark 0f 97, one that probably persuaded connections to step him up in grade. He started 2025 with four consecutive second places including at Newmarket on two occasions before getting a deserved win at Newbury.
His last visit to Doncaster was a successful one at the 2024 Leger meeting and he seems equally adept on all ground conditions. He seems to go well fresh having won first time out that season by 6l and it is quite possible that he will improve again from four to five.
Doncaster 3.32: Galeron & Tribal Chief
Whilst the two market leaders hold very strong claims, La Botte will need luck in running and is unproven on softer going whilst Eternal Force is up in grade and looks short enough. Instead I like the claims of two horses at bigger prices.
Charlie Hills is often adept at getting one ready early when required and GALERON is on the sort of mark to win a race of this quality. He started life with this yard, running to a very high level in his first two seasons. However he then went Down Under for a year which did not turn out so well.
As a result he returned to Hills for 2025, starting with a fine fifth place in this very race from a mark of 102 last season. Perhaps that run too something of a toll as he went missing in the summer, however he does seem ground dependent and returned to form in the second half of last season as the going eased.
He was a fair third at the Leger meeting and we also last saw him over this course and distance when a strong finishing second to Desperate Dan on heavy going in October. He can race off 95 today, 7lbs lower than last year’s renewal and you can add a 5lb claim of Jack Callan to that in addition.
TRIBAL CHIEF comes with more risks, but given his fine record first time out, looks worth chancing something on.
He went on a winning spree in 2024, landing four prizes including two on soft going. Last season started with a bizarre but meritorious performance at Newmarket at the Craven meeting. Slowly away, he was soon detached, but flew home for second place behind Bullet Point. Considering that track heavily favours pace, that was an eyecatching effort.
His runs after that were a mixed bag, but he landed a god pot at Goodwood in August, again making up considerable ground from the rear. That was the first occasion on which he was ridden by Sean Levey and the Irishman takes the mount once more here. Provided he does not give away too much ground in the early stages, the likely strong pace will definitely be of great assistance to him.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Aramram – 1.50 Doncaster – 12/1 Betfred (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Galeron – 3.32 Doncaster – 12/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
0.5pts each-way – Tribal Chief – 3.32 Doncaster – 16/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
