Sport is made for betting

Kempton 1410 Monday Apr 24 Novice Auction Stakes 5f, Class 5, 59.88s (slow by 1.18s) Standard Corinthia Knight . Won easily on debut and took a significant step up here, improving 15pts on RPR figures (95). Jumped well, straight to the lead, controlled the pace. Shot clear on straightening, excellent turn of foot, absolutely pissed in. This is a Group horse, Royal Ascot bound for sure. Autumn Lodge . Third run of career already. Sensibly held rail behind the leader while others wanted to go around the tight bend and face the breeze. Shesgotthelot . Feb 24. Vendor buyback as yearling, £4k. Half-brother to New Bidder, OR98, winner of six races so far. Rest of the family quite limited. Slow to begin, out the back early. Made ground in the straight, claiming third in final strides, a long way behind the winner. Auntie Pam . Second on debut at Wolverhampton, ahead of a couple of horses which have since won. Went forward, tried to match it with the leader but just as she got on l...

Nottingham 1800 Apr 21 Novice Stakes 5f 13yds 1m0.29s (slow by 1.79s) Good to Firm, Good in Places Simmy's Copshop . Mar 28, €45k yearling (15500gns foal). Dam won twice on AW, peaked at 76. Stable flying with juveniles, seventh winner from 14 runners. Sat handy just off the pace, eased into the clear approaching 1f, lengthened stride nicely to claim victory near the line. Whip not used and eased on line. More to come from him. Havana Grey . Feb 12, €70k yearling (42k gns foal). Dam won six from 20, never contested further than 5f. Peak rating OR89. Drove through to lead on the rail. Challenged at 2f, had Poignant covered but couldn't match the winner over concluding stages. Nice debut. Poignant . Seventh at Leicester on debut. Strong support, 9/1 into 11/2. Jumped nicely, disputed lead with Havana Grey. Under pressure at 1f, outpaced but kept on OK to keep third. Choice Encounter . Feb 5, vendor buyback £65k. Dam won once (on AW) from 17, peak rating OR62. Drifted 10s...

Dundalk 1720 EBF Race 5f, 1m2.03s (slow by 4.33s) Standard Sirici . Trainer looking to make hay while the sun shined, third start in 22 days. Bounced out well, sat outside the leader. Last to go for home and always had them covered depsite needing a couple of cracks with the whip. Improved again, best RPR of the campaign. Spirit Power . Second on debut to Sirici a fortnight previous, and expected to have more upside. Disputed lead on the inside, made the first move 2f out but unable to get head in front at any stage and never threatened the winner. Mount Wellington . Feb 10, €475k yearling. Dam won a G3 on heavy track, peaked at OR103. Half-sister yet to show much. Backed from 8/11 to 1/2. Sat behind leaders, swung clear with cutaway rail entering the straight but found nothing, just plodded home. Legatum . Third run of career. Showing some improvement but so are his rivals. Sat midfield, urged along approaching turn. Was never going to challenge the leaders but kept on OK. B...

Bath 1700 Thurs Apr 14 Conditions Stakes 5f11yds, Class 2, 1m2.97s (slow by 2.47s) Firm £20k race, quite lucrative for Bath. Chagatai . Feb 1, €110k yearling, half-brother to two winners. 5/2 into 7/4 favouritism. Checked early as Airshow edged right, and pulled back to last, only costing him a length or two. Settled just behind them, mid-pack and covered on all sides. Tried to push between the leaders approaching the furlong, gap never opened and had to hook wide to make his run. Took a few strides to get balanced but accelerated nicely to claim victory on the line. Plenty more to come from this one, very strong through the line and kept going a long way past the post. Last Page . Second on debut in Brocklesby. Missed start slightly, settled back and wide. Green and wanted to overrace. Challenged at the 2f, edged left at 1f to take the lead. Saw off Autumn Lodge and looked home until Chagatai flew home late. Once he gets his act together, could be quite a decent horse. Autu...

Bath 1655 Fri Apr 21 EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes 5f11yds, Class 5, 1m2.57s (slow by 2.07s) Firm Mutanaaseq . 125k gns yearling. Half-brother to Ahlan Emarati who also won on debut here, peaked at OR 109 and as a 2yo, ran close to Kool Kompany, Highland Reel and Muhaarar. Missed start slightly and eased behind the field on settling. Came around the field at the 2f to make his run, didn't really get going until he changed lead leg and jockey switched hands with the whip, about 100yds out. Then lengthened stride nicely to claim leader right on the post. A few cracks of the whip but think there's still more to come. Big Time Maybe . Apr 30. £44k yearling. Half-brother to smart Angelic Lord, peak rating OR108 and winner on debut for this yard. Jumped straight to the front, comfortable until the 2f when stoked up. Kicked 3L clear on the bend, took a decent one to nab him on the winning line. (Seemed an unusual choice from connections to go to Bath, but it was later reveal...

Newbury 1400 Fri Apr 21 EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes 5f34yds, Class 4, 1m3.38s (slow by 3.98s) Good to Firm All previously unraced. Gold Town . Mar 28. Didn't go to the sales. Dam a Listed winner and won four times at two, peaking at OR106 from 11 starts. Stable's first 2yo runner in 2017 won on Tuesday (Sound and Silence). Away well, restrained to sit handy to the pace. Came off Qaaraat's back at the furlong and put in a few nice strides to promptly take control. Nice turn of foot and held the others at bay, still had something left on the line. Headway . Mar 14. 60k gns yearling (38k gns foal). Dam won three times 1m2f-1m3f. In astute stable, backed from 9/1 into 7/1. Broke well, wanted to overrace early when restrained to the back of the field. Edged forward to challenge at the furlong pole in a line of five and couldn't quite hold off the winner. Couldn't see the whip pulled at all, certainly one to watch. Embour . Apr 28. £145k yearling (€98k foal). All...

Navan 1415 Sunday Apr23 EBF Fillies Maiden 5f, 1m1.77s (slow by 2.27s) Good Too Familiar . Feb 21, €25k yearling. Most recent half-brother (Ronald R) shows talent, current OR85. Jumped well, sat towards the back of big bunch, no more than 3L from the lead. Jockey had to earn his sling weaving through the pack. Only got clear inside the final furlong, ran on strongly when gaps appeared, seemed to have quite a bit left in tank. Visually impressive, more to come. Rated equal top 2yo race in Ireland (RPR figures) so far this season. Crown Leah . Mar 19, €34k yearling. Dam won a 2yo maiden and then a C7 off 45. Began well, sat just behind the pace. Urged along inside 2f and took lead at furlong pole. Looked home until Too Familiar got clear and dove through on her inside. Nice run. Summerseat Mist . Expected to go well after close third at Dundalk on debut, second has since won. Away well, straight to the front in a line of four. Pushed along inside 2f, beat off the other front-runn...

Ripon 1450 EBF Fillies Novice Stakes Div II 5f, Class 5, 59.90s (slow by 1.90s) Good to Firm Capla Dancer . Apr 4, €6500 yearling out of mare who won once at Southwell. First crop sire who has now had two winners this week. Sat handy to the pace, moved up inside 2f to make her run. Battled hard to get past the leader in the final strides without being punished. Nice win. Started 66/1, Betfair SP was double, tote price less than half. Faithful Promise . Feb 18, £48k yearling out of stakes-placed Coolmore mare who peaked at OR107. Backed up after debut run at Wolverhampton 12 days earlier. Straight to the lead from the gates, without much pressure. Challenged inside 2f, fought hard but overtaken in final strides. Solid run. Flo's Melody . Feb 17, £28k yearling. Half-sister to three winners, dam had six tries at a C7 at Southwell and couldn't win off 40. Stable on fire with six 2yo winners (from 13 individual runners) already. Jumped right at the start, kicking off a chain ...

Ripon 1415 EBF Fillies Novice Stakes Div I 5f, Class 5, 1m0.05s (slow by 2.05s) Good to Firm (Good in Places) Maggies Angel. Jan 26. €36k yearling. First foal of three-time 2yo winning dam who peaked at OR 98. Jumped well, tried to take a sit but ran greenly. Pulled out into middle of track in plenty of time to make her challenge. Once Hanagan asked her to go, she kicked away, Quite impressive, still plenty to learn. Mount Victoria. Jan 21 foal, dam won at 25/1 on debut. Easy to track in running, lovely white blaze. Jumped straight to the front without much pressure. Had the others covered but winner pretty handy. Under Offer . Mar 17, 52k gns yearling (€40k foal), dam G2 winner in Argentina, half-sister to seven winners. Broke well, settled mid-pack. Gap appeared at the 2f, kept on well, but without making much ground. Not fully extended, only one tap with the whip to keep her mind on the job. Che Bella . Mar 23, £90k yearling. Started well, settled just behind the lead. Ask...

Newmarket 1610 EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes 5f, Class 4, 1m0.88s (slow by 3.28s) Good to Firm (Good in Places) Formidable Kitt - Feb 16 foal. Well-bred, out of Royal Ascot winning 2yo and half-sister also won on debut. Jumped beautifully to take early lead, always under a nice hold. Found plenty when challenged (two taps with the whip) and wasn't stopping at the line. Backed confidently and had worked very well at home. Jockey Richard Kingscote said he expected her to win by a few lengths. Only a small filly, impressive. Take Shelter - Feb 11, 21k gns yearling. Dam peaked at OR88, won three races on AW. Jumped well, sat in the breeze down middle of track. Loomed to challenge the winner but unable to get past. No shame in that, think the winner is pretty handy. Ziarah - Apr 23, €140k yearling. Dam unraced half-sister to very useful sprinter Hot Streak. Stablemate of runner-up and wore a hood. Slowly away, settled back of the pack but only 3L off the lead. Tracked stablemate i...

Newmarket 1420 EBF Novice Stakes 5f, Class 4, 59.89s (slow by 2.29s) Good to Firm Sound and Silence - Mar 29 foal. Brother to handy 2yo who won first two starts and peaked at OR100. Dam unraced half-sister to very useful G1 winner Ibn Khaldun. Bounced out of the gates, straight to the lead. Happy to let others take over 3f out so long as he had clear space ahead of him. Cruising while others were being pushed along at the 2f, urged when challenged at the furlong and found enough to win without being pushed too hard. Nice win. Never Back Down - Feb 2, £100k yearling by precocious sire. Sat back, pushed along at halfway, came down middle of track and threatened to take control at 1f before the winner reacted. Areen Faisal - Mar 29, €80k yearling, half-brother to six winners. Green early, dropped out to equal last after a furlong, ran home very nicely after penny dropped. Eye catching. The Love Doctor - had th experience of running second in the better Brocklesby division bu...

Musselburgh 4.05 EBF Stallions Conditions Stakes 5f, Class 3, 1:1.40s (slow by 3.40s) Good to Firm Excellently Poised - Jan 28 foal, by speedy Australian sire out of a mare who won twice at two and an open age Listed race at three (all at 5f). Vendor buyback at £48k. Part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. Highest winning unadjusted RPR of season so far. Settled back in the field, travelled up nicely before fully pushed out at 1.5f. Nice win but required several cracks of the whip, not a lot left on the line. Requinto Dawn - raced with a penalty after winning one of the Brocklesby divisions. Posted the highest 2yo RPR of the season so far, 85, improving from 81 at Doncaster. Began well, landed on the pace. Challenged inside 2f, couldn't go with the winner but kept on well without being fully driven out. Rockin Fella - five-day backup from Redcar. Jumped straight to the front, under pressure at 2f. Kept on at similar pace while leaders ran away, held off the rest of the field. W...

Beverley 1450 Novice Auction Stakes Div II 5f, Class 5, 1m4.21s (slow by 3.21s) Good to Firm Bengali Boys - Mar 28 foal, €11k yearling, became third winner from three foals to race for dam. drew wide, away well to sit midfield with cover in the three-wide line, a nice trail on a one-bend trip. Made his move just over a furlong out, was pushed into the middle of the track as the leader drifted left slightly but came away towards the line to record a nice win. Wahoo - Feb 18 foal, 18k gns yearling. Seventh foal of mare, career-best earnings of £7500 from all of them. Not encouraging. Wore noseroll. Started OK, urged along to take prominent position just behind the lead. A little green racing close to several horses. Got clear with a furlong to go, a few strides later than the winner and that might have cost him the race. Worked home OK to claim second. Still looked a little green, will be better for the run. Starlight Mystery - Feb 13 foal, 14k gns yearling. jumped well, sat 3wi...

Might be out of order with a few this week, but important to get them up before I get behind/they become less relevant.. Beverley 1415 Novice Auction Stakes Div I 5f, Class 5, 1m3.24s (slow by 2.24s) Good to Firm Almane - proved difficult to load then broke well to sit outside the leader. Urged along inside 2f and lengthened stride late to take control. Progressed nicely since debut run at Doncaster. Emilia James - away well, crossed straight to the rail holding the lead. Challenged inside the 2f and kept on nicely, holding the lead until final 50 yards. Nice debut from strong yard, will be better for the run. Just For The Craic - wore noseroll. Broke well, settled directly behind Emilia James on the rail. Outpaced inside 2f, kept on but never threatening the leading pair. Floss The Hoss - dwelt at the start, settled about 5L from the lead. Gradually drifted to inside rail and made some ground in last furlong, best result of those coming from behind. Mistress of Venice ...

Kempton 2.00 Sat Apr 15 EBF Novice Stakes 5f, Class 4, 1m1.74s (slow by 3.04s) Standard Plunger , Mar 31. Dam very precocious 2yo, winning four of her first six starts including a Listed and a G3 in France, peaking at OR109. Sat outside the leader after interference out of the gates. Challenged on straightening under confident ride, took control, kept on nicely. Dragon's Teeth , Apr 15. Backed up from the weaker division of the Brocklesby where he led and found nothing under pressure. Well backed into 2/1 (they bet 5/1 in the morning). Led, not a lot of peace, properly challenged on straightening, started to weakened but hung on well to retain second. Quick Skips Lad . Third start in a fortnight for this one. Sat on the rail behind the leaders, switched into the clear over a furlong out, kept working but just unable to claim second. Kodiac Express , Apr 12. Sold twice as a yearling, €64k and then 50k gns eight months later. Second foal, half-sister yet to race. The Racin...

Newcastle 2yo Friday Apr 14 1.50 Fillies' Conditions Stakes 5f, Class 2, 1m2.36s (slow by 4.36s) Standard Cheeseandpickle , Feb 11. £26k yearling. Becomes the eighth winner of 11 foals from a ten-start maiden mare. One of the oldest in this field. Smart Scottish stable with strong 2yo record, started favourite. Parked behind the leader under a nice hold. Worked around her when that horse didn't accelerate, took control 1f out and hung on to win without full exertion. Scope for more but RPR figure third-weakest of juvenile races so far. Thrifty , Feb 22. Passed in for 2800gns as a foal. Dam won her only race in her final start (20th) despite earning a cheque in eight of first nine races. Top rating of 76, but won off 45. Fourth foal to date, only winner has won three of 40 starts. Settled midfield about a length and a half behind Cheeseandpickle, went right when winner went left to find the gap, outpaced and then worked home to be beaten similar margin. Trainer has only t...

I'd actually overlooked this race in the schedule and going by the figures returned, I didn't miss much. In the interests of being thorough... Southwell 14.30 Thurs Apr 6 EBF Novice Stakes 5f, Class 5, 1:0.64s (slow by 3.14s) Standard Jasi , Apr 15. £50k yearling. Backed from 2/1 into 5/4. Jumped straight to the lead and rider always appeared confident. Urged along at the 2f, kept going but required several cracks with the whip to stick to the task. Not much left in the tank at the line. Kheleyf's Girl , Feb 9. £1k yearling, From six-start maiden mare who topped out at OR52. Jumped well, sat on pace. Urged along before the 2f, whip pulled and used several times. Gave as much as she could, beaten a head. Little upside left. Ventura Knight , Mar 22. £40k yearling (£36k foal). Slow to begin but sat on the pace until pressured at 2f, became erratic when whip pulled and dropped away to finish third. Even money favourite, pretty disappointing. Glen Valley , Jan 26. £10k...

Dundalk 2yo Wed Apr 12 EBF Maiden 5f, 1m1.95s (slow by 4.25s) Standard True Blue Moon , Feb 8. Laid in in the straight, jockey had to switch hands with the whip (only struck twice) to stop him interfering with the runner-up. Backed from 7/4 into 11/10 fav. Will be more to come from him. Dali , Jan 31. Very early colt by Scat Daddy, so you'd expect him to be ready. Jumped right at the start then wasn't so keen to settle behind others. Poised behind the speed, made his run on the inside, just not quite as strong as the winner. Drifted from 6/5 out to 7/4. From the master stable, expect more next time. In The Dip , Apr 27. Thought this one debuted OK and this time she went straight to the front. Jockey went too early at the 2f, got swamped late and finished third. Was no need to pull the whip so soon. Mister Magic , Apr 8. Jumped nicely, led on the rail. Edged left at the 2f under pressure, no acceleration, left behind by others making their run, beaten almost 10L. D...

Lingfield 2yo Tues Apr 11 Novice Median Auction Stakes 5f, Class 5, 58.87s (slow by 1.77s) Standard Corinthia Knight , Jan 26, €15k yearling. Half-brother to ten-time winner Chiswick Bey who won a Brocklesby on debut and is still winning aged nine. Flew the gates, restrained to settle behind leader, edged closer down the side, then outpaced on turn as leader kicked. Showed nice turn of foot when asked to go at the furlong, won very nicely. Drifted from 5s out to 13/2, either outshone his work at home or stable not keen to back their own. Black Orange , Apr 21. Backed up quickly after placing in one of the Brocklesbys at Doncaster and started 11/10. Started OK, urged along to hold the rail and take the lead. Kicked for home on the turn but winner far too good. Weakened sharply once passed inside the half-furlong. Think this one is fairly limited, just ready to go early and trainer will try to cash in while she can. Crownthorpe , Mar 24, passed in as a yearling (14k reserve). Da...

Windsor 2yo Mon Apr 10 EBF Novice Stakes 5f, Class 5, 1:0.79s (slow by 2.29s) Good (Good to Firm in places, Watered) Rock of Estonia , Feb 19. 90k gns yearling (68k gns foal). Dam peaked at OR of 75, didn't win until end of 3yo season, and only ever won or placed on AW. Half-brother (by Mayson) already better than that from three starts so signs are good. Jumped well, straight onto the pace under a nice hold from Spencer. Stoked up just before the 2f pole, pushed right out to win but whip wasn't pulled at any stage. Angel of the South , Mar 2, £170k yearling. Dam ran third to (Arc & King George VI winner) Danedream in Italian Oaks. Jumped OK, straight onto the rail handy to the pace. Pushed forward as they went through the crossover, and eyeballed the leader/winner at the 2f. Tried hard, whip pulled twice but unable to put nose in front. Handy run but should see more as she goes up in trip. Daddies Girl , Mar 18. £5500 yearling. Dam was terrible (peak OR of 51, nev...

And so it carries on, this one might be decent... Redcar 2yo Mon Apr 10 Class 5 Novice Stakes 5f, 58.72s (1.72s slow by RP standards) Good to Firm Inviolable Spirit , Mar 28. By flying 2yo sire Zebedee from a maiden mare, £20,000 yearling. Backed from 10/1 into 17/2. Dwelt, missed start and hustled up to stay in touch. Sat middle of the track just behind the pace. Thwarted for a run at least twice near/just inside 2f. Put them away in a couple of strides when he did get through. Not touched with the whip, quite a bit left in hand. Impressive but RPR figure not so enthusiastic. Tember , Jan 30. Sold for 16,000gns as a yearling, sire Sayif hasn't set the world on fire with his first crop, but early days. Drawn widest, sat just behind pace. Jockey got busy at the 2f pole, took a while and a few cracks of the whip to get going. Wanted to hang left causing some interference, got past the chasing pack in final strides but margin to winner a tad flattering. Started favourite, will...

Naas 2yo Sunday Apr 9 EBF Maiden 5f, 1m2.95s (slow by 5.15s on RP standards) Yielding (Soft in Places) T For Tango , Mar 2. €80k yearling. Jumped well, in touch with leaders on slow early pace. Stoked up at the 2f and full bore around 1f out. Came away from the field nicely, but runner-up would have claimed him in a couple more strides. Nice success for a small yard, trainer has never had 10 winners in a single code in one year but already has two on the Flat this season. This is his highest RPR rated Flat horse for several years. Guessthebill , Mar 17. First foal of a Class 5 winning dam, by a first- (and only-) season sire, but well related. A little slow to begin but moved up to sit on the pace. Niggled at the 2f and was the only horse capable of going with T For Tango when he kicked away. Stuck on well and would have won in a couple more strides. Impressive run, more to come from this one. Sioux Nation , Jan 25. Jumped smartly to position on the (slow) pace. Challenged by ...

Wolverhampton 2yo Sat Apr 8 EBF Fillies Novice Stakes 5f, Standard, 1m2.18s (slow by 2.38s on RP standard) Get Even , May 16 foal. Followed on from debut second in France with a victory. Jumped nicely, eased across from middle barrier to take lead by the bend but soon handed up to Auntie Pam. Comfortable sitting behind the pace then pushed through as leader drifted off the fence. Ran on under hard riding, nice win but not much left in the tank. Auntie Pam , Mar 31. £30k. Hunted up out of the gates to work across from wide gate to sit outside the leader, then cross halfway around the bend. Never had time for a breather, kept working at the top of the straight, good enough to beat all but the winner. Decent debut, half-brother was stakes-placed at second start and finished three-race career with RPR of 99. Other half-brother was too slow to pull a milk cart. One hopes her career follows the former rather than the latter. Aquadabra , May 10. 18k gns. Jumped cleanly, sat midfield...

Dundalk 2yo Fri Apr 7 17.55 EBF Median Auction Stakes 5f Standard, 1m1.93s, (slow by 4.23s on RP standard) Sirici , Feb 1. Backed up quickly after close second seven days earlier here, once again drew the outside gate. Sat three wide, not a big concern on a one-bend trip. Jockey timed his run better this week, not saying go until the furlong pole and kicked away nicely to win. Given same RPR figure of 79. Spirit Power , Mar 05. Big, rangy colt by Swiss Spirit, looked a bit new to it all. Dropped in sale price from foal to yearling, rarely a good sign. Jumped well, sat just behind Sirici, outpaced on the turn but kept on well when urged along. Ran through the line nicely. Might have been reluctant to challenge or run past the leader - keep an eye out for blinkers. Pak Army , Apr 4. Significant upgrade in jockey from Ronan Whelan to Declan McDonogh and the addition of pacifiers since beaten a long way on debut at Naas on rain-affected track. Dwelt slightly, fell out the back o...

Leicester 2.00 Friday April 7 Granby Novice Stakes 5f, 1m0.55s (slow by 1.65s by RP standards) Good (Good to Soft in Places) Kick On Kick On , Mar 14 foal, £52k yearling, most expensive of the field. First starter for new sire Swiss Spirit. Missed start a half length. Hustled forward to take early lead. Jockey always looked to something up his sleeve, sitting comfortably when others came under pressure. Ran away from them in closing stages, probably more from others tiring than any great burst of speed. RPR of 82 is best of the season so far. Zain Flash , Mar 15, £32k yearling from final crop of Royal Applause. Yet another second for handy juvenile trainer David Evans (trained both Brocklesby runners-up). Pinged the gates, went straight to the rail and contested the lead with eventual winner. Unable to go with the winner when the questions were asked but despite being passed by Airshow with a furlong to go, he stayed on OK, reclaiming second close to the line. Started favourit...

Dundalk 6.00 Friday Mar 31 EBF Fillies Maiden 5f, 1m1.55s (slow by 3.85s on RP standards) Standard AW Fille du Septembre , foaled Apr 10. Fifth winner from six foals for the dam, and cost €130k at the sales, considerably more than the rest of the field put together. Dwelt at the start slightly and was then bumped around in the early stages. Handled that well, settling in the middle of a tight bunch without over-racing. Wore the seemingly common Weld stable noseroll, and came through traffic to win in a tight finish. Think the strength of Smullen made the difference in the closing stages, over the claiming apprentices aboard the placegetters. Handy win as rated with a RPR of 80. Started favourite, stable obviously recognised some ability. Sirici , foaled Feb 1. First foal of a debut 2yo winner who started favourite in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot but never bettered her debut win. Drawn widest of the field but not a big disadvantage given this trip has a single right-angle turn, a...

With the Grand National meeting underway, not all eyes are on the eponymous Saturday feature just yet. Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke , drops in to preview the Melling Chase. --------------------------- JLT Melling Chase G1 £200,000 about 2m4f Aintree, 1525 local 0025 AEST ODDS LISTED WERE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING 1 Fox Norton (3/1): G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase runner-up to Special Tiara over the 2m last time when he just missed. Finished 3rd to Douvan in the 2m G1 Arkle and Maghull last year. G2 Shloer winner three back and then well beaten by Altior at Newbury but beat the rest easily. Steps out to 2 and a half miles today will suit and one to beat with 3/1 top odds. 2 God’s Own (7/2): Won this last year and then won G1 Punchestown Champion Chase beating Vautour, who fell in this race, both times. Hasn’t been as good this season yet with best run a game third in G1 Tingle Creek behind Un de Sceaux and Sire de Grugy. Weakened in Champion Chase last time. To...

Doncaster 4.45 Sat Apr 1 Brocklesby Stakes, Div II, Class 4 5f 1m1.31s (slow by 3.41s on RP standards) Good to Soft. Requinto Dawn , Apr 19 foal. Started well, parked behind the leaders until halfway. Angled into the clear as leaders faded and kicked away for an impressive win. Ran fastest sectionals for each of the last three furlongs. Should be more to come. The Love Doctor , Mar 11. From the final crop of the now-deceased Elnadim. A little wayward getting bumped around in the pack and never really settled. Being pushed along from the 3f, much earlier than third and fourth but stuck on well to claim second near the line. Backed from 15/2 into 9/2, stable obviously think plenty of him. Will be better if able to settle. Black Orange Apr 21. Unwanted at the sales, already with cheekpieces and a 7lb claimer. Jumped well, sat up on the pace and fought on well at the finish. Winner looks smart and was only just edged out of second near the line. Can't see him going to Royal ...

Continuing on with the 2yo reviews... Doncaster 4.10 Sat Apr 1 Brocklesby Stakes Div I, Class 4 5f 1m1.09s (slow by 3.19s on RP standards) Good to Soft. I didn't realise this race was worth so little in prizemoney until Doncaster officials said they'd like to put some more money into it in future to raise it above the £10k threshold for dividing a race. Last year's winner The Last Lion continued throughout the season, closed with a win in the G1 Middle Park Stakes rating 116, and is now making €12k a shot a stud. Ravenhoe won in 2015, peaked at 87 as a juvenile and now runs on the AW rated 70. Cock of the North peaked at 102 and hasn't raced (in the UK) since his debut year. 2013 winner Mick's Yer Man now runs under the name Always Win in Hong Kong. He peaked at 107 as a 2yo. With such a relatively small purse, there's no huge incentive to run early. Don't be surprised if several of these are still maidens when they turn three. Santry , a Feb 5 foal ...

The Flat season starts in the UK on Saturday with the traditional Doncaster meeting. Many highlights on the card including the Brocklesby for 2yos, the Spring Mile and of course the Lincoln Handicap. But the stakes feature of the day is the Doncaster Mile, not to be confused with the $3m handicap from Randwick! Taking the reins for this race is recent addition to the blog, Alex Peperell, @Al_Peps . -------------------- Betway Doncaster Mile Stakes Listed, £37,000, One Mile Doncaster Saturday, 1500 BST, 0100 AEDT It’s that time of the year again, the flat is well and truly back. We have a great card at Doncaster with the Lincoln being the highlight and also some decent all weather action at Kempton. The Doncaster Mile looks like it could be a cracker with a stellar line-up. John Gosden is double-handed here with Castle Harbour and Crazy Horse . Frankie Dettori has chosen to ride the latter so you would think he is the more forward of the two. He is a very lightly raced four-...