Fran Berry guides us through some exciting rides at Doncaster this afternoon and he also provides his Racing Post Trophy views.
I've a busy day at Doncaster today thank goodness with a couple of nice rides to look ahead to.
I start off on Sageness (in the Racing Post Trophy Betting At 188Bet EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes) and I wouldn't be surprised to see her step up on the form of her debut as Ed Dunlop's horses tend to improve for a run.
She was pretty slowly away first time out and the bend at Nottingham comes up pretty quickly which isn't ideal for a green filly, but she wasn't without support that day and is closely related to a few winners so could be one for the future, if not today.
I'm looking forward to getting back on Shanghai Glory (in the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap) for the first time since the Stewards' Cup. He ran well when a shade unlucky at Goodwood and then ran a strong race in the Great St Wilfrid.
I'd be inclined to put a line through his last run as it was just too bad to be true; I haven't spoken to connections yet but he'd been trained for the Ayr Gold Cup so was perhaps eventually a little bit flat in the rearranged race at Haydock, but although he's won with cut in the ground, the heavy there would have been too much for him, especially if it was loose.
The ground today should be great, it's a lovely, track, and he's due a turn but this is a very competitive race and he could be taking on the same horses in a much more valuable contest.
Golden Birthday won nicely for me at Kempton in his first handicap; we had been worried whether 12 furlongs would be too sharp for him but he won well. He steps up to 14 furlongs (in the Free Bets At 188Bet Casino Handicap) and we hope that should suit. I think he'll enjoy the track and the ground should be ideal. You'd have to respect the three-year-olds with the weight-for-age but I'm very happy with my horse.
Canberra Cliffs has done well this year and hopefully that can continue. I rode her at York in May and I really liked her that day. She travelled well into contention but didn't quite see it out on the ground which was softer than advertised. She's done well since and has won her last two so is clearly progressive.
This (ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Handicap) is competitive but she goes there in top form and you'd have to think she'd have a live chance.
There are some tight handicaps on the card but I wouldn't want to swap any of mine really and hopefully we'll have a bit of luck along the way.
It's all about the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday and John Gosden has seemingly got his way and runs Roaring Lion here rather than at the Breeders' Cup.
He was still green but quite impressive when beating Nelson and is a fascinating runner in an interesting race. We've got Jim Bolger's best two-year-old and winner of the National Stakes, Verbal Dexterity, in against what is perceived to be Aidan O'Brien's big middle-distance horse next year, Saxon Warrior, and there's Loxley for Godolphin and you can never count out a Charlie Appleby juvenile.
It's a good field and will give plenty of clues for next season.
I'll be riding at Newbury where I've got two rides for David Evans. It may not be the busiest day, it's that time of year, but at least I'm close to home!
Sea Fox is back up in trip in the Worthington's Alzheimer's Society Handicap after running well over seven furlongs at Ascot. He stayed on well there to finish a close third in a competitive handicap and that was a return to form for him.
He was somewhere near his best so I'd have to be hopeful of a good showing. He's back on a workable mark, versatile over the trip and 10 furlongs on nice ground should be fine this weekend.
My other ride is Pastamakesufaster and I'm a big fan of pasta when the weight allows but I'm nor sure it makes me any faster!
The ground was quite testing at Goodwood but she used her experience to win a valuable race. She went to Deauville the last day and wasn't so good. She has to step up on that form (in the Bathwick Tyres Stakes) and prove her ability to handle the ease underfoot.
