13:00 Doncaster

Leg 1 Selections: Cottam Lane, Triggered

Nigel Tinkler’s COTTAM LANE hasn’t competed in this grade since bolting up off a pound higher mark at Pontefract last year, in which he took his record to two wins and a second from three in class five events. He’s been running well without threatening off higher marks since and, with the combination of a seven-pound claimer off an exploitable mark to deal with, he should be thereabouts to at least hit the frame.

TRIGGERED is also rarely seen in this grade and he’s ran well twice here in the past off marks of 86 and 89 in better events. He couldn’t figure at Leicester last time, but he’s dipped below his last winning mark and his trainer has booked James Doyle to ride, which is a positive sign. If he can keep himself interested when the race starts to develop, this six-year-old has the ability to play a leading role in this weak contest.

13:35 Doncaster

Leg 2 Selections: Courageous Knight

In leg two, it’s hard to see past the Charlie Appleby-trained COURAGEOUS KNIGHT, who came very close to scoring at the second time of asking last time, where he was only beaten a short-head by One World. The latter didn’t really advertise the form at Royal Ascot when down the field in the Chesham, but this son of Dubawi would have won on debut in another stride and should benefit from todays extra furlong. 

While I acknowledge that he’s returned a beaten favourite in both events to date, he’s shaped with promise each time and will face nothing in the same calibre of the winner last time unless one of the newcomers turn out to be above-average. James Doyle will partner him this time round and his mount should prove hard to beat for connections who can do little wrong at present. 

14:10 Doncaster

Leg 3 Selections: Thrave, Rum Runner

This is wide-open but perhaps THRAVE will go well off his much-reduced mark for the Mick Appleby team. The seven-year-old has never run a bad race at this course and wasn’t beaten far here the last two times when a midfield  sixth. He does, however, remain eight-pounds above his last winning mark but he should be finishing his race off to good effect in the closing stages and that could be enough to see him in the top three. He is one of two suggestions.

The other one is RUM RUNNER, who went close over course-and-distance three runs back and could be about to strike at any point off his current mark. He’s another who is seemingly well-suited to this venue having placed on his last three visits here off higher marks and is three-pounds lower than his latest second at this course too. If they go a good gallop, which is expected, he should get himself into the picture for leg three.

14:45 Doncaster

Leg 4 Selections: Maytree Respite

Just the five runners go to post for leg four, but it could prove to be informative, and a chance is taken on MAYTREE RESPITE, who has the potential rank higher for William Muir. He couldn’t land a telling blow when sixth or 13 on debut at Wolverhampton but put that experience to good use when improving to score nicely back there three weeks later, seeing off a rival who’s now rated 91. 

He was then requested to tackle a large-field novice event over course-and-distance and ran a big race off top-weight to finish fourth of 20, only weakening in the closing stages. His performance can be markedly uplifted as he did well to finish where he did from the box seat in stall 1. This race is no doubt a stiffer task but he could get his own way in front if Danny sends him forward and his handicap debut mark of 83 could underestimate his credentials. 

15:20 Doncaster

Leg 5 Selections: Star Fortress, Croachill

With only four runners for the penultimate leg on today’s placepot, it means it’s win only instead of a top two finish which would have been preferred. That said, I would like to think we have the winner with one of these two choices. Firstly, STAR FORTRESS, who is bred to be high-class and ran a very solid race behind Special Envoy on debut, who had the benefit of experience that day. With that outing under her belt, Ralph Beckett’s filly could be capable of going one better in this race.

I’ll also cover with CROACHILL, from the Roger Varian team, who also filled the runner-up spot on debut behind Queen Of The Skies and should derive for the switch to the turf. In behind her that day, she had the 92-rated White Moonlight and while that rival was disappointing in the Kensington at Royal Ascot when well-fancied, this filly looks a key player in this intriguing event. The other two cannot be dismissed either but hopefully we are on the right pair. 

15:55 Doncaster

Leg 6 Selections: Nova Legend

James Ferguson’s NOVA LEGEND is faced with top-weight in this staying contest but brings the best form-lines into the race, courtesy of his second to Salvator Mundi, who boosted the form by winning a good-quality handicap at Doncaster next time. This son of Galileo has been crying out for a step up in trip on the evidence of his efforts to date and this mark shouldn’t prove to be his limit either. 

With the possibility he’ll relish this distance, he could take some stopping in his bid for a first success. Sir Michael Stoute’s Havaila and Ian Williams’ Buxted Reel are the main dangers on the back of good second place efforts but the former is fancied to continue his upward curve of form and go close to winning in leg six.