13:50 Doncaster

Leg 1 Selections: Tipperary Tiger, Stone Of Destiny 

A wide-open apprentice handicap to start proceedings but TIPPERARY TIGER has performed well in defeat since winning at Hamilton and would have finished a lot closer with a clear run when sixth of 17 at Haydock last time off a pound higher mark. He won over course-and-distance on his debut and is drawn well in stall ten to track the pace. He has an excellent chance. 

STONE OF DESTINY is better suited to large-field events and was unlucky not to go close when fourth on his penultimate start off a four-pounds higher mark. Andrew Balding’s charge needs a lot of luck in-running, but it’s only a matter of time before everything falls into place and, with Harry Davies back in the saddle, the seven-year-old could finally be about to get his head in front. 

14:25 Doncaster

Leg 2 Selections: Indian Dream, Hour By Hour

Michael Bell’s INDIAN DREAM has a solid-looking profile going into this race and having opened his account at Epsom back in July, he’s been narrowly denied in both his two starts since, including at York last time, where he would have won with a clear passage. Although he’s gone up five-pounds, he is on an upward trajectory at the moment and must surely be thereabouts with Ryan Moore booked to ride. 

Iain Jardine sends just the one runner to the course in the shape of HOUR BY HOUR, who got off the mark at Hamilton last time and sneaks into this race off a low-weight. He shouldn’t have any problem returning to seven-furlongs and is effectively drawn well in stall nine, which should allow him to go forward and grab the stands’ side rail. If doing so, he could be tough to overhaul here with improvement forthcoming. 

15:00 Doncaster

Leg 3 Selections: Codify, Ebury

An ultra-competitive renewal of the Leger Legends race and I like the claims of the Clive Cox-trained CODIFY, who only just failed to score for the first time when third in a three-way finish at Salisbury three weeks ago. Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning-jockey Sam Thomas gets the ride, which is interesting, and given how good he was as a jockey, let alone a trainer nowadays, he should get a good spin out of this progressive three-year-old in leg three. 

EBURY hasn’t really kicked on from his eye-catching course-and-distance reappearance when fourth of 13 when rated higher, but he’s still been super solid in defeat since and connections have booked the services of last year’s winning rider, Gary Bardwell. Trainer Scott Dixon has his string in fine kettle at the moment, so from a likeable draw in stall 11, this capable six-year-old is a major player in this easier race than when last spotted on the turf at York. 

15:35 Doncaster

Leg 4 Selections: Novemba

This Group Three contest has a really open feel about it and this is an excellent opportunity for the German raider NOVEMBA to get a win under her belt in the UK. This filly has been dining at the top table for the last year now and following a creditable fourth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes last year at Royal Ascot, she’s made the frame in three Group events since, including when making a bold bid from the front at this level last time back at Ascot to finish third. 

With this course likely to play more to her strengths than Ascot, given her front-running style of racing, last year’s German Guineas winner has outstanding claims here against rivals who need a lot more to beat her on these terms. Furthermore, she’s the clear highest rated runner in the field at 110, so I am really surprised she isn’t trading a strong favourite in leg four. She’s the best bet of the day in my view. 

16:10 Doncaster

Leg 5 Selections: Equilateral 

Charlie Hills’ smart sprinter EQUILATERAL had excuses last time at Goodwood from a poor draw and is better judged on his previous form, which includes a close-up third in a Group Two at Curragh and her second and fifth in the last two editions of the Group 1 King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, which is the best form on offer. He was unlucky not to win a Group Three at Sandown and will appreciate this significant ease in grade here. 

He is without a doubt the best horse in the race and should be able to slot into a decent position behind the pacesetters. He won this race back in 2019 as a four-year-old, which was in fact the last time he ran at this course, and he won’t mind a touch of rain either. With a good pace sure to be in order, with Mo Celita and King Of Stars expected to go forward, this really is a perfect set-up for this talented sprinter to showcase his ability and beat these. 

16:45 Doncaster

Leg 6 Selections: Harlem Nights 

I’ll take a chance on an outsider, HARLEM NIGHTS, who shaped well on debut when fifth and his next start can be ignored as he did too much too soon. However, he caught the eye when staying on strongly to take fifth behind an odds-on favourite at Ayr last time and should be well-suited to the extra furlong in this race. 

I’m convinced we haven’t seen the best of James Horton’s youngster, who’s bred to be decent and his trainer has had a really good season too, which is always a good sign. With plenty of improvement to come, and this course sure to see him in a better light, he could well be up to winning a race of this nature at large odds.