13:15 Doncaster

Leg 1 Selections: Alpha Capture, Strong Johnson

ALPHA CAPTURE hasn’t been at his best of late but this represents a drop in class and the removal of all headgear from his reduced mark should see a positive outcome. He is too well-handicapped at present and his best form would entitle to land the opener. STRONG JOHNSON has been in great form of late, winning on his penultimate start at Redcar before going down narrowly at Ripon when last spotted. He remains on the same mark for this race and another bold showing seems likely. 

13:50 Doncaster

Leg 2 Selections: Chinese Knot, Jumeirah Breeze

CHINESE KNOT has been in terrific form this summer in which she won two on the spin before finishing a fair third at Windsor last time, doing best of those who were held up. She looks competitive on form and could feature under the guidance of Oisin Murphy. JUMEIRAH BREEZE has finished second in two of her four starts and could also get involved having caught the eye with a strong burst of speed to only find one too good last time. 

14:25 Doncaster

Leg 3 Selections: Komat, Johannes Brahms

KOMAT has gotten going far too late in her last couple of starts but she’s had excuses in each of those, and she is drawn well here. She should get a nice pace to aim at and her form is solid in the context of this. She’s rated only 3Ib lower than the two market leaders but gets weight from them and the remainder. JOHANNES BRAHMS won on debut before finishing second in the Windsor Castle and then second in the Group 2 Gimcrack at York. With a shed load of improvement to come, he can make it third time lucky in Britain. 

15:00 Doncaster

Leg 4 Selections: Darnation

The May Hill can go to Karl Burke’s DARNATION who has returned an impressive winner of her last couple of starts and beat some very nice prospects in a Group 3 last-time-out. The soft ground will suit and the step up in trip is favourable. She is the highest-rated of these and her trainer has an excellent record in the race, so with progress to come plus the strongest form in the field, she can put her vital experience to good use and land the hat-trick of wins. 

15:35 Doncaster

Leg 5 Selections: Lmay, Golden Lyra 

LMAY could be an outsider to consider, who has been highly tried by connections, and wasn’t beaten far in a Listed race last-time-out. She could improve for the combination of the step up in trip and softer ground. I am surprised she hasn’t been seen in handicap company yet given she’s only rated 93 but must be showing the right signs at home to be continuously tried in pattern-class events. She is of interest despite being the biggest price runner of the party, while GOLDEN LYRA will appreciate conditions plus the step up in trip, so she is on the shortlist. 

16:10 Doncaster

Leg 6 Selections: If Not Now

The Ralph Beckett-trained IF NOT NOW bolted up by seven lengths in a handicap at Salisbury in May and didn’t discredit himself when stepped up to Group 1 company to contest the German Derby last time when fifth. The trip seemingly stretched his stamina that day, so the drop in trip here will see him in better light and he is fancied to continue his progress by defying top-weight back in handicap company with improvement to come.