Owner Philippa Cooper looked at me with utter disdain when I recently suggested her Sweet William might be one for the November Handicap at Doncaster.
It’s easy to understand why she felt that way, though, with connections clearly believing the four-year-old is ‘better than a handicapper’ and thrusting the Ebor runner-up into today’s Group 2 Betfred Doncaster Cup.
Coltrane favored to win Defending Champion
Defending champion COLTRANE (3.00) under Oisin Murphy has to be the solid selection after a fine success at York last time.
The favourite has plenty of form with give in the ground and has been consistent all season including when second in the Ascot Gold Cup and third in the Goodwood Cup.
Trueshan would be a big danger at his best but he has flopped a few too many times recently and Coltrane goes with juice just as well as Alan King’s big gun.
If successful, Coltrane will join the likes of Double Trigger and Stradivarius in winning this race at least twice.
WAR ROOMS expected to dominate Listed Flying Scotsman
ITV coverage at Doncaster starts with the Listed Flying Scotsman for two-year-old over seven furlongs.
The form of many of these is very much up and down but I expect there is much more to come from the well-named Churchill colt WAR ROOMS (1.50).
Owen Burrows’ runner is proven with give in the ground and looked a very strong stayer on debut.
Richard Kingscote takes over from Jim Crowley this afternoon and I liked the way the he stayed on nicely when winning first time up on Town Moor in July.
He should be able to build on that and can see off Kingdom Of Riches and Warm Spell.
Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers: who will come out on top?
The Group 2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers is also for two-year-olds but this time over five furlongs. It’s probably a good race!
Big Evs won on soft at Goodwood before a serious flop in the Group 1 Nunthorpe.
Back down in grade and returning against his own age group he could easily bounce back to winning ways.
However, I’ll have a few quid each-way on VALIANT FORCE (2.25) for Adrian Murray and Rossa Ryan, who rides for Amo Racing now Kevin Stott has been ditched.
Ryan was on board the shock Norfolk Stakes winner at Royal Ascot but not when my selection was behind Vandeek in the Morny.
That effort was not too bad and was on very soft ground suggesting today’s surface should not be a bother. He might surprise a few.
THE GOAT is the one to watch in the last race
The last race on ITV is a decent handicap over an extended mile and six furlongs.
This could get tactical but THE GOAT (3.35) can front run or go close to the pace so should be hard to beat for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy.
The lightly-raced improver was an easy 12-length winner on soft ground at Goodwood before a fair effort in the Melrose behind St Leger hope Middle Earth.
The Goat may not be the greatest of all time but he should be good enough to win this afternoon with Real Dream looking the most likely to chase him home.
