Danny Tudhope could be the jockey to follow in the first two races at Doncaster on Friday when he rides both SOLAR GOLD and Theglasgowwarrior for the first time.
The talented pilot has struck up a successful relationship with trainer William Haggas who will be hoping that Solar Gold finds the right combination of course and distance in the seven-furlong Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes.
This filly is becoming one of my 'follow-over-a-cliff' horses but she looks worth another chance after a fine second to Vale Of Kent in the Bunbury Cup (raced apart from the winner), a desperate draw in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood and, most recently, a flawed attempt at a mile at Sandown where she was ridden more aggressively than usual and didn't quite last home against three progressive three-year-olds.
While a strong stayer at seven furlongs, it looks like Solar Gold may not necessarily need a mile after all, though more patient tactics over the trip could prove otherwise and her pedigree is a confusion as she is by Sea The Stars out of the smart sprinter Jessica's Dream.
Anyway, with the excellent Tudhope aboard, she is worth another chance at double-figure odds.
Haggas also runs the useful Pretty Baby who had a similarly bad draw at Goodwood having earlier been a bit disappointing at Royal Ascot. She has a penalty here but Ryan Moore is booked.
The unknown quantity in the field has to be Farzeen, an impressive winner at Redcar and Kempton who now takes a big step up in class.
THEGLASGOWWARRIOR ran one of his best races when a narrowly beaten third behind Just In Time and the very useful Austrian School in last year's William Hill Mallard Handicap and, off just a 2lb higher mark, looks an interesting contender.
Jim Goldie's stayer has been running well for most of the season but doesn't want it any softer than good to soft and was clearly below par on the heavy at Hamilton last time.
Theglasgowwarrior is better judged on an earlier fifth in the Northumberland Plate and his second to Eddystone Rock at the Shergar Cup meeting. The winner at Ascot has gone in again since at York where he finished well in front of Sleeping Lion, Charles Kingsley and Bartholomeu Dias who feature here.
Apart from Tudhope being given the leg up and the return to Doncaster, the selection should also benefit from what looks likely to be a decent gallop, and appears better value than the top-weighted favourite Saroog who has gone up 11lb for his last two wins at Ascot and Newmarket.
Posted at 1632 BST on 12/09/19.
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