Pepsi Max Scarbrough Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 1.9100000000000001s

(3)

Final Venture^h¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P T Midgley| OR: 109| D

6/4

Enjoyed a productive year, winning twice over 6f on turf at Meydan, and also landing 5f Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock in June. Stable doubly represented, but must take all of the beating. 1L runner up to Take Cover in the Beverley Bullet latest.

Form: 952772

(5)

Desert Law¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 100| CD

6/1

C&D winner in August, who also finished eighth of ten to Cotai Glory in this race in 2015. Followed up that August success at York (5f+ good to soft), but seemingly held by stablemate Final Venture on their clash in the Beverley Bullet (sixth).

Form: 805116

(4)

Encore d'Or²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 104| D

13/2

A six-time winner on synthetics (13 starts), but a ten race maiden on turf. This race represents his first visit to Doncaster, and whilst not beaten too far in the 5f Listed City Wall Stakes at York in July, must reverse placings with Final Venture.

Form: 381737

(1)

Go On Go On Go On¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| D

11/1

In fine fettle last summer notching a quickfire 5f fast ground hat-trick. However, not able to cope with Listed contests this term and finished last of ten in the Beverley Bulllet latest, so plenty of improvement required at these weights.

Form: 1117-00

(6)

Thesme²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: N Tinkler| OR: 100| D

9/4

Beaten ¾L by Priceless in this contest in 2016, and has most likely been brought back from a short break with this race in mind. Should be sharper for her recent third to Desert Law at York, and no surprise to see her keeping on more strongly.

Form: 52-0033

(2)

Razzmatazz⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S Hitchcott| T: C G Cox| OR: 74

33/1

Shock 50/1 winner of a 6f Kempton maiden on her third start last week, and connections are lured into trying Listed level in pursuit of placed prize money. Should be fine over this 5f trip, but will need to be on her toes to keep up with Thesme.

Form: 351

Forecasts

Final Venture (6/4), Thesme (9/4), Desert Law (6/1), Encore d'Or (13/2), Go On Go On Go On (11/1), Razzmatazz (33/1)

2016 runner up Thesme appears the likely pace angle in this Listed contest, and with a recent run at York under her belt, it would be no surprise to see her last longer on the front end and reverse placings with conqueror Desert Law. However, the chief threat comes from another Paul Midgley trained runner in the shape of FINAL VENTURE. This Equiano gelding has enjoyed a most productive 2017, and holds plenty of today's rivals on the evidence of his recent second to Take Cover in the Beverley Bullet.