15:35 Doncaster

Friday 15 September 2017

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:10

Doncaster Cup (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 51.88s

(9)

Montaly²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 113

15/2

Really beginning to prosper as a stayer and won the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York when last seen in August. Has won on soft ground and should make a very good fist of trying to defy a penalty and go in again here.

Form: 200-121

(3)

Clever Cookie^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: P D Niven| OR: 106| C| D

33/1

Won his maiden here on soft ground. Just about stays this far, though arguably better at up to 2m and also at York. Not quite the force of old and looks to have each-way claims at best on recent evidence.

Form: 7-69936

(2)

Fun Mac^b,t⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: H Morrison| OR: 103

22/1

Stays 2m4f and acts with cut underfoot. Last seen when winning a Listed contest (1m7½f, good to soft) in France in July. Gave 3lb to Montaly and was beaten 1L by him in the Chester Cup in May, so if back in that form he looks decent each-way value.

Form: 03-3541

(8)

High Jinx²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 109| C

20/1

Was 3½L adrift of Montaly in the Lonsdale Cup off level weights, so has a decent chance of reducing that margin on today's terms. Would have to be right back to his best to be capable of winning this, but is an each-way player.

Form: 24/3505

(4)

Pallasator^p1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Rosie Jessop| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 109| CD

16/1

Won this in 2015 on good ground and although he has won on heavy, the majority of his best form is on a sound/fast surface. Hasn't yet fired in 2017, but cheekpieces now fitted and it would be foolish to write him off just yet.

Form: 228-566

(7)

Sheikhzayedroad^h²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: M Harley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 114| CD

5/1

Acts on soft, though he is another who would ideally like it to dry out a bit before the off. Won this last year and bettered that at Ascot next time. No win this term but 2½L behind Montaly last time and certainly not ruled out with a 3lb pull.

Form: 1-33674

(5)

Thomas Hobson²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 110| C

4/1

Came from the clouds to win the Ascot Stakes (2m4f, good to firm) this season and only just beaten in the Queen Alexandra four days later. Stamina beyond question, but has 5L to find with Montaly from York last time and that's a fair gap to bridge.

Form: 211/127

(1)

She Is No Lady⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: R M Beckett| OR: 110

7/1

Acts on soft ground and won in Listed company in France last season. Stays 2m and no disgrace in her 6½L Group 1 Gold Cup defeat to Big Orange at 50-1. Couldn't improve on that last time, but she might have an each-way shout if at her best.

Form: 201-345

(6)

Desert Skyline^p²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 110

2/1

Ahead of a few of these when third in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (2m, good) last month and probably bettered that in a French Group 2 last time. Yet to race on soft ground (has won on good to soft) but gets plenty of weight and looks a threat to all.

Form: 236232

Forecasts

Desert Skyline (2/1), Thomas Hobson (4/1), Sheikhzayedroad (5/1), She Is No Lady (7/1), Montaly (15/2), Pallasator (16/1), High Jinx (20/1), Fun Mac (22/1), Clever Cookie (33/1)

Desert Skyline is knocking on the door in these races and it would be no surprise to see him finally bag one in receipt of plenty of weight. Even so, MONTALY is thriving over these extreme distances and, having beaten a few of these at York last time, he looks capable of defying a penalty to do so again. A return to form for Pallasator would not surprise, while last year's winner Sheikhzayedroad and Royal Ascot hero Thomas Hobson have been more consistent this term and could have the edge over him. Fun Mac looks like a bit of each-way value at longer odds.