15:15 Doncaster

Friday 11 September 2020

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:15

bet365 Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 3m 55.84s

(6)

Red Verdon^b¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 105| C

11/1

Smart sort who looked as good as ever when winning 4-runner Group 2 (13.9f) at Longchamp. Not disgraced under a penalty in similar event at Deauville 2 weeks ago. Penalised again but goes well here.

Form: 08-4114

(4)

Eagles By Day²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 111

9/2

Got career well and truly back on track when making winning start for David O'Meara in 1¾m Group 3 at York. Fared as well as could be expected in Goodwood/Lonsdale Cup since and this easier.

Form: 38-9145

(5)

Island Brave²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: M Dwyer| T: H Main| OR: 98

40/1

Back to best when defying big odds in Ascot handicap (2m) last month and not disgraced in the Ebor at York since. Fair bit to find with some of these, however.

Form: 353810

(3)

Selino^v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 102

12/1

Back-to-back winner in visor last autumn and good efforts in defeat this season, though was no match for Spanish Mission in listed race (10/1) at Chester (14.4f, good to soft) 22 days ago.

Form: 311-282

(2)

Spanish Mission²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 110

6/4

Smart performer who was better than ever when second in 2m Sandown Group 3 and made most of good opportunity in listed race at Chester on debut for this yard 3 weeks ago. Just about sets the standard.

Form: 31-6261

(7)

The Grand Visir^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 106| C

10/1

Smart stayer who won the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, and only just denied in Queen Alexandra (21.6f) at this year's meeting on return. Good fourth under top weight at Goodwood since.

Form: 7170-24

(1)

Revolver²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 98| C

3/1

Highly-progressive 3-y-o who's won all 6 starts in handicaps this summer, relishing longer trip at Pontefract (17f) last time. Tackling a different level of opposition now but could well be up to it.

Form: 111111

Forecasts

Spanish Mission (6/4), Revolver (3/1), Eagles By Day (9/2), The Grand Visir (10/1), Red Verdon (11/1), Selino (12/1), Island Brave (40/1)

Far from the strongest of renewals so it could well be within the reach of REVOLVER, who is the most progressive horse of 2020 with 6 handicap wins, and Sir Mark Prescott won this in 2001 with a 3-y-o who had a similar profile. Spanish Mission made a positive start for this yard when easily beating Selino at Chester and rates the main threat, while the penalised Red Verdon has a good record here.