15:00 Doncaster

Friday 12 September 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:4016:1016:4517:20

Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 52.24s

(3)

Coltrane^p⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 112| CD

14/1

Smart stayer who ended a losing run in 4-runner listed race at Sandown (2m, good to firm) in July, just holding on. Also came in a solid fourth in this 12 months ago so he can't be ruled out.

Form: 43-2251

(2)

Hipop De Loire²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: W P Mullins| OR: 105

9/1

Has quickly made into a smart performer for his current yard, scoring at 22f over hurdles before a good sixth of 22 in Ebor at York (13.8f, good to firm) 20 days ago. One to consider with this step up in trip a likely plus.

Form: 347/5-46

(7)

Kyle Of Lochalsh^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 105

18/1

Very useful stayer who resumed winning ways in fine style in 2m4f handicap at Goodwood 42 days ago, pulling well clear last 1f. This is a big step up but he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 3433-61

(8)

Sunway^b,t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 113

6/1

Smart performer but winless since 2023. Posted a good fourth in Goodwood Cup in July and not disgraced back in trip when fifth in Grand Prix de Deauville at Deauville (1m4f) 13 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 0-35445

(5)

Sweet William^v²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| CD

10/11

Very smart stayer who has his quirks but usually runs well, third in Goodwood Cup then runner-up (to stablemate Trawlerman) in Lonsdale Cup at York on his last two outings. Last year's winner (good record here) and expected to be bang there.

Form: 12-3432

(6)

Tashkhan^v⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: B Ellison| OR: 105

66/1

Useful gelding but he looked rusty after 10 months off when a well-beaten sixth of 12 to Kyle of Lochalsh in handicap at Goodwood (2m4f) 42 days ago. Should strip sharper now but this is no easy ask.

Form: 05930-6

(1)

Oxford Comma⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 101| C| D

33/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o scored three times in 2024, including here, and she resumed from 9 months off with a good third of 12 to Kyle of Lochalsh in handicap at Goodwood (2m4f) 42 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 11719-3

(4)

Pendragon⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 97| BF| C

9/2

Thriving in handicaps this season and he readily landed a hat-trick at Sandown (14f) before taking his form up another notch when an excellent second there (14f) later in July. This demands a clear personal best but he has his first go over 2m here and is the type to go on improving.

Form: 68-1112

Forecasts

Sweet William (10/11), Pendragon (9/2), Sunway (6/1), Hipop De Loire (9/1), Coltrane (14/1), Kyle Of Lochalsh (18/1), Oxford Comma (33/1), Tashkhan (66/1)

SWEET WILLIAM found only Trawlerman too strong in York's Lonsdale Cup last time and, with his stablemate absent here, is fancied to repeat his success in this event 12 months ago. Willie Mullins' Ebor sixth Hipop de Loire could emerge as the main danger with this return to 2m a positive, although in-form trio Sunway, Coltrane and Pendragon all need factoring in too in an intriguing Doncaster Cup.