15:00 Doncaster

Friday 11 September 2026

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:04 | Winning time: 3m 57.05s

(6)

Caballo De Mar^b,t1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: George Scott| OR: 115| BF

5/6

Narrowly edged out by Sweet William (won previous 2 renewals of this race) in the Sagaro before doubling his Group 1 tally at Longchamp in late-May. The class act but first-time blinkers/tongue strap will need to do the trick, following another unconvincing finish in the Lonsdale Cup last time.

Form: 7-22104

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(7)

Ascending²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 99

13/2

Successful in 2½m Ascot Stakes prior to a fine second in 2025 Ebor, finishing ½-length ahead of Queenstown (who is 6 lb better off here). Right back to his best when 2¼ lengths fourth in this year's renewal of the latter race, and this strong-travelling sort could be a lively each-way contender.

Form: 26-7064

(1)

Berkshire Sundance^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 102

14/1

Enhanced a then remarkable strike rate when scoring on All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle in April. Produced a career best on first handicap start over an extreme distance when 3-lengths second at Goodwood (2½m) latest. Step into Group 2 company probably a bridge too far, though.

Form: 011682

(8)

Beylerbeyi^h,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101| C| D

5/1

Likeable sort whose latest success came in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October. Confirmed he's right back on top of his game in Ebor at York on his latest start, coming from off the pace (typically started slowly) to finish 2½ lengths fifth. Could prove vulnerable to classier types here.

Form: 360845

(4)

Epic Poet²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 107

14/1

Finished third in the Yorkshire Cup (1¾m) in May but has lost his way since his subsequent 2¾-length fourth in a tactical King Henry II at Sandown (2m). Posted another tame finishing effort in the Ebor (50/1) last time, however, he's hard to totally discount given his smart early-season form.

Form: 534650

(5)

Peace Belle²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: J Candlish| OR: 102| BF

100/1

Fair bumper winner. Form of her 3 lengths fourth of 6 in Silver Cup at York (1¾m, 125/1) looks dubious. Since been turned over in what was effectively a match race at Carlisle (11f). Unlikely to be good enough, even if she stays this significantly longer trip.

Form: 442

(2)

Winday^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: E Mullins| OR: 97

6/1

Third in a strong Tipperary maiden (9f) this time last year. Tongue strap added when a decisive winner at Ffos Las (1½m) on first start back for shrewd yard (following fairly useful spell hurdling in France). This is a marked step up in class/trip, however, he's completely unexposed as a stayer.

Form: 730-1

Non-Runners

(3)

Queenstown²⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: A P O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Caballo De Mar (5/6), Queenstown (7/4), Beylerbeyi (5/1), Winday (6/1), Ascending (13/2), Epic Poet (14/1), Berkshire Sundance (14/1), Peace Belle (100/1)

QUEENSTOWN looks interesting in receipt of 5 lb from dual Group 1 winner Caballo de Mar (who hasn't fired on his last couple of starts), and he's taken to give Aidan O'Brien a first success in this race since 2008. Top-end handicapper Ascending appeals as a sporting each-way bet at the forecast prices, in what hardly looks a stellar renewal.