Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to Saturday’s ITV races at Doncaster. Plus, there’s a free tip for Saturday.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
For the first time since autumn, ITV’s Saturday coverage features no jumps action, shifting its focus to the Flat. The broadcaster airs five races from Doncaster and three from Kempton’s all-weather card.
I previewed the William Hill Lincoln Handicap (3:35) in Wednesday’s column, but Doncaster’s undercard is solid. The Brocklesby Stakes (1:15) opens the season for 2-year-olds, while the Listed Cammidge Trophy (2:25) and Listed Doncaster Mile (3:00) add quality. The Spring Mile Handicap (1:50) acts as the Lincoln’s consolation race.
Kempton offers strong prize money, including the Virgin Bet Queen’s Prize Handicap (2:05) and the £100,000 Virgin Bet Rosebery Handicap (2:40). ITV also features the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes (3:15).
Sunday is just as busy. Leopardstown hosts the first 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas trials, plus the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes (3:45)—the first Derby trial. Doncaster continues its two-day Lincoln meeting, Ascot wraps up its jumps season, and Downpatrick stages the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase (4:05).
Doncaster – Early Thoughts on Saturday’s Card
I’ve started looking at Saturday’s card at Doncaster, though I suspect Kempton’s all-weather races may offer better betting opportunities.
ITV’s coverage kicks off with the William Hill Brocklesby Stakes (1:15), the first 2-year-old race of the season. Betting on unraced juveniles isn’t for me—good luck if you’re playing!
Next up is the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Spring Mile Handicap (1:50), the consolation race for Lincoln hopefuls. I have a few on my shortlist, but I’ll wait until final declarations before looking at the race in detail.
The William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Cammidge Trophy (2:25) is the third race on ITV. Marshman, race-fit from the all-weather, heads the market, but James’s Delight is a big danger. He loves easy ground and finished a never nearer 4 ¼ length 8th of 20 in the Group 1 Champion Sprint at Ascot. If Clive Cox has him ready, he can take this.
Al Shabab Storm ran well on his Marco Botti debut, finishing a close third in a Listed race at Wolverhampton 21 days ago. He’ll be sharper now, and the drop back to 6f is a plus. Frost At Dawn, who enjoys drying ground, makes each-way appeal at 20/1 (Sky Bet).
Cicero’s Gift – Lincoln or Doncaster Mile?
Just ten remain in the Listed William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes (3:00), and a small field seems likely. The sponsors make Cambridgeshire winner Liberty Lane (9/4) favourite, which feels about right. I’d love to see Cicero’s Gift take his chance here rather than the Lincoln. He’s unbeaten first time out
and likes cut in the ground. At 12/1 (Coral & Ladbrokes), Cicero’s Gift would be great value—if you knew he lines up.
I’m hoping Friday’s rain keep some ease in the ground and Charlie Hills see’s sense and comes here with the Cicero’s Gift. It’s a risky ante post selection but at 12/1 I was happy to take it.
Selection: Cicero’s Gift – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
I’m unsure if I’ll have time for a Saturday column, so tomorrow I’ll dive into the three ITV races at Kempton.
If you want my final Saturday selections, you can get them here.
Good luck with your Thursday bets!
John