Katie Midwinter (21/10/22)
DONCASTER
1:20pm – Class 3 Handicap
There are a few to keep an eye on in the opening handicap contest on the card at Doncaster.
Young Fire is 5lbs lower than his last winning mark and could enjoy the softer conditions back down in trip. He has run well at the track on previous occasions and a mark of 91 may give him a chance in what appears a tight affair, with many horses rated closely together.
Stablemate Bopedro’s last win came in a highly competitive handicap at the Curragh last summer off a 2lbs lower mark. He is yet to show his true quality for new yard since switching from Jessica Harrington’s but has potential to bounce back now off a mark of 96.
The first-time cheekpieces brought plenty of improvement from three-year-old Mystery Fox as he strode to victory at Goodwood when last seen. He has subsequently been given a 5lbs rise by the handicapper and has a fair chance if the headgear has the desired effect.
Tomfre is a winner over course and distance but has been below par this season and disappointed at the track last year. He is another who could be suited by the predicted soft ground and has been given a chance by the handicapper, now 16lbs lower than when running here last November.
Each-way selection:
Young Fire 12/1 (EW) – David O’Meara, Daniel Tudhope
3:00pm – Doncaster Stakes (Listed Race)
Donnacha O’Brien’s French-bred colt Wodao has gained plenty of experience in his juvenile season, running in seven races so far this season, winning twice including in a Listed race on his penultimate start at Tipperary.
He is back up in trip, attempting 6f for the second time, following a debut run over the distance in which he finished fifth, six-lengths behind winner Tough Talk with Little Big Bear in second.
The son of Showcasing has stamina on his dam’s side and has appeared to enjoy softer conditions. Market leader Aesop’s Fables has already faltered on softer ground, and struggled in the Dewhurst Stakes when last seen.
He drops back down in class and could be good enough at this level but despite showing promise in his first two starts he doesn’t appear to be the most reliable selection at this stage in his career.
His stablemate Hispanic has been well beaten by Ardad’s Great already this season, a horse that finished a nose behind Wodao when receiving weight in the aforementioned Tipperary Stakes. Wodao is overpriced and he could well cause an upset.
Value bet:
Wodao 12/1 (EW) – Donnacha Aidan O’Brien, Oisin Orr
3.35pm – Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1)
Aidan O’Brien will eclipse Sir Henry Cecil to become the outright most-winning trainer of this contest with eleven victories if one of his representatives is able to claim the prize on Saturday.
The well-bred son of Deep Impact, Auguste Rodin, is the warm short-priced favourite and appears the one to beat. He is out of Group One winning daughter of Galileo, Rhododendron, and was last seen staying on well to record his first Group Two success on soft ground at Leopardstown.
Currently antepost favourite for next year’s Derby, narrowly ahead of Al Riffa in the betting market, there are high expectations surrounding the colt and there will be plenty of eyes on him in the paddock ahead of the race.
Stablemate Salt Lake City weakened quickly at York in August but excuses can be made and it may be worth forgiving considering his decent second-placed finish behind Group One-winner Al Riffa on debut.
The Galileo colt won his maiden easily last time out over a mile on soft ground at Navan and, whilst his dam possessed plenty of speed, he should have enough stamina from his sire to see out the trip well once again.
Holloway Boy didn’t get the run of things last time out at Newmarket, when finishing almost two-lengths behind second-placed Epictetus. However, he hasn’t shown the same level of ability as when winning the Chesham Stakes on debut and he may not be good enough at this level.
Long shot:
Salt Lake City 12/1 (EW) – A P O’Brien, Wayne Lordan
CHELTENHAM
2:05pm – Class 2 Handicap Chase
The Wolf 9/1 – Olly Murphy, A P Heskin
2:40pm – Class 2 Hurdle
Pied Piper 10/11 – Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy
3:15pm – Class 2 Handicap Chase
Editeur Du Gite 7/2 – Gary Moore, Niall Houlihan (3)
3:50pm – Class 2 Handicap Hurdle
The Real Whacker 16/1 (EW) – Ann Duffield, Gavin Sheehan
THE CONDITIONAL 