Doncaster - Sat 18 Jul 2026
Papa Don't Preach has done all his winning on the all-weather and needs to bounce back from a poor run at Nottingham, but is capable of mounting a challenge off this mark. Come On Over has every chance to dominate this small field if he can get away smartly and should not be underestimated, but ANCIENT TIMES is preferred. Dropped a class after winning at Epsom, and with Travis Ford claiming 7lb, he might be able to shrug off the 2lb addition from the handicapper.
The Haggas juveniles are yet to hit top gear but he introduces Regalism here, a son of Blue Point related to plenty of winners and worthy of a market watch ahead of his debut. Keep Grating ran on strongly to finish third over 6f at Ascot and is another to at least consider, though SANBONA WARRIOR is hard to ignore. Headed and beaten a length at Kempton on debut, his stable are in good form and he could go one better now.
With a distinct lack of recent winning form, this looks like a good chance for dual C&D winner Akkadian Thunder to get back among the money, having won off this mark here in June last year. First Time finished a solid third at Chester last month and can also go well, but a chance is taken on EGOLI bouncing back to form. Fourth in the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes last September, a repeat of that would be more than good enough in this company.
The uphill finish took its toll on TRAVIS in the last half-furlong at Beverley. He still finished a creditable third, having scored nicely at Redcar prior to that, and the son of Advertise looks worth sticking with in his current frame of mind. Thapa VC is never easily ruled out at this level and finished a close third when last seen over C&D in June, while Wilde And Dandy could also be in the mix.
WILLOW WOOD won easily at Ffos Las on her first start over 1m4f. Ed Walker's filly beat a subsequent winner in the process, so a 6lb rise doesn't look insurmountable with plenty of scope for further improvement. Tai Hang Pegasus posted his best effort to date when runner-up at Epsom. He could land a blow, while Rossa Raheen gave the impression this longer trip would suit when fourth over 1m2f at Newbury.
PALMARIAN seemed to have more in hand than the winning margin suggested at Leicester a couple of weeks ago and Ruth Carr's gelding merits plenty of respect off just a 2lb higher mark. Electric Lightning hit the crossbar at Beverley last time and is likely to be in the mix once again, while Penny Ghent and Woodleigh are others to note.
Cases can be made for all of these but preference is for PYLEATES. The daughter of Kingman was a close second over 1m6f at Sandown earlier in the month and this further step up in trip may bring about more improvement. Tabasko is another who could benefit from trying this distance for the first time. Pergamon has been in outstanding form over hurdles of late and should not be discounted, while An Bradan Feasa is more than capable of going well.
Ancient Times, back to winning ways over 6f at Epsom last time, should be fine down to 5f and can go well again, while Come On Over is coming off a breakthrough success and may now have more to offer. The drop to 5f isn't sure to suit, though, and so STARTLING might be the best option. She's a consistent sort, well suited by 5f, and is only just above her last win mark.
Sanbona Warrior, a pleasing second at Kempton on debut, sets the standard with the probability of more to come now on turf but there could be marked improvement to come from THE MONKEY KING, who was disappointing in that same Kempton contest but is bred to be decent and should do much better this time for his top yard. Keep Grating improved from start one to two, finishing third at Ascot last week, and he looks ready for 7f now.
Yorkshire is back down in grade off a reduced mark and he could easily go well, but there are a couple of 3yos of interest lower down the weights who appeal, with FIRST TIME put forward as the selection after back-to-back solid efforts at York and Chester. He's kindly been eased 1lb and looks the most likely winner. Egoli has a bit of back class and is respected off an easing mark also.
Top weight TRAVIS returned to his best when winning at Redcar two starts back - it was his best form since 2024 - and although he couldn't quite back it up next time, he remains fairly treated. Wilde And Dandy is a past C&D winner on a decent mark still and rates the danger, although Maxi Boy ran a decent race over 6f here last time and will be happier back up to 7f now.
Tai Hang Pegasus was keen up to 12f last time but still showed improved form and he has a chance again if settling, while Willow Wood was a good winner at Ffos Las last time when upped to this trip. She has more to offer but ROSSA RAHEEN is a potential improver now stepping up to 12f for the first time - her dam is related to Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight - and she's taken to belatedly get off the mark. Boilermaker is another to consider tried in cheekpieces.
Former C&D winner Electric Lightning returned to form when runner-up at Beverley last time and he has a chance if building on that, while Princess Niyla can't be ruled out off an easing mark. The selection, though, is PALMARIAN, who is coming off a breakthrough success at Leicester and still looks favourably weighted off her new mark.
An Bradan Feasa and Pergamon were both in good form over hurdles on their most recent outings and victory for either wouldn't shock, but this might go to one of the fillies. It's TABASKO who is the selection. The only 3yo, she gets a very handy weight allowance and certainly shaped as though this 2m could improve her when runner-up over 12f at Epsom last time - her dam is also a sister to St Leger winner Hurricane Lane and a half-sister to high-class stayer Sweet William, so it's in the blood. Pyleates is another to consider up to 2m for the first time.
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