Friday 27th April 2018

1.40 Doncaster

This looks a good race for the grade, with the majority of these likely to be better than their current handicap marks. Knightly Spirit is the rightful favourite after showing some very useful form as a two-year-old in behind the likes of Roaring Lion and Showroom and starts life on a lenient mark in ideal conditions. French Flyer looked useful two-year-old even though he had the size and scope to be better at three.  Michael Dodds isn’t firing on all cylinders just yet, so that would be a concern. Cracker Factory has some useful two-year-old form to his name and is well bred but this trip could maybe be a bit sharp for him and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in a Juvenile hurdle later in the year. Spark of War is one of my three-year-olds to follow and conditions will be in his favour on Town Moor. This is a tough race for him to start his season and hopefully the Keith Dalgleish yard has turned a corner following a winner at Beverley today.

Very green on debut on heavy ground, first three in the race pulled clear and Spark of War was given an easy ride back in fourth.  He improved slightly on second start but again was very green. Spark of War was surprisingly dropped in trip on final start and ridden differently but was not quick enough to do himself justice. Those three runs were within a month so he has quickly got a handicap mark. He is by Declaration of War, who improved from two to three and his dam won a listed and G3 race over 12f as a three-year-old, so there is some hope for improvement this year.  A 65,000 purchase from a good family so connections will expect him to build on his opening mark.

1pt win SPARK OF WAR (16/1 general)

3.00 Sandown

Stephensons Rocket was one of my handicappers to follow but finds himself in the Classic Trial. He would have won on debut but for greenness out in front. The horse that beat him that day was Crossed Baton, who had the benefit of experience and went on to win the Classic Trial at Epsom this week. This looks a really strong race, with Sevenna Star looking like he could be special after beating a highly thought of Mark Johnston horse at Windsor by 14 lengths. Chilean has won a group 3 in France already this season and you can’t rule out any of Charlie Appleby’s at the moment. Stephensons Rocket could easily run an excellent race and finish out of the first three.

Green out of the stalls and a little keen on debut. Looked to have the race won but ran green in front and outpaced before being beaten by a more experienced rival at Sandown. He didn’t have to improve to go one better at Redcar next time, though he was quite keen again. He showed a good attitude at Redcar, pulling further away from the field the further he went. The form of that win could be questionable but Stephensons Rocket is a big scopey colt who should be competitive in top mile and half handicaps this season or even group races if he learns to settle. He hasn’t been given a mark yet but a best guess would be mid 80s.

1pt win STEPHENSONS ROCKET (11/1 Bet365)

Other eye-catchers over the winter but not put up at the start of the season run in the 4.35 at Sandown and 3.25 at Doncaster. At Sandown Give And Take is related to both Fame And Glory and Legatissimo. Her first two runs were encouraging (two and a half lengths behind Wild Illusion who went on to win the Prix Marcel Boussac last autumn).  She looked to really get the hang of things when bolting up on her third start. She should be capable of better still. The other eye-catcher in this race is Crystal Hope, who was very green on debut at Nottingham but did show signs of ability when staying on behind Hadith (rated 97) and Sheikha Reika (rated 88). Given her breeding, more will be expected as a three-year-old. She has an each-way chance at 12/1 but once again John Gosden has another potentially high-class horse at his disposal in Highgarden.

At Doncaster my eye-catcher is Mirror Mirror, who ran in a couple of decent novice races as a two-year-old. I noted that this horse is from the Family of Kingston Hill, who would improve for middle distances next season, so I am surprised they have stepped her down from a mile to 6f. She did show good pace when making the running on her latest start, where she also lost a shoe.  She might be here for the experience and a handicap mark, but if she suits the step down in trip then she is overpriced at 16/1.

In the 3.55 at Doncaster, Humble Gratitude runs in his first handicap off a fair mark. Clifford Lee was on board when he broke his maiden tag and put up an RPR of 84. He also put up an RPR of 85 when finishing ¾ lengths behind Staxton at Haydock. 6/1 looks a fair price.