WE are up for the Cup at Doncaster this afternoon.
And so is our very own stable legend COLTRANE (3.00), who is back to defend his crown in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup.
PASun Racing columnist Balding reckons Coltrane is a good thing at Donny[/caption]
He has been his usual reliable self this season and, after a couple of near-misses, it was great to get his head back in front at York last time out.
He was so tough in the Lonsdale Cup and was probably in front sooner than ideal, but he battled on well to beat the Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami.
Coltrane has an incredible constitution and has bounced out of that race in good form.
It’s only a small field but it is a high quality one, with Trueshan and Broome in opposition, while Sweet William — who has plenty to find with us on ratings — is interesting as the up-and-comer.
We have a penalty to carry, which isn’t ideal, but you can set your clock by Coltrane — he will be bang there at the finish.
I’d say we have three really big chances today.
We unleash another of our big guns in the Flying Childers, and it is something of a recovery mission for FLORA OF BERMUDA (2.25).
I strongly fancied her heading into the Lowther at York and she travelled well through the race, but she faded pretty quickly approaching the final furlong.
Nothing has come to light since then, but she was ultra-impressive over five furlongs on soft ground at Goodwood on her previous start.
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She runs under the same conditions today so I’m hoping she can put her York blip behind her.
We kick off with LASTING LOVE (1.15) in the fillies’ maiden, and she is a horse we like a lot.
She is a big girl and is bred to improve with time and distance, so this seven-furlong trip isn’t ideal.
But she can be a little keen at home so it’s worth a try and she needs to get some experience under her belt. She is definitely one for the future.
GUSHING GOLD (1.50) won a big pot at York last time out and is in great form at home, but the likelihood of soft ground is a slight concern.
We have no such worries about THE GOAT (3.35), though, who bolted up at big odds in the mud at Glorious Goodwood.
He was put up 12lb for that and found the ground a bit lively for him in the Melrose at York last time out.
In hindsight maybe he should have stayed at home, but today’s conditions will suit him.
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