DONCASTER

3:35 DONCASTER MILE STAKES (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 1m

BLYTHE KNIGHT 9-3 ~ After a rather unsuccessful winter over hurdles the 8yo gelding returned to the day job in the Lincoln. He ran a fine race on the far side to easily win that battle but just missed out on race victory when finishing 2nd. It was a better effort than the bare form suggests as he had to do all his own donkey work having not had the pace to run at so he had to make it himself. He should improve on that effort with a lead but he will have to with his Group penalty and the fact that the Spring Mile winner Don’t Panic recorded a far faster time whilst carrying 5lbs more weight.

DUBAI’S TOUCH 9-1 ~ The Mark Johnson 4yo finished off last season with some creditable efforts in Group races on the continent. He started this season on the all weather over 10f but ran as if the return to a mile on the turf would bring around a better level of performance. His form last season was progressive so he is of interest now he has conditions to suit once again.

MEDICINE PATH 9-1 ~ As a 2yo the Danehill Dancer colt finished 2nd in the Royal Lodge and 3rd in the Racing Post Trophy for Edward O’Neill. However he lost his way as a 3yo before a switch of scenery and Peter Chapple-Hyam brought him back to life at Kempton. The bare form of his Kempton win isn’t anything special but the turn of foot he showed to leave his rivals for dead was. He should come on for the run and he has proven form in the conditions.

BABODANA 8-12 ~Possibly shouldn’t be the price he is considering his proximity to Blythe Knight in the Lincoln but he is an exposed performer who should find at least a couple too strong in this competitive listed event.

DON’T PANIC 8-12 ~ Ran away with the Spring Mile and recorded a faster time than Smokey Oakey managed in the Lincoln. Likely to be better for that run which was the first in 5 months so the 4yo gelding deserves the step up in class. Hopes pinned solely on that effort though and this is a competitive little heat so the price doesn’t represent any value for his supporters. Popular theory that the Peter Chapple-Hyam 4yo will progress into a Group horse and that may well be true. However there are several horses in todays race that have creditable form in Group races already and they are far more attractive betting propositions.

RE BAROLA 8-12 ~ Has ground, although not much, to find on Dubai’s Touch on a form lines through Miles Gloriosus. A prolific scorer in Italy but he was never top class and judging by his efforts on the all weather the same looks likely to apply in this country as well.

SMART ENOUGH 8-12 ~ Not the most consistent horse last season but he did continue to progress. Won a conditions race at Bath and although he could be expected to hold his own in most Listed races this looks tough and he is likely to play only a minor role.

TELL 8-12 ~ After bouncing back to form in a Bath conditions stakes last season the John Dunlop 5yo continued to progress. He finished 2nd in the Group 2 Joel Stakes behind Creachadoir and was unfortunate not to finish at least closer than 4th in the Group 3 Darley Stakes. He suffering interference at an important stage so is better than the bare form behind Windsor Knot. He returns today but he had proven in the past when at the top of his game he is more than capable of running well fresh. The soft ground also shouldn’t be a worry and he comes into the race with a great chance.

CONCLUSION

Shortlist includes Blythe Knight, Dubai’s Touch, Medicine Path, Don’t Panic and Tell.

As such a competitive Listed race for the numbers the favourite Don’t Panic is taken on at the price. His stable mate Medicine Path looks an interesting runner but it’s a surprise he is a bigger price than his stable mate given his proven class as a 2yo. Although he ran well on soft ground in the Racing Post Trophy it blunts his speed and he maybe seen to better effect on faster ground. His race last time out was weak so there is still some way to go to prove he is still the same animal he was at 2 despite the impressive manor of victory. Tell goes well fresh but he may not have that race fitness so important in a competitive heat such as this. His win record isn’t that great either and in a competitive heat like this he may find a few too good. Dubai’s Touch grinded out two Listed wins over a mile last season in this country and then did well in a couple of Group races on the continent. Mark Johnson horses are more often than not difficult to pass so in the conditions the 4yo has a better chance than the odds suggest. Blythe Knight though will love the conditions and with a lead he should be able to build on his Lincoln performance. He has to carry a Group 3 penalty but he has proven in France that he can mix it with some top soft ground performers. If the ‘sexy’ horses fail to live up to the hype and are using this race merely as a stepping stone to future races then the John Quinn 8yo can capitalise.

1pt WIN – BLYTHE KNIGHT @ 7/1

RESULT

BLYTHE KNIGHT 3rd = -1pt