Cup The Main Focus On Town Moor

[Wandering Eyes]

Doncaster’s card on Thursday features three group races, with the centrepiece being the G2 Doncaster Cup over the demanding trip of 2 1/4 miles. There is no stand-out this year, with Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) resting up after his wearying road to the million and Willie Mullins is amply represented with a trio including last year’s runner-up Thomas Hobson (GB) (Halling). Last seen finishing fifth in the G3 Irish St Leger Trial S. over 14 furlongs at The Curragh Aug. 25, the pick of the Rich Ricci trio has the assistance of Ryan Moore. “We know Thomas Hobson acts on the track, as he has run well on it before. I suppose he is our best chance and he has Ryan Moore on board, but they are three good horses on their day,” Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said.

If there is one unexposed at the trip it is Kirsten Rausing’s July 14 G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil runner-up Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), who was fourth in a decent renewal of the G3 Geoffrey Freer S. at Newbury last time Aug. 18. If he still possesses the class he demonstrated when beating Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the 2016 G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup over 11 furlongs at Newbury in September 2016 he must enter the reckoning.

In the G2 Wainwrights Flying Childers S., the impressive G3 Molecomb S. winner Rumble Inthejungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) looks to provide Cheveley Park Stud with a quick return on their recent investment. Trainer Richard Spencer is convinced the best is yet to come despite his success in Goodwood’s test of precocity. “He is in good shape and I couldn’t have him any better,” he said. “We’ve got to respect all the other runners, but we are just concentrating on our lad really. He is just getting more professional. He is very professional in his home work and has shown that on track. He is very straightforward and his work in between Goodwood and now has been good, so hopefully he can translate that to the track.” Third in the Molecomb, the Listed Windsor Castle S. winner Soldier’s Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) has since captured Chantilly’s G3 Prix d’Arenberg with all the dynamism he showed at Royal Ascot and he is back in action 13 days after that effort. “Things didn’t go his way in the Molecomb and there was a bit of scratching of heads afterwards, but I don’t think he particularly enjoyed the downhill part of the track,” trainer Archie Watson said. “It was good to get back on track in France and I’ve been very happy with him since.” Qatar Racing’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Legends of War (Scat Daddy) is dropped to five furlongs after his latest second in the G2 Gimcrack S. at York Aug. 24, while Zhang Yuesheng’s Indigo Balance (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is an intriguing contender coming off a defeat of Gossamer Wings (Scat Daddy) in the Aug. 25 Listed Curragh S.

The day kicks off with the G3 Japan Racing Association Sceptre S. in which Godolphin’s Laugh Aloud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) bids to build on her return fourth in the G3 Atalanta S. over a mile at Sandown Sept. 1. Last year’s impressive G3 Princess Elizabeth S. scorer has the pace for this drop in trip and trainer John Gosden commented, “I was pleased with Laugh Aloud’s run at Sandown and she will appreciate the ground at Doncaster.” Anna Nerium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) may be the pick of the 3-year-olds following her latest success in the G3 Supreme S. at Goodwood Aug. 26.

Perhaps the most intriguing runner of the day is ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who takes in the Listed Weatherbys Global Stallions App Flying Scotsman S. having impressed on his winning debut in the Juddmonte silks in a seven-furlong Newmarket novice contest Aug. 24.

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