2:25 Doncaster Tips

After winning a mile maiden at Lingfield on the AW, Jack Channon's 4yo improved to finish runner-up in a Haydock handicap. He didn't stay the extra furlong in his final run at Newmarket but looks the one to beat back over a mile here.

Has won at this course twice, which gives him the upper hand to most in this field. These small edges make all the difference at this time of year.

This Irish-trained raider looks a very interesting runner, with the trainer often plundering big prizes. The booking of Colin Keane is a positive, and this 4yo has the form on the book to go close here. The horse got within half a length of Great David in a novice race, and that level of form is good enough for him to go close off this mark despite being near the top of the handicap. Finishing fourth of 25 in a handicap last time out showed that he has the attributes to perform in big-field races, and there is a lot to like about his chances here.

PRINCIPALITY needs to prove he's raring to go after a 147-day absence, but considering most of the field are returning for the first time this season, it may have slightly less of an impact in this than it otherwise would. His fourth at Goodwood back in October on his penultimate start is strong form for this race, and he's racing off 1 lb lower than that today. He was fourth of 12 on that occasion but less than two lengths off the winner. He can probably have that run marked up to some degree because he was always up against it from a wide draw. He tends to relish a good pace to aim at and he should certainly get that in this with the field size and plenty who like to go forward. The ground shouldn't be a problem given his last win actually came on good to soft, interestingly off this mark too. Plenty in here with chances; the selection is more than capable of running into a place at the very least assuming traffic doesn't prove to be a problem, and good value at the price.

He was in good form last year, winning a 17-runner handicap at Ascot and finishing 3rd at this track in a 21-runner handicap. Those both came over 7f, but the step up in trip did not bother him last time out when winning at Newcastle. He will appreciate a bit of give in the ground.

Looked smart as a 2yr old for Ed Bethell finishing 3rd in a group 2 and started last season with some encouraging efforts including beaten just over 3L by King's Lynn in a 0-105 handicap at Haydock. For whatever reason he lost his way as the season went on but a step up to a mile at this track on his last run of the season saw him finish a very good 4th at 50/1. That was on heavy ground (been a NR on similar before) so conditions probably didn't suit yet he still ran well. Now with Mick Appleby, beens eased to a mark of just 85 (10lb+ below what he started last season off) and given he was even running in a group 2 last season shows that clearly connections thought highly of him. The stable switch could re-ignite this horse and he's on a dangerous mark. Havlin booking is interesting as he's got a 33% sr for the yard in last 5yrs (turf & aw) and that becomes just 1-1 on turf in that period.

He is an 11-time winner on turf, with his most notable performance last year being the Carlisle Bell in June. He is 2 lb lower than that winning mark, and this mark looks lenient, as he showed when finishing 2nd here in his last run.

He enters in peak form, having finished as runner-up in both recent starts at Wolverhampton. Racing off the same mark, he is back to his best and remains a strong each-way contender at 16/1.

I would hope the pace on the high side gives that side an advantage, as you generally want to be drawn at or near the extremes here. The one that made appeal as being overpriced was Vincent Rocks, who is drawn alongside a pace angle, and actually beat the fave on debut off worse terms than this. A flop over a mile and two since, he’s priced on that effort potentially, and a bit of cut in the ground can help his chances. He’s a risk, as he’s the most unexposed and least experienced horse in the race, but on balance, the manner of his victory on debut suggests a horse that does have some ability. He broke slowly there and took a while to get going in the straight, but was well on top of his rival at the line.

At the current odds, I think this horse might be somewhat overlooked. He has had a couple of outings on the all-weather to keep him sharp. He was a good second in a C2 at Haydock in September, and Karl Burke runners demand respect. Each-way chance.

STERLING KNIGHT is a real trooper on the turf and will come on from his run last time out at Southwell. He looks to be pretty well handicapped, and a claimer takes further weight off. We've got plenty of extra places to play for, and as a former course winner he's considered at this price. This race doesn't look any tougher than his previous attempts, so he could capitalise.

The Spring Mile is ultra-competitive as usual, and I will take a chance with Cadarn, who is having their first start for Kevin Ryan. Won after a similar break to today, so no worries on that front. Is drawn well in stall 6, which has been an advantage in previous years. This race has a history of producing a shock price-wise, and this could well be another if the new yard has got them ready for their seasonal reappearance. Six places on offer, so well worth considering to run into a place.

All the pace will be on his side. Six places is a good each-way bet (even though he may be exposed). Proven in big-field mile races and proven at Doncaster. Handles that slight bit of cut. Could definitely place.

Lightly raced 4yo filly. Below par in two runs last autumn, but hopefully she’ll be fresh and stronger after a five-month break. She did run well in a couple of Listed races in the first half of last year, including at this track on her return in 2025. She’s on a handy-looking mark for this handicap and looks overpriced.