2:57 Doncaster Tips

Docklands was not disgraced in finishing 4th in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin last time out and won the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last season.

A pretty disappointing field for this contest. Docklands is the one to beat on form but his record away from his favourite Ascot is poor. Qirat improved through handicaps and always looked a listed/group 3 horse at least but can put in the odd shocker of a run. He brought his A-game to win the Sussex (group 1) at Goodwood last season, albeit he was given a freebie on the front end. Was far from disgraced next time out when beaten just over 2L in the City Of York (group 1) but was well below that level in his final two runs. I think conditions will suit him, he has a good record when fresh and still relatively lightly raced having had just 15 runs as a 5yr old. He could progress again into a more consistent group performer this season.

This race has recently gone to the 4yos who have come out of their classic season, turning into top-quality 8f horses. Chindit, Charyn, and Dancing Gemini all fit that mould. Of this year's crop there's only two 4yos and, while on ratings he has plenty to do, I fancy that Excellent Believe can take his form to a new level this season. Unraced as a 3yo, he ran to a good level last year, including 2nd in open company behind Zeus Olympios in the Group 3 Superior Mile. That rival won the Group 2 Joel Stakes by 2.75L next time. The ground was a little on the soft side in France, and a return to a better surface can see him continue his upward curve. Lightly raced and open to more improvement than the rest of the field, his yard is in good form already this season.

Seems to have been a little bit of interest in this C&D winner. Highly tried after that win. Stable can have them ready, and it would be no surprise to see this one go close.

As per quotes from Harry Eustace, coming here instead of Dubai could have been an afterthought and a prep for the rest of the season. With that in mind, they might not be fully tuned up for their seasonal reappearance after a globetrotting end to last season. I will take them on with the Kevin Ryan-trained Volterra, who beat reopposing rival Qirat in October 2024. Volterra ran in listed/Group level races thereafter with decent runs, suggesting that a listed success could well be on the cards. If matured and freshened up for the break since they last ran in October, they could go close.