Doncaster Cup Runners Guide: Lowdown On The Field And 1-2-3
The Doncaster Cup is the feature race of Day 2 at the St Leger Festival and sees some high quality stayers clash at Donny over 2m1f197y. Although just six runners are entered, it is tough to rule any (barring the outsider) out with any confidence and here we provide a runners guide...
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1. Coltrane - Oisin Murphy & Andrew Balding
The 2022 winner Coltrane is the least likely winner of those priced up at single figures according to the compilers at Midnite, and judging by his two lacklustre latest runs in the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup it is not hard to see why. Nevertheless, a horse with such smart course form is not one to discount easily and he did win the Segaro Stakes earlier this season in May, so it is not long ago that he was running at his peak. He's seven now so getting on a touch, but should be suited by this test so has a squeak.
2. Gregory - James Doyle & John + Thady Gosden
It has been a season of solid efforts but frustration for connections of Gregory, who looked very smart indeed last season racking up three wins but has found the step up to open company tough. He has run four times this season and barring one blip when finishing seventh, has finished third on each start including what was certainly a season best last time out when behind Kyprios and Sweet William in the Goodwood Cup. Stablemate Sweet William did seem to just outbattle him on the Downs that day in their battle for second place and he did also dwell at the start so despite Gregory's likeability it's tough to see why he reverses that tight defeat.
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3. Point Lonsdale - Ryan Moore & Aidan O'Brien
For a long time Point Lonsdale looked just the type who would relish the stamina sapping trips, however that was certainly not the case in his disappointing effort in the Lonsdale Cup when a fancied favourite last time out at York. That race was over two miles and he has another two furlongs to contend with here, so the negatives are obvious.
Connections were stumped as to why he flopped at York but are determined to give him a second chance to showcase his stamina and coming from the stable of arguably the sport's greatest ever trainer, it would be folly to write him off on the back of one poor showing. His win earlier in the season at Chester is a good bit of form and in Ryan Moore he could have no better pilot.
4. Sweet William - Robert Havlin & John + Thady Gosden
The market leader as this piece is penned and it is clear to see why considering he has now proven himself as the best of the rest behind Kyprios - undisputedly the best stayer on the planet right now - and stablemate Trawlerman, who does not run here. He showed himself to be of group 1 class in 2023 but has arguably took his form to another level this year, with in particular his latest effort to steal second place in the Goodwood Cup from Gregory in the dying strides a career best.
It is tough to hold how far Sweet William beat Gregory at Ascot in the Gold Cup against the latter named as he notably weakened toward the end of that race and was much better next time, however it cannot be denied that Sweet William looks to have improved past the Wathnan Racing gelding now despite the hype being alll about Gregory last season. He looks the most likely winner here.
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5. Trueshan - Hollie Doyle & Alan King
No result would be greeted with a bigger cheer than were the legend Trueshan to get his head in front, as he did in style in 2023. With the ground looking set to stay good to soft at its wettest, however, it is hard to see him reversing form with the top two in the market from Ascot in the Gold Cup. Trueshan has looked if not a shadow of his former self in 2024, a blunted version of the fantastic beast of a stayer he has been and providing the heavens do not open, he will struggle to compete here when the final furlong approaches. If there is a massive deluge, expect his price to be cut in half!
6. Wise Eagle - Danny Tudhope & Adam Nicol
Outsider of the field Wise Eagle looks to have a huge task on his hands for Adam Nicol, although perhaps with some in here being unreliable it could end up a shrewd bit of placing if he can get himself amongst the places. He is rated vastly inferior to the rest of the field in here, hasn't registered a win since spring 2023 and does not have age on his side now that he's seven. HIs 16th placed finish in the Ebor last time out probably shows the level he is operating at and he can be ignored.
Predicted 1-2-3
- Sweet William
- Gregory
- Point Lonsdale
