Today's Horse Racing Tips: Foxtrot to dance to Racing League win at Doncaster

Yesterday’s selection was a non-runner following persistent rain at Pontefract.

I have mixed the views on the new Racing League. Of course, it is brilliant to have a series of midweek races with increased prize money. From a betting point of view, the races seem really competitive and are intriguing puzzles to attempt to solve. Racing also can’t be criticised for trying to be innovative following success stories in other sports, notably cricket.

However, I know that the Racing League concept won’t do anything to engage my friends that don’t like racing. Personally, I have no interest in the team format, especially given the strange nature of the team names. Finally, for newcomers and seasoned racing fans alike, I think that it has the potential to create more confusion in an already complicated narrative. For example, there is the argument about whether the prize money won should contribute towards the Trainers’ Championship with many feeling that would be unfair. It’ll be interesting to see what tweaks are made for the 2022 competition.

There are two bets for today’s racing at Doncaster.

Doncaster Tips

18:13 – 6f William Hill Extra Place Races Racing League Handicap R8 (Class 3) 

IVATHEENGINE (1 point win bet at 6/1) made a really promising start to his career with four wins and a second from his first five races. The most recent of those wins, a six-furlong handicap on good ground at Newmarket, came off a mark of 89 last summer. He lines up off just 85 today so looks well handicapped if back to his best. He certainly gave that impression at Newcastle last week when going down by just ¾-length. That came on his first start since a wind operation and he can go one better today now that any breathing issues seem to be resolved. Akkeringa, who has won two of his last three starts, is feared most as he drops down in class.

18:48 – 7f William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Racing League Handicap R9 (Class 3)

Trainer David Menuisier is having a fine season and can land another winner courtesy of FOXTROT SIZZLER (NAP – 1 point win bet at 9/2). His improving three-year-old comes here off the back of two consecutive wins at Newbury and deservedly steps up in class today. Given that he has only won by short distances, the handicapper hasn’t been able to raise him too much and he remains open to further improvement. The step up to seven furlongs really suited him last time out and he appears to go on any ground. Josephine Gordon, who rode two winners at Carlisle earlier in the week, takes the ride for the first time.