The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 28th October 2023

The Mandarin’s Doncaster Racecard for Saturday 28th October

Doncaster Groundworks And Reinforcements Nursery Handicap 1.35
Palmar Bay
It may pay to side with Ralph Beckett’s Exceed And Excel colt for the opener on the final day of the British flat season. He lines up here on a hat-trick after a brace of wins at Salisbury, the last of those a Conditions race. The step up to 7 furlongs is taken to suit and there’ll be no issues over this deep ground, so eased in grade to a Class 3 contest should be bang there

Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) 2.10
Ancient Wisdom
Charlie Appleby is in scintillating form and Ancient Wisdom can add to the tally. He’s three from four going to post for this final Group 1 of the season, and was right back on track when landing the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket two weeks ago. He looked fine on soft ground, so should cope with conditions here on Town Moor’s flatter course. Obviously, Aidan O’Brien cannot be glossed over in this race, having won four of the last six renewals, so Diego Velazquez has to enter calculations. However, the going will be telling and Ancient Wisdom’s win on soft gets him the nudge for the feature

William Hill Prospect Stakes (Listed) 2.45
Ballymount Boy (nap)
This listed contest can go to Ballymount Boy, whose runners-up spot behind Vandeek in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes stands out. That form was well franked when Vandeek went on to win the Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket, and Ballymount Boy can be forgiven his last run at ParisLongchamp when he was too keen. The notable booking of James Doyle adds to the appeal in these calmer waters, so Ballymount Boy to score again

William Hill Farewell Flat Handicap 3.20
Vintage Clarets (nb)
Richard Fahey will be hoping that Vintage Clarets can bring up the hat-trick on Town Moor after wins at York and Catterick. He beat the re-opposing Glorious Angel a short-head last time out, and there’s no reason to expect a reversal of those placings on similar heavy ground. It was a ding-dong of a battle in that race and drawn next to each other here in Stalls 3 & 4, another decent duel is in store

Red Rock Partnership Recruitment Solutions Handicap 3.50
Maximilian Caesar
Course and distance winner Maximilian Caesar is one to keep on side for this Class 2 Handicap. This Holy Roman Emperor gelding found things a bit too hot in the Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket last time out, but this is a more realistic target. Proven on the course, and with conditions fine, Marco Botti’s charge is the one to beat

Alan Wood Plumbing And Heating Handicap 4.25
Oso Rapido
Roger Fell and Sean Murray’s Kodiac gelding led from the front at Catterick last week, and a repeat of that performance puts him right in the frame here. The Handicapper’s taken note, so edged up 3lbs, but Ben Curtis will be smartly out of Stall 1 with him. Every chance

Scott Dobson Memorial Handicap (Div. I) 4.58
Astral Spirit
Pam Sly will be hoping Astral Spirit can lose the maiden tag in this ordinary race for the grade. Just held by Ideal Guest last week at Yarmouth, this Charm Spirit filly can go one better here to open her account. Hayley Turner gets the leg up, and she can bring home Astral Spirit from an ideal draw

Scott Dobson Memorial Handicap (Div. II) 5.28
Lockdown Lass
The closing race of the season on Town Moor can go to Lockdown Lass, with the notable booking of Oisin Murphy catching the eye. Gary Hanmer’s mare won at Chester last month, and has course form here on soft ground in this term’s form book, so if coping with the extra cut, looks as likely as any to go in. Thunder Roar got the stewards’ help to score at York last time out, so rates the main threat, but Lockdown Lass gets the final vote with Oisin Murphy up top

The Mandarin