DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11

1.50 DONCASTER

The usual sprinkling of proven pattern performers up against several working their way through the ranks in a race of this nature and there is a fair chance that POATAN might be capable of running beyond his current rating based on his much-improved effort at Windsor last time.

Having his first run post wind surgery, George Scott’s inmate was quite strong in the market to make a bigger impression than he had done on his two previous starts and that market confidence ended up being well placed as he stormed clear in the closing stages of a well-run affair to score with plenty in hand.

Posting a useful time figure for a juvenile novice event, the form has already begun to take shape with the runner-up, Division, bolting up at Haydock last week and with connections of William Haggas’ inmate looking towards a possible tilt at Group 1 races in future, it puts into context what Poatan achieved at the Berkshire venue.

Strictly speaking, the son of Lucky Vega has a bit to find with Jel Pepper based on their previous clash at Goodwood but it is clear he has improved significantly in the interim period and with a nice middle draw (stall 8) seen as a good place to be given recent trends (8 of the last 9 all single figure draws), this well-built colt looks set to pick up some of the decent prize money of offer.

Going back to Jel Pepper, he looks a worthy favourite on the basis he was probably the best horse in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas last time out but was just undone by the draw (big bias towards those drawn high).

POATAN – ½ point each-way@18-1 (five places)

3.00 DONCASTER

John & Thady Gosden have a decent record in this Group 2 in recent times and CREPE SUZETTE (best price 13-2) is taken to come out best of the four-pronged attack the Newmarket handler has unleashed on this year’s renewal.

The daughter of Saxon Warrior looked to have plenty to find based on the official ratings at York last time out, heading into the contest on a perch of just 80, but there is no denying she should have won, and she thoroughly deserves her new mark of 98.

Steadied at the start and still in last place turning for home, she just got going too late after the smooth-travelling Charlotte’s Web obtained first run but considering how hard she hit the line, she was easily the one to take out of the race.

Surpassing her previous best speed figure by some way, the consistent filly looked to be crying out for further based on the evidence presented a month ago and with stable jockey Rav Havlin choosing to ride her over the other three, the hint should be taken.

CREPE SUZETTE – 1-point each-way@13-2 (four places)

4.43 DONCASTER

MCMURRAY (best price 7-2) impressed with the way he dug himself out of hole to win at Ffos Las last time out and with a mark of 83 an attractive starting point for George Boughey’s colt on handicap debut, he is expected to make a big arrival in this discipline.

No match for subsequent Solario Stakes winner, A Bit Of Spirit, on his first two starts, the son of Mehmas looked to have been found a decent opportunity to get off the mark on his third attempt at the Welsh venue and despite momentarily being in trouble when the tempo increased three out, he stayed on very strongly ultimately win with a degree of authority.

Posting a smart speed figure, he left the impression he is really beginning to find his feet and with today’s big, expansive track likely to play into his strengths, this slow-burning project has the ability of profile to land a race of this nature.

MCMURRAY – 1-point win@7-2