Group Two Champagne Stakes Doncaster Guide 2023

Richard Hannon sends one runner to Doncaster's opening race on Saturday in the form of Rosallion. The two-year-old currently stands out as the market favourite (priced at 4/9) after an unbeaten start to his career. The colt begun his career with a one-and-a-half-length victory at Newbury in June, before making it two out of two in the Listed Eddery Stakes at Ascot in July, impressively finishing four lengths ahead of Al Musmak.

That form is probably the strongest in the race, so he is probably the one to beat here. Sean Levey is booked to ride.

Aiden O'Brien boasts one runner in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday in the form of Mountain Bear. The two-year-old has begun his career in indifferent fashion, managing one win so far at Curragh by a length before enduring a slightly tougher run of form since in better contests. He was a decent third in the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood but was only fourth in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at Curragh last time out.

The two at the top of the market make more appeal but we shouldn't rule out the O'Brien and Ryan Moore duo.

Charles Hills sends one runner to the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday in the form of Iberian. The two-year-old arrives at this contest on the back of a good start to his career, finishing first on debut in a 13-runner class four novice at Newbury in June before a good showing on grouped debut in the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last month, finishing runner-up.

The colt now looks to open his grouped account here and is one that should go very close. Tom Marquand is booked to ride.

David Menuisier sends one of his runners to this grouped race at Doncaster on Saturday in the form of Sunway. The colt begun his career with a three-and-a-quarter-length victory over Rednblue Sovereign and seven other rivals to claim Sandown maiden in June before finishing sixth in the Listed Eddery Stakes at Ascot, won by fellow runner Rosallion in July over seven furlongs.

He cannot be ruled out here as he is in the infancy of his career and can progress, but others make more appeal and the two at the top of the market look worthy of that position. Oisin Murphy is booked to ride.

Alice Haynes has entered her two-year-old Power Mode into two races at Doncaster this week, including this race and the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes on Friday. The colt arrives here as the market outsider after below-par finishes of fourth at Deauville in the Group Three Prix de Cabourg Stakes and eighth in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York last time out, unable to replicate winning debut at Yarmouth back in July.

It feels as if he is a little out of his depth at this sort of level and it remains to be seen whether Haynes leaves him in this or drops him into listed company on Friday.