The Ian Williams runner this week will be The Grand Visir. The nine-year-old will be the ride of Richard Kingscote. He was last seen in action over two miles at Ascot in mid-August, as he finished third of ten in the Shergar Cup.
However, the fact that you have to go back to June 2019 for his last win would be a major concern this week. The Grand Visir does have plenty of previous track experience, including a sixth place finish in this race in 2021 behind Stradivarius. Huge outsider.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/10/23 | NMK | 18 | Sft | 9-0 | 12 |
| 30/09/23 | CHS | 18.5 | Sft | 9-4 | 7 |
| 15/09/23 | DON | 18 | Sft | 9-7 | 4 |
| 12/08/23 | ASC | 16 | GS | 9-8 | 3 |
| 04/08/23 | GOO | 20.5 | Sft | 9-4 | 5 |
Aidan O’Brien’s globe-trotting Broome will be making his 37th career start this week, but he has plenty to find on Coltrane on home soil.
The seven-year-old finished over eight lengths behind his rival in the G2 Lonsdale Cup, and was also seventh in the G1 Goodwood Cup, and tenth of 12 in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup.
However, he certainly enjoys these longer trips these days, evident from his win in Meydan in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup. But, it looks unlikely that the form with Coltrane will be reversed, even with Ryan Moore in the saddle.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/10/23 | ASC | 15.5 | GS | 9-9 | 6 |
| 15/09/23 | DON | 18 | Sft | 9-7 | 3 |
| 25/08/23 | YOR | 16.5 | GF | 9-5 | 5 |
| 01/08/23 | GOO | 16 | GS | 9-11 | 7 |
| 22/06/23 | ASC | 20 | GF | 9-4 | 10 |
Hollie Doyle will once again take the ride on Trueshan this week for trainer Alan King. The seven-year-old is without a win in two starts this season, which includes finishing fourth or six in the G3 Sagaro Stakes behind Coltrane.
However, Doncaster is a track that often brings out the best in Trueshan, evident 12 months ago, as he beat Coltrane by a neck. But, the Doyle mount hasn’t looked the force of old this season, and connections will be hoping that recent wind surgery will have a positive impact.
Andrew Balding’s runner in the Doncaster Cup this week is Coltrane, who will be the ride of Oisin Murphy. The six-year-old has been in solid form throughout the season, and overturned the form with Courage Mon Ami over two miles and a half on his previous start by landing the G2 Lonsdale Cup.
He was excellent on that day, as he quickly put the back-to-back defeats in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup and G1 Goodwood Cup behind him. Coltrane was second in this race 12 months ago, beaten by a neck by Trueshan. However, unless there is considerably rain fall before Friday, there is a slim chance of a repeat result.
Sweet William is the most fascinating runner in the Doncaster Cup this week, as the four-year-old was a winner over a mile and four at Doncaster earlier this season by over four lengths in the Takepayments Novice Stakes.
That was followed by a solid win in handicap company over an extended two miles, and victory in the Summer Handicap at Goodwood over a mile and six.
He returns back to a longer trip this week after finishing a strong second behind Absurde by half a length in the Ebor Handicap. The John & Thady Gosden runner will be the ride of Robert Havlin.
