Our columnist has a horse-by-horse guide to his team for Doncaster on Thursday including Ventura Diamond.
1.40 Thursday – Credible
This is a decent nursery – as it should be for a £50,000 pot. This filly is tough and genuine and it was good to see her get her head in front at Hamilton last time. Six and a half furlongs will suit her and as long as the ground doesn’t get too quick I’d expect her to go well.
1.40 Thursday – Samara Bay
She’s got to step up in what she’s done before but is a filly who knows how to win which is always a plus. Again I think the trip will really suit her and while she’s six pounds higher than when winning at Catterick last time, we are taking five off with Ray Dawson.
1.40 Thursday – Ventura Diamond
If I had to pick one of my three in this – which is difficult as they’d all have a chance – then it would be this filly. She had three quick runs and I’m pleased to have been able to give her a bit of a break since Newmarket for this. The handicapper has given her a chance and she should be very competitive from a mark of 80.
2.10 Thursday – Mere Green
She’s got to completely step up on what she’s done before to be competitive in a May Hill Stakes but we know she gets the trip well after he run at Haydock last time. If was in the first three that would be a brilliant result.
2.40 Thursday – Bankrolled
I was a little disappointed with her second run at Naas but the ground was desperate that day and she didn’t really handle it. She was badly drawn too and had to come across to the stands’ side group so I’m prepared to put a line through the run.
She’d shaped very well on debut at York and six-and-a-half furlongs here will be right up her street. She has no weight on her back either and while the likes of Yazaman will be hard to beat, my filly could go well.
3.45 Thursday – National League
It hasn’t really happened for him in three starts this year. Seven furlongs at Doncaster will be ideal for him and he’s working well – as he has all season. I’d be hopeful – rather than confident – of a good run.
1.40 Wednesday – Gumdrop
He won well on his handicap debut at Chester. The handicapper has put him up nine pounds as a result and this is a better race but I think there’s more to come and the step up to seven furlongs should suit. If it does he’ll run a big race.
2.40 Wednesday – Defence Treaty
He’s been very disappointing this year and just hasn’t fired yet. On his best form he’d have a big chance in this but needs to bounce back from another below-par run here last time.
2.40 Wednesday – Lexington Warfare
I thought he ran a good, solid race when second to Mustaqbal at Ripon last week. Before that his best form had been on the all-weather so it was good to see him run so well on turf and if he’s in the same form here then he’ll be there or thereabouts.
