Royale Could Relish Quick Ground At Doncaster

Rake's Progress got the job done nicely for us on Tuesday, bouncing out and making all with the minimum of fuss under an aggressive ride from Jack Mitchell. I was hoping that he would be dropped in off a strong pace, and that his stamina would come into play in the closing stages. However, connections obviously didn't want to risk the race becoming a crawl, so they decided to take the bull by the horns and use the horse's stamina from the front. They obviously landed a nice touch, as he was sent off at just 9/2 (advised at 14/1).

Having pored through the cards I have decided to stick to the level for this Saturday's selection, although Bailey's Concerto very nearly made the cut. I think he is overpriced for the in form Dianne Sayer team at Aintree. He has a fitness edge on 5 of his rivals, who are all back from a break, he will benefit from the drop back down to 20f and he is on a mark off which he can be competitive. At 12/1 he has to have a solid each way chance.

However, at almost treble those odds I think there is a filly worthy of a small each way bet in the 12.40 at Doncaster. Queens Royale looks criminally overpriced  at 33/1, after a lovely debut run at odds of 66/1 when finishing 4th to a Godolphin horse that won a class 2 conditions race next time up. That race was run at Nottingham on good to soft ground (6f), and there is every reason to believe that Queens Royale can take another step forward on the forecast good to firm ground at Doncaster.

This daughter of Stimulation is a half sister to Sakhee's Return (rpr 93), and that gelding has won 3 of his 18 races for Tim Easterby, including a 6f maiden second time up on quick ground at 20/1. Her other half sister Be Royale has won 6 races, so she is out of a mare that has proved she can produce winners.

The booking of Robert Winston catches the eye, as he is 1/2 on 2yos for Appleby, and 3/24 overall (with 9 places for a 50% strike rate of hitting the frame). She gets a 5lb allowance from the boys, she has a grand draw in 3 and, at odds of 33/1, she is worthy of a small each way bet in a competitive looking maiden.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 12.40 DONCASTER: QUEENS ROYALE 33/1 E/W