Sokudo Could Spring A Surprise At Doncaster

Nakeeta may well have finished well beaten in the Melbourne Cup, but turning in I thought he had a massive chance and at least he got our pulses racing for a few moments! He travelled very well into the race from a much better position than last year but he just couldn’t sustain his effort.
 

Madeleine Tylicki has just one runner at Doncaster.

On Saturday the last main UK flat meeting of the year takes place at Doncaster and the ground is good. Very interestingly, Kildare based trainer Madeleine Tylicki sends Sokudo over for the 6f 2yo maiden at 12.20 and I think he could surprise with a big run at monster odds. This colt has run better than his form figures of 09 suggest on his two starts so far and he improved big time on his second outing at Naas.

He was clueless for Colin Keane at Cork on his debut in what has turned out to be a decent maiden, but he was given a good educational ride by Keane. Sokudo was slow from the gates and was detached 2nd last early on. When Keane went for him at around the 3f pole he was green as grass, but he did keep on to pass a couple of horses in the closing stages under hands and heels.

He ran again at Naas six days ago (6.5f yld), this time sporting blinkers with Leigh Roche on board. He was much more professional, breaking a lot better and though he faded late on, he showed up well for a long way and I think the return to better ground will suit this nicely bred son of  Bungle Inthejungle.

His Distorted Humour dam is a half sister to Outstrip, a son of Exceed And Excel who was a 2yo Breeders’ Cup Turf winner on firm as well as a winner of the Champagne Stakes here at Doncaster. Bungle Inthejungle is also a son of Exceed and Excel, so Sokudo is bred along very similar lines to Outstrip.

If his pedigree is anything to go by this fella will be at his best on good ground or quicker and with no rain forecast, he should get his ideal conditions at Doncaster. Tony Hamilton has been booked, the blinkers are removed and Sokudo has been handed a decent draw in stall 6. At odds of 66/1 I think he is well worth chancing each way for small stakes.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 12.20 DONCASTER-SOKUDO E/W @ 66/1