2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips and Preview by Dave Stevos
2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips and Preview for ITV Live Races
Friday was a disaster, bar a good run from Measure Of Magic. Hochfeld went to the front as I hoped but his jockey didn’t make enough use of him. Edgewood never came out of 3rd gear and he will go very close at Ayr. Martin Dwyer inexplicably had Island Brave just off the pace, strange tactics for a hold up sort. Pat Dobbs also had Fountain Cross wide and prominent, just like he was when he ran poorly at Ripon. Sometimes jockeys would drive you mad! Surely things can only get better on Saturday… Check out Dave Stevos’ 2020 Doncaster Day 4 tips and preview below. Tips for Leopardstown will be posted later.
2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips: 1.50pm – Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
Only 7 go to post in the first live race of the day on ITV on St Leger Day. Chindit won very well in a race that has produced two Listed winners last time at Ascot. That made it 2/2 for the son of Wootton Bassett and he deserves to be at the head of the market. Albasheer dotted up on debut for Owen Burrows, beating a few decent types over today’s C&D. This is his first run since (49 day break) and the ground has come right for him.
Devious Company has rock solid placed form at this level. He has had 6 runs already though this term and this could be a race too far. Spycatcher let the Acomb form down here on Friday but he was far too keen. Broxi ran a cracking race behind him at York and both he and State Of Rest look like the two that might be overpriced. However, only 7 go to post and with just 2 places on offer I am sitting this one out. Chindit should be tough to beat though.
2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips: No Bet
Doncaster: 2.25pm – Portland Handicap (Class 2)
On the evidence of the last couple of days it seems a low draw is a positive on the straight course. The one I like from a decent starting berth in stall 7 is Han Solo Berger. This 5yo has been in solid form this season, mostly at a lower level than today. However, he caught the eye when running a big race in a class 2 at York (5.5f gd) on his penultimate start. George Wood probably was a bit further back than he planned and added to that he didn’t get the clearest of runs either.
When the daylight came the son of Lord Shanakill made up plenty of ground in the closing stages. He was only 4.5L behind the winner and 2.75L behind Arecibo, who is a 13/2 shot today. Arecibo is a couple of pounds better off at the weights than at York but Han Solo Berger is as big as 33/1 with some firms and when you consider he didn’t get a clear run that price looks wrong. You can get 28/1 about 6 places and at those odds, Han Solo Berger is the e/w NAP of the day at Doncaster.
2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips: Han Solo Berger e/w @ 28/1 NAP (6 Places)
2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips: 3.00pm – Park Stakes (Group 2)
Just 8 go to post for this 7f Group 2 heat and Limato would be a popular winner. This admirable gelding is not as good as he once was, but he is still very capable at just below the top level. He hosed up last time in a Newmarket G3 on quick ground and 7f is his optimum trip. Wichita needs to get back to the form of his neck second to Kameko in the Guineas. His last two runs were poor and his supporters will be hoping Frankie helps him to rediscover his mojo.
One Master came up short behind Safe Voyage at York but he is better than that. This is his time of year, though connections would likely prefer soft ground. One that will appreciate the return to a sounder surface is Urban Icon. He was well beat last time at Goodwood in a G2 but the ground was soft. He is a different horse on a sounder surface. The form of his Summer Mile G2 5th behind Mohaather reads well in the context of this race and he was bang there in that contest before tiring in the last 100 yards. This 7f test will suit much better and at odds of 16/1 Urban Icon is the each way selection.
2020 Doncaster Day 4 Tips: Urban Icon e/w @ 16/1 NB
Doncaster: 3.35pm – St Leger Stakes (Group 1)
The final classic of the season and the horse I would love to see win this is Pyledriver. He has made us a fortune this year and it would be wonderful to see him strike a blow for small owners everywhere. The son of Harbour Watch came from humble beginnings but bar a non-event of a run in the Derby, he has looked every inch a superstar this season. for William Muir and Martin Dwyer.
His smooth success at Ascot was put down to his rivals lacking race sharpness in some quarters. There were no such misgivings at York when he hosed up by nearly 4L. He wasn’t stopping at the finish that day and it looks like he will stay the 14f St Leger trip. 7/2 looks a more than fair price and I hope he does the business.
Interesting Outsiders
One of two that looks overpriced in this is Sunchart for the Slatterys. I flagged up Pista as having an excellent chance here earlier this week on the back of her 0.5L win against Sunchart at Leopardstown. She made no mistake in the G2 Park Hill, scoring by almost 2L, and she was getting 5lb from the Slattery horse at Leopardstown. Irish Derby 3rd Dawn Patrol was back in 3rd that day too so it looks serious form. Sunchart is an uncomplicated ride, he is proven at the trip and at 66/1 he should make a bold bid.
Berkshire Rocco is the other one I like at big odds. Andrew Balding’s charge was behind Pyledriver last time but a slow start means his effort can be marked up. His previous efforts behind Santiago and English King were excellent and he will be at home on the ground and at the distance. Andrea Atzeni has won this race twice and his booking catches the eye. He has had 19 rides for Balding, resulting in 6 wins and 8 top 4 finishes. He hasn’t much to find with some of the shorter priced horses and at 33/1 he is also worth backing each way for small stakes.
