FIVE DECLARED AS COLTRANE GOES FOR BACK-TO-BACK BETFRED DONCASTER CUPS
13th September 2023 – Five declarations have been received for the Betfred Doncaster Cup (Group 2) at Doncaster on Friday, day two of the Betfred St Leger Festival, as the Andrew Balding trained Coltrane bids for a second successive win in the feature race.
Coltrane has been in fine form this season, having been placed in both the Ascot Gold Cup (Group 1) and Qatar Goodwood Cup (Group 1) before getting his nose in front in the Lonsdale Cup (Group 2) at York’s Ebor meeting on his latest start. It has been 10 years since a horse has managed to win consecutive Betfred Doncaster Cups; Times Up doing so for trainer Ed Dunlop in 2012 and 2013.
Trainer Andrew Balding said:
“Coltrane is a real yard favourite and he has had a great season already. He won the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, he was then second in the Ascot Gold Cup, he ran very well at Goodwood and obviously won the Lonsdale Cup at York last time out. The great thing about him is he seems to be effective on any ground and in any sort of style of race, which is a big help for these stayers.
“He obviously won the race last year but he does carry a penalty this year which makes life a lot tougher. If Trueshan is anywhere near his best he will be a very tough opponent and obviously Sweet William is an improving horse as well. It is not a straightforward task but the horse is really well and he seems to thrive on his racing.”
Dual Group 1 winner, Trueshan, will be hoping to overturn the form with Coltrane having finished second behind him in the race last year. Trueshan has been enjoying a mid-season break following two subpar performances at the beginning of the season. However, previous victories in the Goodwood Cup (Group 1), the Prix du Cadran (Group 1), and two wins in the Long Distance Cup (Group 2) have cemented Trueshan’s status as a top-class stayer.
John and Thady Gosden know what it takes to win a Doncaster Cup having tasted success in the race with star stayer Stradivarius in both 2019 and 2021. They will be represented by the progressive Sweet William, who steps into group company for the first time having finished second in the Ebor Handicap last time out.
The globetrotting Broome, who finished down the field behind Coltrane at York is Aidan O’Brien’s sole entry whilst nine-year-old The Grand Visir, who will be running in his third Betfred Doncaster Cup, is also set to line up for trainer Ian Williams.
Latest Betfred Doncaster Cup odds:
6/4 Coltrane, 7/4 Trueshan, 100/30 Sweet William, 10/1 Broome, 28/1 The Grand Visir
Elsewhere on the card the £115,000 Betfred Flying Childers Stakes has attracted a competitive field of 12 runners, including the Michael Appleby trained Big Evs. The Molecomb stakes winner is one of a number of exciting young sprinters in the race, which includes the Andrew Balding trained Flora of Bermuda, who returns to the minimum trip having stepped up to six furlongs in the Lowther Stakes (Group 2) at York last time out.
Also among the declared runners is Royal Ascot winner Valiant Force for trainer Adrian Murray. The Norfolk Stakes winner was last seen finishing midfield in the Prix Morny (Group 1) at Deauville. Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Inquisitively, Karl Burke’s Kylian, and Graceful Thunder for George Boughey, are the three remaining listed winners all set to go to post in what is going to be a fascinating renewal of the Betfred Flying Childers Stakes.
Mark Pearson, Head of Media at Betfred, said:
“A small but select field will line up for the Group 2 Betfred Doncaster Cup with the Andrew Balding trained Coltrane the 6/4 favourite to retain his title. His old adversary Trueshan was the subject of support yesterday as the heavens opened and is next in at 7/4 to turn around the 2022 form while Ebor runner-up, Sweet William can be backed at 100/30 as he steps into group pattern company for the first time.
“Andrew Balding also holds the key to the following Betfred Mallard Handicap. He trains The Goat who bolted up by twelve lengths in the mud at Goodwood and was another well backed contender on account of the weather yesterday. He is the 9/4 favourite with York runner-up Bague D’or at 4/1 and Quantum Leap, representing Saturdays Group 1 winning combination of Ed Bethell and Callum Rodriguez, 12/1 to keep their good run of form going.”
Latest Betfred Mallard Handicap odds:
9/4 The Goat, 7/2 Real Dream, 4/1 Bague D’or, 7/1 Legendary Day, 11/1 Rhythmic Intent, 12/1 Quantum Leap, Island Brave, 14/1 Oneforthegutter.
