Stradivarius headlines Doncaster Cup possibles

Top-class renewal of Town Moor feature in prospect.

Superstar stayer Stradivarius heads 16 high-class entries for Friday’s Doncaster Cup.

John and Thady Gosden’s popular gelding could bid for a second victory in the Town Moor showpiece, having struck gold in 2019.

The seven-year-old was last seen bagging his third win in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month, adding to his collection of big-race victories which includes three Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, four Goodwood Cups and two Yorkshire Cups.

Stradivarius was made to pull out all the stops by Spanish Mission on his latest appearance, coming out on top by only a head after a titanic tussle on the Knavesmire, although Andrew Balding’s charge will not renew rivalry on this occasion.

Alan King has entered Goodwood Cup winner Trueshan, while Henry de Bromhead’s mare Lismore would be a fascinating challenger. She has not been seen since winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May.

Further competition comes in the shape of three strong Joseph O’Brien representatives – Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment, Master Of Reality and the prolific Baron Samedi.

David Simcock’s Rodrigo Diaz is being aimed at the Melbourne Cup after his runner-up finish in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes and could feature – as could Tony Mullins’ Gold Cup second Princess Zoe.

The main supporting race on day three of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival is the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes.

Chipotle returns to the scene of his Brocklesby Stakes victory
Chipotle returns to the scene of his Brocklesby Stakes victory (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

The five-furlong contest gives the opportunity for speedy juveniles to prove their worth at Group Two level and an interesting renewal looks in store, with Richard Hannon’s Prix Morny fourth Armor setting the standard.

Corazon was a Group Three winner in France during the week for George Boughey and has been given an entry, as has Chipotle by Eve Johnson Houghton. The youngster won the Brocklesby on the opening day of the season at Doncaster and had his latest start against his elders in the Nunthorpe Stakes.

Also on the card is the Listed Cazoo Flying Scotsman Stakes – won by none other than Frankel in 2010, when it was a conditions race.

Among the 16 possibles is the Richard Hannon-trained Razzle Dazzle, who impressed in victory last time out at Newmarket.

Hugo Palmer went to York’s Ebor meeting with high hopes for Dubawi Legend and he could bid to bounce back after his disappointing Acomb run.

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