Scott Dobson Memorial Doncaster Stakes [Listed]

                                                   Scott Dobson Memorial Doncaster Stakes


Stubbs- Danehill Dancer Colt out of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone. Was a beaten favourite in the Coventry Stakes having won his two races before that and the form of all three races does look slightly questionable. However this looks a suitable opportunity to get back on track after a four month break. Likely to enjoy the drop back to Listed class and looks the one to beat despite shouldering a 3lb penalty

Aeolus- By Araafa but still an impressive winner of his last two by a total of ten lengths. The runner up from his last victory has since franked the form with two facile victories, the lastest when defying a mark of 92 in a Newbury nursery. Clearly on the upgrade and cannot be ruled out for all that he will need a career best

Brave Boy- Two time winner who looked a useful sort when winning back to back races at Nottingham on his second and third starts. Was slightly disappointing on his all weather debut, bred for the surface, on his penultimate start. Before running okay without threatening the first two, winner useful, on his last start in the Rockingham. Connections reach for the visor today and it will have to eek out some improvement if he is to go close here

Deeds Not Words- Like so many from the stable has been very busy in his first year of racing. Looked ordinary on his first 6 starts before improving 20lbs when rattling off a hat trick on firm ground. Stepped up in class when taking in the Listed Two Year Old Trophy last time but finished well down the field. Always possible to forgive a poor run in that race, but still looks up against it against this opposition

Night of Thunder- Dubawi Colt out of a Galileo mare and looked to relish the conditions when a wide margin winner of a soft ground maiden at Goodwood on debut. Travelled like a good horse that day and it is unsurprising he steps up in class here. Likely to enjoy the ground conditions and would be foolish to underestimate

Rufford- The highest rated horse in the field who ran his best race by a margin on penultimate start when 2nd in the Mill Reef, his only start in soft ground to date. Was below that form last time when behind Brave Boy under faster conditions in the Rockingham. Ground should be ideal but still likely to be overbet for a horse who has only a maiden victory to his name

Verdict- Stubbs may have some questions to answer having not ran in over 4 months and having to shoulder a 3lb penalty against some useful rivals. But it must not be forgetten that he was Ballydoyles number one going into the Coventry and went off a short priced favourite for that race when finishing a respectable 6th. Dropping down in class here he can shoulder his listed winners penalty and get his career back on track. Once raced Night of Thunder may prove the biggest danger, especially if it comes up soft. Brave Boy can prove best of the rest

1 Stubbs
2 Night of Thunder
3 Brave Boy