Last year’s one-two Coltrane and Trueshan are among five runners declared for the Betfred Doncaster Cup on Friday.
Having kicked off his campaign with victory in the Sagaro Stakes before being placed in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, Andrew Balding’s Coltrane got back on the winning trail with a typically determined display in last month’s Lonsdale Cup at York.
The six-year-old inflicted a shock defeat on the Alan King-trained Trueshan in the Doncaster Cup 12 months ago and the pair are set to renew rivalry over two and a quarter miles on Town Moor.
Proven mud lover Trueshan has not been seen in competitive action since finishing fourth behind Coltrane in the Sagaro, having again sidestepped the Gold Cup on account of unsuitable ground.
The seven-year-old has since undergone wind surgery and does at least look to get his requisite cut in the ground as he looks to turn the tables on his old rival.
Sweet William is an interesting contender for John and Thady Gosden, having completed a hat-trick of wins before being touched off by Absurde when favourite for the Ebor at York three weeks ago.
Aidan O’Brien’s Broome and the Ian Williams-trained The Grand Visir complete the quintet.
Big Evs heads 12 juveniles declared for the Group Two Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes.
Mick Appleby’s speedy colt landed the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and the Molecomb at Goodwood before having a crack at his elders in the Nunthorpe at York. Better will be expected as he returns to his own age group at Doncaster.
His rivals include Kevin Philippart De Foy’s impressive Roses Stakes scorer Inquisitively and Karl Burke’s Kylian, who looks to bounce back from a disappointing showing in the Gimcrack.
The Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes promises to be an informative affair, with Balding’s York nursery winner Gushing Gold, Aidan O’Brien’s Convivial Maiden victor Battle Cry and the Owen Burrows-trained course and distance winner War Rooms among 10 hopefuls.
