We are set for an intriguing renewal of the Doncaster Cup on Friday afternoon as six go to post for the 2m 1f 197y. John & Thady Gosden has a strong hand with Gregory and Sweet William dominating the betting, while last year’s winner Trueshan will look to retain his crown in a race that is devoid of Kyprios, who remains in Ireland for the Irish St Leger. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers previews the Group 2 race here and picks out his 1-2-3 for the contest.
SWEET WILLIAM
(Robert Havlin/John & Thady Gosden)
Beaten one-and-a-quarter lengths by Trueshan in this race last season, Sweet William showed when winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park that he is a top notch stayer, but he’s always fallen below the top level. A well beaten third in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the five-year-old then chased home Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup last time out. This is top notch staying form and without Kyprios here then he’s entitled to be a well-fancied runner and sets the standard.
GREGORY
(James Doyle/John & Thady Gosden)
Gregory hasn’t tasted victory since winning the 2023 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, where he shaped like the next British staying star. However, he’s disappointed in a number of big races since that outing and will need to bounce back here. He ran no sort of race in the Gold Cup when finishing seventh, while he was just touched off by Sweet William into third in the Goodwood Cup. He failed to quicken up well enough in the Lonsdale Cup at York last time out, so a step back up in trip is the order of the day to try and get him back in the winner’s enclosure.
TRUESHAN
(Hollie Doyle/Alan King)
Legendary stayer Trueshan will aim to retain the title he won in fine fashion 12 months ago and Alan King’s eight-year-old will be a popular choice amongst punters for this event. Connections are sure to want some rain to hit Doncaster in the lead-up to the race, as every drop will aid his chances, but he showed when winning the Coral Marathon at Sandown that he still can deliver the goods on his day, so warrants respect. He failed to figure in the Goodwood Cup last time out, but this is an easier assignment and he has to be on the shortlist.
THE FIELD
Aidan O’Brien last won this race way back in 2008, but he will saddle Point Lonsdale, who was a warm favourite for the Lonsdale Cup last time out at York, but failed to deliver the goods and was a well beaten sixth. A class act on his day the Ballydoyle raider could just find the distance a bit too much for him here. A winner of the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot at the start of the season, Coltrane has been a regular in high-class staying races, but is often the bridesmaid. A real consistent performer that is sure to put up a bold bid, but he’s likely to be fighting it out for minor honours. Wise Eagle completes the sextet and the seven-year-old was way down the field in the Ebor Handicap last time out, so a step back up to Group company should prove too much.
VERDICT
John & Thady Gosden’s pair of Sweet William and GREGORY should dominate this contest and it’s the latter that makes most appeal as if he can look to make it a real stamina-sapping event then he could well just outbattle his stablemate in the closing stages. Trueshan blows more cold than hot these days, so it’s wise to stick with Coltrane to chase the Gosden duo home and grab third place.
2024 Doncaster Cup Predicted 1-2-3
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.