Jockey James Doyle may have completed the Guineas double at Newmarket last month, but the rider will not be continuing his Classic winning streak in Friday’s Epsom Oaks, instead heading north to Doncaster for a full book of rides on their evening card. Check out our thoughts on his hopefuls here, along with Hollywoodbet‘s new customer offer of £20 In Free Bets when you bet £10.
FIRST RULER – (5.33pm, Weldricks Pharmacy Supporting WPCC Novice Stakes) 11/2
The first of James Doyle’s six rides on Doncaster’s Friday card comes in the 1m novice stakes, where he partners up with Charlie Appleby’s FIRST RULER.
This Dubawi colt was the first foal out of US Grade 1 winner Zhukova, herself a half-sister to the connection’s exceptional Ghaiyyath. First Ruler was sent off 100/30 for a Newmarket novice on debut last month, where he was ultimately beaten 13l into third under 7lb claimer Harry Davies.
First Ruler was far too keen that day and paid for it late on, so he could do with settling better here under James Doyle. The larger field could help in that regard, and given his pedigree and connections he’s almost certain to come good at some stage – check the market for clues on what to expect.
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AL AMEEN – (6.06pm, Novus Property Solutions Supporting WPCC Handicap) 13/2
AL AMEEN was bought out of Shadwell for just 20,000 guineas, having cost 145,000 guineas as a yearling. He never made the track for previous connections but has run the seven times since joining George Boughey, landing a Southwell maiden on New Year’s Day.
The application of cheekpieces appeared to help Al Ameen when a close third at Ascot last month, but he failed to replicate that showing when only midfield in a Sunday Series handicap next time out.
However, there were potential excuses for that showing, as Al Ameen was disadvantaged by racing in the rear from a stands side draw (three of the first four home drawn in stalls 6 or lower). He steps up to 7f for the first time on Friday afternoon, and James Doyle takes over in the saddle.
This represents a drop in class from Al Ameen’s York run, so it would be no shock to see him bounce back to form.
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DHAHABI – (6.41pm, Weston Park Cancer Support On 01145533330 Handicap) 5/2
You won’t get many more expensive horses running on Oaks Day than DHAHABI, who cost a pretty penny at 3,100,000 guineas at the Tattersalls yearling sales back in 2019 – with his half-brother the exceptional four-time Group 1 winner Golden Horn.
Dhahabi has failed to live up to his illustrious sibling, albeit has been limited to just four starts on the track, missing 567 days off the track after finishing a close third in the 2020 Group 3 Autumn Stakes.
Although only third in a Newmarket handicap on reappearance earlier this season, Dhahabi ran better than the bare form and showed at the very minimum he was still capable of winning races.
He is entitled to strip fitter for that comeback run, and trainer Charlie Appleby sends him north on Friday to take in Doncaster’s feature 1m handicap. A mark of 102 may be within reach for Dhahabi but he does look plenty short enough in the betting considering that there are some smart handicappers in this field.
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TANMAWWY – (7.16pm, Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Supporting WPCC Handicap) 3/1
The Charles Hills stable is in absolutely scintillating form and that suggests that James Doyle could have picked up a handy ride here in TANMAWWY.
This Invincible Spirit gelding is 2-3 in his career to date, a Leicester novice sixth splitting victories at Haydock and Windsor.
Tanmawwy’s most recent success came on handicap debut, when coming with a strong challenge to run down leader Spring Bloom, who has since finished a close second back at Windsor. The front two pulled 3l clear of the remainder that day, o a 5lb rise does not look unjustified, and given Tanmawwy is a relative of the stable’s own sprinting superstar Muhaarar, he has the scope to rate a good deal higher yet.
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CAESAR’S PALACE – (7.51pm, GXO Fighting Cancer With WPCC Handicap) 11/1
James Doyle teams up with the Crisfords for the ride on CAESAR’S PALACE in Doncaster’s 1m4f handicap.
This Holy Roman Emperor gelding finished no better than sixth in three maidens at 2yo, but on the most recent of those showings, he wasn’t beaten far by Saturday’s Derby hopeful Walk Of Stars.
The switch to handicaps and winter gelding operation brought about immediate improvement from Caesar’s Palace when runner-up at Nottingham on seasonal debut, but he was nowhere near that level at Haydock subsequent.
Connections put the soft ground down as the excuse for that Haydock showing (for all that he had run with credit on a soft surface as a juvenile), so back on better ground this evening it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see an improved showing, for all that bookmakers feel that he is the least likely winner of Doyle’s six Friday mounts.
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WARREN POINT – (8.26pm, Thank You Weston Park Cancer Centre Novice Stakes) 5/6
James Doyle’s final Friday runner is WARREN POINT, who takes up an engagement in Doncaster’s penultimate 1m2f novice stakes.
Charlie Appleby’s 3yo is the second foal out of French Listed winner Gaterie, and he was gelded prior to making his racecourse debut in a Newmarket novice last month.
Well backed in the market, Warren Point justified the support to run out a neck winner from the well-bred Juddmonte runner Special Envoy – who was benefitting from Benoit De La Sayette’s 7lb claim.
Warren Point has a penalty to carry for that success, but he should have benefitted from the initial experience and is the shortest price of James Doyle’s six rides.
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