1:55 Doncaster
This Class 2 handicap over 6f 111y at Doncaster on good ground features a field of 14 useful performers, several with strong course records and proven ability at the trip. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Invictus Gold heading the ratings on 64, just ahead of Blue Brother on 62 and Crestofdistinction on 61. The pace shape points to a lone leader scenario with high confidence, suggesting an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for those coming from off the pace to overcome.
How the race shapes up
With only one clear front-runner and little pressure expected up front, Crestofdistinction looks likely to dictate matters from his low draw. The bulk of the field, including the selection Invictus Gold, prefer to be held up and produce their efforts late, setting up a race where the leader could get first run. The key question is whether any of the closers can bridge the gap on a day when the uncontested lead may prove hard to peg back.
The KTB Fit ranking
-
1Invictus Gold KTB Selection64/100
Invictus Gold arrives as a useful performer who has been consistent enough without winning of late, with form figures of -39280. He steps up to 6½f having scored at the trip before and looks at home on good ground with a win and two places from three runs. The Tom Clover yard maintains a solid 22% strike rate at Doncaster with an A/E of 1.29 from 51 runs, while Cieren Fallon posts a respectable 15% strike rate at the track from 154 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is drawn in stall 14 which may not be ideal given the shape. Overall he shapes as the one to beat in a race where his ability to handle the conditions stands out.
-
2Blue Brother62/100
Blue Brother is a useful performer who has been mixing it at a similar level this year, shown by recent form of 60-485. He drops back from a mile to a trip he has placed at before, though he has never raced on good ground and this is his first visit to Doncaster. The Hamad Al Jehani stable strikes at a solid 25% rate here with an A/E of 1.34 from 16 runs, and Callum Rodriguez maintains a respectable 15% strike rate from 165 rides at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be aiming to come from off the pace in what looks a stiff task given the unknowns on the ground and at the course.
-
3Crestofdistinction61/100
Crestofdistinction is a useful performer who has run to form over this trip before, winning twice from ten attempts at the distance. He has placed here at Doncaster and shown he handles good ground, though his recent efforts have been poor with form figures of 824-00. Dropping in class, the Jack Channon yard operates at a solid 16% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.1 from 51 runs, while David Probert has a 9% strike rate from 273 rides. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, he is drawn low in stall 2 and could take advantage of the lone leader pace shape to get first run.
-
4Lakers56/100
Lakers is a useful performer who has been consistent without winning lately and showed he handles this track when fifth here last time, with form figures of -33953. He steps up to 6½f having won three times at the trip from 12 starts so the extra yardage looks a fair question. The Kevin Philippart De Foy yard holds a solid 15% strike rate at Doncaster with an A/E of 1.03 from 41 runs, while Rowan Scott records a 10% strike rate from his 176 rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, he will need to time his run well if the leader gets away.
-
5Knebworth55/100
Knebworth is a useful performer who has won once from five runs at this track and arrives in decent form having won two of his last four starts, reflected in figures of 0-1120. He has placed on good ground and holds a solid record at today's trip having won six times over it. The Richard Hughes yard's modest 7% strike rate here with an A/E of 0.52 from 41 runs is a slight negative, while the claiming jockey Oliver Hoodless has no previous course experience. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, his course record adds interest in a race where his trip prowess could come to the fore.
-
6Completely Random54/100
Completely Random is a useful performer who has won four times at this trip and showed his best form when second at York last time. He handles good ground and has a solid recent record, though the step up from 6f today asks a fresh question, with the Harry Charlton yard striking at 13% here and Lewis Edmunds operating at 8%.
-
7Berkshire Whisper54/100
Berkshire Whisper is a useful performer who has been out of form on his last four starts and now tries first-time headgear. He steps up to 6½f having won at the trip before, though his only run on good ground brought no joy, with the Andrew Balding yard and Oisin Murphy both holding solid records at Doncaster.
-
8Indian Run53/100
Indian Run is a useful performer who has been in and out of form this year but showed his ability with two wins and a third in his last six runs. He steps up to 6½f for the first time in a while having won at the trip previously, though the wide draw in stall 13 is far from ideal, with both trainer and jockey holding modest records at Doncaster.
-
9Asuka52/100
Asuka is a useful performer with a strong recent record of 1-2-1-1-3 and proven ability at this trip, where she has won three of her four starts. She drops back from 7½f today having already shown she handles good ground well with two wins from as many runs, though both trainer and jockey have modest strike rates at Doncaster from large samples.
-
10Pietro50/100
Pietro is a fair performer who has been in and out this year with form figures of 2-1307. He has won twice on good ground from six attempts and has scored at this trip in the past though he drops back from 7f today. Only one run at Doncaster resulted in a midfield finish and the wide draw in stall 12 adds a negative.
-
11Justcallmepete49/100
Justcallmepete is a fair handicapper who has run well at this track with a second and fourth from two starts. He steps up to 6½f today having already won at the trip in the past though his recent form has been patchy with a string of lesser efforts mixed in. The trainer's modest 7% strike rate at Doncaster is offset by the jockey's solid 11% record from a small sample.
-
12Milford46/100
Milford is a fair performer who has been placed on good ground three times from six attempts and has also shown form over today's 6½f trip. He has run twice at Doncaster without winning, finishing no better than fourth, and steps up from 6f today, with the trainer holding an 8% strike rate here from 238 runs while the jockey is 4% from 23 rides.
-
13The Liffey45/100
The Liffey is a useful performer who arrives in solid form with a recent sequence of 151126. He drops back from a mile to a trip he has won at twice from nine attempts while his record on good ground reads a respectable two wins and two places from four starts. The trainer has only had two runners at Doncaster so the sample is too small to judge while the jockey operates at a 12% strike rate here from 299 rides.
-
14Oliver Show44/100
Oliver Show is a useful performer who has been consistent at this level lately and ran his best race of the season when second over course and distance in May. He drops back from a mile today having already won twice over this trip, though his record on good ground shows only one placing from eight starts, with both trainer and jockey holding modest records at Doncaster.
KTB verdict
Invictus Gold stands out as the KTB Selection. He has been consistent enough without winning lately yet steps up to a trip he has scored at before and looks at home on good ground with a win and two places from three runs, while the yard's solid record at Doncaster adds further appeal. The lone leader pace shape may make life tough for his held-up style, but his overall profile fits the race well. Main dangers include Crestofdistinction, who could take advantage of the uncontested lead from a low draw, and the in-form Knebworth, who boasts a good course record and strong trip statistics.
KTB Selection Invictus Gold
This is the narrative read of the 1:55 Doncaster. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Doncaster racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Doncaster results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to take the uncontested lead?
Crestofdistinction tends to make the running or race on the pace and is drawn low in stall 2.
How many wins has Knebworth recorded at this trip?
Knebworth has won six times over today's trip.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Doncaster with Invictus Gold?
Tom Clover has a 22% strike rate at Doncaster with an A/E of 1.29 from 51 runs.
Has Blue Brother raced on good ground before?
Blue Brother has no runs on good ground and is unproven on the surface.
Which horse has the best recent course and distance form?
Oliver Show ran his best race of the season when second over course and distance in May.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies