Doncaster St Leger Meeting 2011 - Doncaster Cup

2.25 Doncaster

Stobart Doncaster Cup (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) Winner £56,710

Advice: 1 pt win Opinion Poll (2/1 Hills)

Blue Bajan: Ran as well as he has ever done when second in 1m6f Yorkshire Cup in second run back from over a year off and travelled like a dream when landing Henry II Stakes at Sandown; No shame in two efforts since that but ran very flat last time out and no reason given for that.

Opinion Poll: Made steady progress last season when winning Group 2 event and threatened to take a Group 1 last season, with creditable efforts in top staying races; Fourth in Longchamp Group 2 more than satisfactory effort and career best when second in Gold Cup last time out, suffering a slightly trouble passage; Followed that up with perfectly times challenge to win Goodwood and now Yorkshire Cups and big chance of landing hat – trick here.

Bergo: Has fair bit of class and stamina in abundance, as he showed when winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and good runs in UAE and Goodwood/Yorkshire Cup show that he retains that talent but this likely to be too quick for him all over again.

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Tactican: Improved in leaps and bounds this year, following up second in big handicap with Ebor Trial win / Second in big race itself; That form is more than good enough for him to take a hand but extra distance is a blank spot.

Tastahil: Needs an easy lead to show his best but few good enough to ass him when he gets it, as shown by his 5 lengths Group 3 win last October and good seasonal reappearance behind Overturn under big weight at Chester; Pulled up at Ascot and then disappointed against latest but if back to best could prove difficult to catch from front.

Dayia: Reappearance fourth in Queen Alexandra was very promising but really disappointing last time out and this too good for her.

Motrice: Highly-progressive filly, having won 3 on trot over 1m6f when coming a good third this event last year (form given major boosts since) & again progression even when well beaten behind Tastahil in backend Group 3; Raced as if all the ability was there in Ascot Gold Cup and steady build upto latest win suggests she’s still improving; Rates a danger.

Saddler’s Rock: Probably should have won Irish St Ledger Trial when blocked for a run last time out but doubts about how that form stacks up in this contest (especially with the hot favourite likely to have been unfit); Should be respected being trainer’s second (Alanza was their winner yesterday) runner only in the UK this season.

VERDICT: OPINION POLL has been thoroughly excellent this season and can complete his hat – trick at the main experience of Motrice and Tactician, although Blue Bajan and Saddler’s Rock must be respected.