Friday’s Doncaster Cup betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
Eight runners line up for the Group 2 Doncaster Cup as Willie Mullins sends a team of three
WILLIE MULLINS has never won the Doncaster Cup, but looks to have his best shot to date with three of the eight runners.
Thomas Hobson was second in the race last year and is sitting at the top of the betting for this year's renewal.
1. Algometer (5-1) - David Simcock/Oisin Murphy
Hasn't quite lived up to early expectations but a solid stayer nonetheless and will be a factor in this if getting home.
Has always travelled as though he'll get a staying trip, but the proof will be in the pudding.
Versatile on the ground and one of the classier types in the field.
2. Jukebox Jive (50-1) - Anthony Honeyball/Joe Fanning
Rank outsider and has a lot to find on the race terms but in a weak Group 2 you can't fault connections for having a swing.
A proven stayer but doesn't win much on the flat.
Put up a career best at Listed level at Sandown but still needs to step up on that.
Anthony Honeyball on Jukebox Jive
"He's got a fair bit to find and will be the outsider of the lot, but I'm not fazed by that. He's a good solid stayer with a very good attitude.
"We go there thinking he will have more of a squeak than his price suggests and that he will outrun his odds.
"We can't explain why he ran so moderately at Ascot last time, when we really fancied him to run well and he went off favourite.
"He seems absolutely fine and this was always the plan afterwards. He'd been in good form before Ascot and hopefully he will be more competitive this time."
3. Lord Yeats (10-1) - Jedd O'Keeffe/Graham Lee
Has been tried in better races most of the season and must have a big shout here.
Arguably comes into this as one of the only horses in good form and will be a big player if he gets this new trip.
Was second to Order Of St George on his reappearance and fifth to Vazirabad on his second start. Those runs arguably set the recent standard.
Jedd O'Keeffe on Lord Yeats
"We are going into the unknown trip-wise, but we'd be very hopeful he will stay.
"He's definitely bred to stay and when we ran him over a mile and seven furlongs in France earlier in the year he had no trouble staying. I remember PJ McDonald saying afterwards we could go as far as we want with him.
"We were thrilled with way he ran in Ebor last time, but the ground was too lively for him to be at his best. He will be a level above that on slower ground. We don't need it to be soft or heavy, but the slower side of good is definitely preferable for him."
4. Max Dynamite (11-1) - Willie Mullins/Andrea Atzeni
Proven stayer but hasn't been at his best so far this season. Was well beaten at York when weak in the market last time out.
But Atzeni is a positive booking and you can't ever rule a Mullins runner out in such a weak race.
Will get home no issue and if the race falls apart he could well be the one to pick up the pieces.
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer, on Max Dynamite and Thomas Hobson
"Thomas Hobson and Max Dynamite have both been a bit below par since coming back from Melbourne, but this looks a lot more open than they have contested so far so we are hoping they can return to form.
"We know Thomas Hobson acts on the track, as he has run well on it before. I suppose he is our best chance and he has Ryan Moore on board, but they are three good horses on their day."
5. Renneti (16-1) - Willie Mullins/Frankie Dettori
Another of the Willie Mullins trio. Ran a huge race at Royal Ascot but hasn't backed it up since.
Gets the trip but at his age, you have to worry about his previous two outings when beaten a combined 22 lengths.
Officially third best on ratings, but will need a repeat of his Ascot run to figure here.
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer, on Renneti
"Obviously Renneti is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character. We thought he ran a very good race at Royal Ascot and hopefully he will run like that again. These extreme trips on the Flat seem to suit him, but it all depends which Renneti turns up when the stalls open."
6. Saunter (8-1) - Ian Williams/James Doyle
Hat tick bid was foiled in the Ebor at York but still ran respectably in ninth.
Could be more to come yet, but this is another step up in trip and has stamina to prove.
The yard know how to train a stayer though and he had a few others he could have pitched in here.
Ian Williams on Saunter
"It was soft when he won the November Handicap and probably plenty quick enough for him in the Ebor.
"He's up in distance, but I wouldn't have entered him if I didn't think the trip was within his compass. I'd be happy enough he will stay.
"Stradivarius is spending his million quid and it's a relatively small entry for the race. It's a big ask, but I'd be confident of him putting up a reasonable performance."
7. Sheikhzayedroad (7-2) - David Simcock/Martin Harley
Put up arguably a career best in Meydan back in March but has been terrible in two runs since.
Won this in 2016 though and a repeat of his second to Vazirabad would be plenty good enough to take this.
On a going day could be the one to beat.
8. Thomas Hobson (9-4) - Willie Mullins/Ryan Moore
Second in this last year and Mullins' leading horse of his trio.
Not in the same form this season though and needs to bounce back to justify his price in this.
Confidence is high though and he's been solid in the betting throughout the build up.