Doncaster promises a fine day of action

The Racing Post Trophy (3.05) is at the top of the shop and the Aiden O’Brien-trained Kingsbarns is sure to take plenty of beating.

The once-raced youngster was hugely impressive on his sole start in Ireland, so much so that he seems to have jumped to near the top of the Ballydoyle juvenile order of merit.

He has reportedly impressed his trainer at home since then and although this fine-looking specimen has plenty to find on the form book, I suspect he will prove too strong for the likes of Autumn Stakes winner Trading Leather and the hugely likeable Steeler.

There are plenty of tough handicaps for us to get our teeth into during the afternoon and I am fairly sweet on the chances of Right-Step (each-way) off an attractive mark of 86 in the 2.00.

That’s the kind of mark he won the City and Suburban at Epsom off in the spring.

At around 20/1 he could put in a huge run while the likes of Scrapper Smith, Fulgur and the lightly raced Proofreader should also go well in a very competitive renewal.

The main handicap sprint of the day at 2.30 looks equally difficult to solve but I expect Captain Dunne to go well from what could be a good stall position in box number 17.

Connections reverted to different hold-up tactics last time out at York and it nearly paid off as he came home spitting fire behind Pearl Blue.

The progressive soft ground sprinter Jack Dexter and Steps look the biggest dangers in a race in which you will need luck in running.

Newbury stages a cracking card with the Horris Hill (2.15) and the St Simon Stakes (2.45) the feature events. But I am going to sidestep those two races for betting purposes and instead concentrate on the Class Two mile and a quarter handicap at 3.45.

This looks a really good chance for Credit Swap to return to winning ways after being fairly lightly raced on the flat over the past 18 months.

His mark of 89 is fine and he should get the all-important pace in the race he so badly needs to go close here.

I fancy we shall also see a big run from Circumvent, back on turf and close to his last winning mark when he won a very competitive event at Goodwood and I also believe that Tameen will run a big race at a price as well.

Elsewhere, take a second look at Mahogany Blaze to run a big race in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (3.30) from the foot of the handicap, while the evening meet at Wolverhampton throws up two likely bets in the form of City of the Kings each-way at 7.15 and Leviathan at 8.15.