Doncaster preview: Flying Childers Stakes (13.55)
Published:
The Hannon yard have a good record in the Flying Childers Stakes and Gutaifan can take advantage of a drop in class to further enhance it with victory in this year’s renewal of the Group 2 contest at Doncaster (13.55)
They have won the 5f contest five times, including two of the last three runnings, and in Gutaifan have a progressive juvenile who brings the strongest form into the race.
The son of Dark Angel shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on debut before going on to win his next two starts at Salisbury and Chester by narrow margins.
Gutaifan then completed the hat-trick when landing the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte, before a career-best effort last time out when runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville.
He was beaten 1 3/4 lengths to the very exciting Shalaa in the latter, and although no match for the easy winner, stuck gamely to the task.
The pair also pulled five lengths clear of the field to give the form a rock solid look, and it was a performance which earned Gutaifan a rating of 114.
That gives Gutaifan 8lb and upwards in hand on his rivals and is going to make him very hard to beat in the hands of Frankie Dettori now eased in grade.
If Gutaifan fails to live up to expectations then Irish raider Bear Cheek could be the one to take advantage.
The Ger Lyon’s trained filly was highly-touted before winning impressively on debut at Naas, travelling strongly at the head of affairs and showing a nice turn of foot to score by three lengths.
Bear Cheek then took the step up into Group 3 company in her stride when readily beating Independence Day by 1 1/2 lengths at the Curragh. It was a most taking performance, and the daughter of Kodiac clearly has a huge engine.
This does represent a big step up in class, but Lyons does not send over many runners and Bear Cheek remains open to bags more progress and is held in the high regard.
Coral’s top tip: Gutaifan looks a cut-above her rivals and rates a solid bet to land the spoils for team Hannon
