Doncaster preview: Doncaster Cup (15.05)
Published:
Fun Mac has a progressive profile and can take another step forward to land the a weak renewal of the Group 2 Doncaster Cup (15.10).
The Hughie Morrison trained gelding had some solid form to his name last season, but looked a much improved performer when sauntering to a wide margin success on reappearance at Salisbury over 1m 6f.
After being held-up, Fun Mac made steady headway three from home before taking up the running two out and storming clear to win easing down by 11 lengths from William Of Orange.
The manner of the success suggested the four-year-old needed keeping firmly onside, and that view was confirmed when Fun Mac finished a 1/2 length second of 19 to Clondaw Warrior in the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes.
Fun Mac looked all over the winner until being headed deep inside the final furlong, and now meets the winner on 7lb better terms.
That should be more than enough for the son of Shirocco to gain his revenge, and Fun Mac has since gone on to finish a fair second in a Listed contest at Goowood when given a poor tactical ride.
Jockey Robert Havlin gave Fun Mac far too much to do in a slowly run race on soft ground, and the return to better going looks sure to suit.
It was also Fun Mac’s first run following a 74 day break and should have blown away the cobwebs to put him spot on for this.
Pallasator disappointed when a well beaten fourth last time out at Newbury but is a big player judged on his previous effort when fourth in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup.
The Sir Mark Prescott trained gelding held every chance at the furlong marker before being unable to find any extra close home and weakening to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Big Orange.
That form reads well in the context of this contest, and the strapping six-year-old also had some excellent efforts to his name last season.
They included a fine two length third to Forgotten Rules in a Group 2 contest at Ascot on Champions Day, and if running up to anywhere near that level Pallsator looks sure to make his presence felt.
Coral’s top tip: Fun Mac has a progressive profile and looks worth a wager to land a weak renewal of the Doncaster Cup
