Doncaster preview: Alfajer holds all the aces

Alfajer has posted some solid efforts this season and can gain a deserved success in the 7f handicap at Doncaster this evening (19.55) now eased in grade.

The Marco Botti trained filly shaped well when chasing home the useful Wordcraft in a decent contest at Kempton on her penultimate outing, and backed that up with a career-best effort to finish fourth of 12 to Spangled in a hot class 2 affair at Newmarket.

Alfajer kept on nicely from off the pace in the latter to be beaten just 2 1/4 lengths, and the second home Muffri’Ha has since come out and bolted up by four lengths off a mark of 92.

That gives the form a solid look, and makes Alfajer’s current mark of 84 look very exploitable.

Alfajer also now drops down into class 3 company, and in a race lacking any real strength in depth this looks a glorious opportunity for the daughter of Mount Nelson to notch a second career success.

The Tin Man scored in good style last time out and looks weighted to follow-up in the 6f handicap (19.20).

The James Fanshawe gelding left his debut run well behind when scoring over course and distance last month, travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders before showing a nice turn of foot to score with far more in hand than the winning margin of one length suggests.

It was a performance which suggested the son of Equinao was one to keep onside, and and opening handicap mark of 79 may well underestimate The Tin Man’s ability.

Another plus is that the Fanshawe yard is beginning to find it’s stride after a slow start to the season, and with the prospect of plenty more to come The Tin Man can provide the Newmarket handler with another success.

Royal Signaller bounced back to form when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 1m 6f handicap that closes proceedings (21.00).