Toocoolforschool gets top marks in Flying Scotsman

Toocoolforschool put in cracking effort when runner-up last time out and holds outstanding claims of going one better in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster today (4.25).

The Karl Burke trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise when third on debut, and duly improved for the experience when making all to score by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths in a 6f maiden at Ripon.

The son of Showcasing then took his form to a new level when finishing second of 10 to Dutch Connection in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last month.

Toocoolforschool raced up at the head of affairs throughout in a strongly run contest and looked the likely winner until getting collared close home and beaten a head.

The third and fourth home, Basateen and Jamaica, both came into the contest with big reputations and the fifth home Salateen bolted up under top weight in a nursery here earlier in the week to give the form a solid look.

It was an effort which suggested Toocoolforschool was an above average sort, and the drop down into Listed company gives him a huge chance of getting back on the winning trail before going on to even better things.

The main dangers in my book are the unexposed pair of Nafaqa and White Lake.

The former is trained by Barry Hills and ran a blinder on debut when fourth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot before comfortably landing a 14-runner maiden at Newbury.

The son of Sir Percy is a scopey sort who looks sure to do better, but may find this Group 3 contest a bit too hot at this stage of his career.

White Lake defied odds of 25/1 when winning on debut at York in the most valuable maiden in the calender, and looks open to any amount of improvement given that most Luca Cumani trained inmates usually need a run.

The fact that the Newmarket handler, who does not tilt at windmills, pitches White Lake straight into Group company suggests the son of Pivotal is held in high regard and commands the utmost respect.