Mick Fitzgerald: These picks won’t leave you downcast at Doncaster on Thursday

1.50 Doncaster

This could be a bit of a slog.

Clubbable has shaped like a stayer in her last two starts and, with the ground being soft and most likely hard work, this looks a really good opportunity for her to get off the mark. I want to put The Mums as next best in but the more I watch her win at Newbury the more I like her.

Her run at Newmarket is strong form with some of the fillies that run in the next (May Hill) finishing around her that day. She has a quick ground action, but she coped really well with soft at Newbury so she gets the nod – just!

2.25 May Hill Stakes

The May Hill is a race that will also end up being a slog for these 2-year-olds. Going a mile in soft ground will not be ideal for some of them. I find it interesting that Aidan O’Brien runs Sizzling here: he must feel this is a very winnable contest to pitch this filly in this company.

I think she is a very worthy selection as an each-way because she is tough and looks like she will handle the ground. Additionally, there is definitely more to come from Laurens if she can handle the ground.

3.00 Park Hill Stakes

The Park Hill has three fillies at the head of the market who have met before in Dubka, Natural Scenery and Melodic Motion. There was very little between them at Goodwood. Melodic Motion is the only one of the three not to run in the Ebor and that’s what swings me in her favour.

She has looked really progressive and, given her trainer’s good record with fillies and the fact she is proven on soft ground, she gets the vote.

Alyssa is another who could well outrun her price.

3.35 Weatherby’s Bank Stakes

This one is a valuable sales race.

Great Prospector and Tangled have previously met and the latter came out on top, but only just. It could well be that whichever one handles the ground best may win. I can’t help but fancy a little each-way play on Faraasah –  this lad was second in the Newmarket maiden in which Tangled finished fourth. He is a 40/1 shot and Tangled is joint favourite.

*All prices correct at time of posting