Race One: The Skill Step Group Handicap - Class Two - Five Furlongs - Runners: 12

The opening contest on this lucrative race day would see a competitive sprint handicap over the minimum trip. This class two event would set the tone of quality and featured some well known names in the line up. Last year, the contest would go to the Godolphin-owned Cover Up, who weaved his way through the field to win narrowly for the John and Thady Gosden team.

Heading the weights in this year's contest would be Richard Fahey's Vintage Clarets. The six year old often shows his best form at this time of the year, but he has been comparatively quiet this season. After winning at the Shergar Cup meeting, he has finished fifth on two occasions recently. The star of Gemma Tutty's yard Blue Storm put her on the map last year with a win at Epsom and second at Royal Ascot, but the four year old hasn't been seen to his best effect this season. Despite this, the gelding has been seen only three times this year but finished unplaced in a big field handicap over six furlongs at York two weeks ago. The mare Woolhampton improved nicely earlier in the season for the Rod Millman stable, winning in last gasp style at Ascot and Sandown. She has needed slower ground conditions to be at her best, so this contest could suit. In the first silks of Nick Bradley Racing, Sophia's Starlight would make a quick return to action having raced here on the previous day. Grant Tuer's multiple winning mare had also won at the start of the week at Pontefract, so was aiming to end a productive week on a high. Roger Teal is a shrewd trainer when it comes to progressive sprint handicappers and he would saddle Rosario in this valuable contest. The four year old finished third in the Portland here last month before taking a good second in similar conditions at Ascot at the start of this month. Solar Aclaim made the switch to the Julie Camacho stable during the sales this time last year and has since improved to win twice this season. He finished third in this race last year and has shown a liking for soft ground, so had plenty in his favour. He would be joined by stablemate Germanic, who has proven frustrating on the whole this year, with the exception of a second on the all-weather. The four year old has undergone wind surgery however, so could bounce back soon. David and Nicola Barron do well with sprint handicappers and they would saddle Jer Batt in this contest. The five year old was cruelly denied in this race when second twelve months ago and has now made a habit of finishing third in recent starts. Those placings have come on a range of ground conditions, including over course and distance last month. Robert Cowell is a dab hand with sprinters and he would be represented by the three year old Lexington Blitz. The gelding has suffered a string of close defeats in recent starts, but landed a nice prize in the Catterick Dash on the previous weekend. Francisco's Piece showed smart form as a juvenile last year, winning and placing in listed company, but this season has been a write off so far. Adrian Keatley's three year old has struggled against his high rating and was unable to stop the rot at York last time out. On the other side of the scale, Smart Vision's form has taken off recently since switching to five furlongs. Trained locally by Jess Macey, the four year old has won two of his last four starts, albeit at a lower level. The Nigel Tinkler-trained Duran was on an upward curve during last year and looked set for a good season this year. After winning at Haydock at the start of the season, his form has levelled off recently, but the four year old keeps on finishing on the scene. Completing the field would be another Yorkshire based runner, the Sam England-trained Trilby. The useful sort began his season here in March and is finishing the season strongly on the back of some good placed efforts over five and six furlongs, the latest of which came at Haydock last week.

Winner: SMART VISION (Due Diligence x Bahamadam) (#9) - G. Wood - J. Macey

The afternoon would begin in similar conditions to the previous day, with bright sunshine and clear skies. The ground would be testing with a headwind present; albeit not as strong as twenty fours ago. The sole absentee to the race would be Sophia's Starlight, who ran an excellent race here yesterday and was given the day off.

It would leave a strong looking and competitive handicap to kick off proceedings. As the starter released the gates, Smart Vision would catch the attention of punters as he reared badly, losing a bit of ground on his rivals as he spend time on his back legs. He soon recovered to take his spot at the rear of the pack, but it wasn't an ideal getaway. Up front, Lexington Blitz went straight into the lead and the group would stay on the near side of the track. Vintage Clarets would race in a share of second with the keen going Germanic, Solar Aclaim and Woolhampton with Duran, Francisco's Piece, Rosario and Trilby all at the rear. The pack would thunder down the straight course, kicking up the mud as they went along and soon they would reach the final stages. Lexington Blitz's lead was still a narrow one as Solar Aclaim looked to be going the best of all on these conditions. Julie Camacho's runner would take over the lead at the final furlong pole, but Smart Vision was hot on his heels. The pair would have the race between them and Smart Vision began to gain the upper hand. From further back, Duran was finishing with a flourish and was gaining on the leader. With Smart Vision all out, the margin in front began to whittle down with each stride as Duran inched closer. The line would come in time for Smart Vision who bravely held on and continued his hot streak of form. Duran once again performed well in defeat, this time taking second ahead of Solar Aclaim. Completing the top four would be Trilby, who was unable to finish closer than at the finish in fourth. 

The Jess Macey stable is based just down the road from Doncaster and this win would be a continuation of their recent good form. The yard landed a surprise win in a class two event at Nottingham recently with another tough sprinter Jenever, but this would be an even bigger win given the importance of the meeting. Smart Vision had previously been a solid type at a lower level, albeit over seven furlongs. He had been unexposed over five furlongs so as he reverted back in trip a few months ago, his form has taken off. A win at Beverley in August was supplemented by another at Leicester last time, with a couple of placings to compliment them. This would be his third win in his last six starts, which also came at the highest level he has competed at before. An in form sprinter can progress at a rapid rate, so the four year old now has the potential to scale new heights for his small scale stable, with his ability to handle most ground conditions another positive. 

Race Two: The William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes - Group One - 2-Year-Olds only - One Mile - Runners: 5

The final Group One event of the turf flat season of 2025 would take place at its traditional home at Doncaster and all eyes will be drawn to Town Moor with the future in mind. The mile-long contest is run early in the card to ensure the best possible ground conditions for the juveniles and a talented field of future stars would take their place. Last year saw an epic battle as the tough Hotazhell denied Delacroix to land the spoils, but the runner up that day went on to perform best this year. Delacroix has gone on to win two Group Ones this summer, which further enhances the race's importance.

Aidan O'Brien's record in this race stands at eleven wins, which provokes envy for his rival trainers. With such a stranglehold on this Group One contest, it wasn't a surprise to see him to saddle half of the sextet of runners. The first would be Action, who is a half brother to this year's Derby hero Lambourn. After a promising debut third, he got off the mark in good style at Galway. He looked like a strong stayer at Newmarket when third in the Royal Lodge last time out and led a strong team of candidates. The red hot favourite however would be the chestnut Benvenuto Cellini, whose facial markings catch the eye. After a good second on debut and smart win next time out, the son of Frankel really impressed at Leopardstown with a strong galloping display in a Group Two which produces star horses. Aidan O'Brien has a similarly dominant record in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh and Hawk Mountain would be the latest winner of that contest. The Wootton Bassett colt is bred to be a high class three year old and was aiming to land the Beresford-Futurity double, just like Hotazhell did last year. The British challenge would be led by the highly exciting Item for the Andrew Balding stable. The Juddmonte-owned colt has looked a cut above the rest in a couple of novice races, winning very easily, but this would be his biggest test so far. John Gosden has never won this race before, but would saddle the smart Oxagon in this year's renewal. The son of Frankel was impressive when winning for the first time before chasing home Puerto Rico in the Champagne Stakes in September. He finished further behind that rival at Longchamp last time out though when fifth in a Group One. Completing the field would be Adrian Keatley's Rochfortbridge. He would be a rare first time out winner for the stable where he denied a smart type at Ayr and has since run with credit in Group contests. This would be another step up however. 

Winner: HAWK MOUNTAIN (Wootton Bassett x Hydrangea) (#3) - R. Whelan - A. O'Brien

The final Group One event of the season in the UK would see a very small but select field, but the lineup would be reduced by one as the conditions were deemed too testing for the inexperienced Item; leaving a field of five.

The high class juveniles took the preliminaries in well, considering the occasion and walked calmly into their stall without a fuss. As the gates opened, the three Aidan O'Brien runners went straight to the front with Oxagon settling in fourth and Rochfortbridge bringing up the tail of the quintet. It would be Hawk Mountain who settled into the lead under Ronan Whelan early on as the pack stuck to the far side rail this time. The white faced chestnut Action would run in second, latching onto the shoulder of the leader as the favourite Benvenuto Cellini sat quietly in a share of third with Oxagon and Rochfortbridge looking on. The pace would be just an average one, but Ronan Whelan began to turn the screw in front on Hawk Mountain and the stride patterns began to lengthen. Benvenuto Cellini arrived on the scene travelling strongly under Christophe Soumillon and looked set to swoop past his running mates. Action was also in the thick of it inside the final furlong, but the imposing Hawk Mountain refused to budge. The heavy ground would take its toll on Benvenuto Cellini as the chestnut was the first to fold of the leading players. Hawk Mountain kept finding more and started to pull clear approaching the line to record a half length success over Action. A gap of three lengths went back to Benvenuto Cellini in third, who in turn finished a yawing gap clear of Rochfortbridge, who "won" the race for fourth.

It would be a twelfth victory in the Futurity Trophy for the master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O'Brien, an outcome that was widely expected given the strength of this year's challengers. All three of his runners would have been a worthy winner, which prompted uncertainty in the betting market. Hawk Mountain had been weak in the betting, but emerged the best while Benvenuto Cellini was well supported but unable to cope with the ground conditions. The winner is beautifully bred as always from the Coolmore operation and caught the eye with his size and power compared to his rivals. A much needed juvenile Group One winner for his sire Wootton Bassett, who left a big hole in the breeding world after his shock death recently, Hawk Mountain is out of Hydrangea, who won at Group One level over a mile and a mile and half. The colt looked inexperienced on debut at the Curragh back in early August where he was awkward from the stalls but was given an educational ride into fifth that day. He used all of that experience to win at the same venue next time out in a maiden where he controlled the race from the outset. His star potential was unveiled next time out at the Curragh in the Group Two Beresford Stakes in September. A race that has been won by the likes of Sea The Stars, Azamour and St Nicholas Abbey, Hawk Mountain added his name to that list by drawing a long way clear in impressive style. 

Hawk Mountain now joins an already formidable Classic team for Aidan O'Brien for 2026, sitting alongside Pierre Bonnard, Puerto Rico, Gstaad and even a returning Albert Einstein. O'Brien himself touted Hawk Mountain as a Guineas type come May, but he has plenty of scope to perform much better over longer trips and is an exciting horse for next year.

Race Three: The William Hill Prospect Stakes - Listed Race - 2-Year-Olds Only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 7

The pattern racing would continue with another juvenile event, this time over six furlongs.  This end of the season prize is often a worthy trophy for some tough two-year-olds following a busy first campaign. Last year, on testing conditions, the John Ryan-trained La Bellota landed a first career win in this contest having previously finished placed in a Mill Reef Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes.

The class of 2025 would be headed by Craig Lidster's Arduis Invicta. The filly took a while to land her first win, but used the newly found confidence to place in listed company. She would be outpaced in the final stages at Redcar in a similar race earlier this month. Boston Dan has developed into a likeable sort with a string of placed finishes. After finishing second in a sales race at York, he got off the mark before returning to the Knavesmire recently and taking second again; this time in an identical race to this one. Katie Scott has put her name on the map this year and would hope to have another horse to take her the next level with Figjam. The filly finished an excellent fourth on her second start in a Group Three at Ayr before easily getting off the mark at Leicester last time out. The Karl Burke team have enjoyed an exceptional season with their juveniles this year and were aiming to land another stakes race with Lam Yai. After winning nicely on her second start, the filly has since run well with placings at listed level and Group Three level last time out. The Middle East-expat to Newmarket, Hilal Kobeissi would have a big race runner with Quarter. The colt looked smart when quickening up nicely to win at Brighton, but he was unable to confirm the form when only third at the same venue next time. Ralph Beckett is another trainer with plenty of success at this level and he would saddle Spanish Waltz here. The son of Lope de Vega showed promise on his debut behind a talented sort before taking advantage of a good opportunity to win well at Pontefract a month ago. The small scale stable of Gary Hanmer would take on some big names with his filly Trust Amy. The filly had looked more of a handicap prospect initially, but nipped around Chester last time out to win nicely on her fourth start. This would be a big jump in class, but a reward of black type was up for grabs. 

Winner: YAM LAI (Lucky Vega x One Spirit) (#6) - S. Gray - K. Burke

As the dust settled and the fallout of the Futurity Trophy was unravelled, the next batch of juveniles took to the track; this time over the sprint trip. 

As the gates opened, Boston Dan got away the sharpest and soon found himself in the lead. He would be taken on in the early stages by the filly Yam Lai, who was racing keenly. Spanish Waltz would race prominently in the first half of the race alongside the fillies Arduis Invicta and Figjam as the slow starting Trust Amy settled a place ahead of Quarter who brought up the leader. The order would change slightly as Lam Yai pulled herself into the lead, displacing Boston Dan but most importantly, settling much better once in front. Approaching the final furlong, Boston Dan's stamina gauge flashed on empty and he was soon brushed aside by his rivals. Lam Yai was under a strong drive, but pulled clear inside the final furlong; looking home and dry. Figjam would chase her old rival down, but no avail as Lam Yai would give yet another high profile juvenile race win for her trainer Karl Burke. Figjam ran an excellent race to take second for her connections as Spanish Waltz briefly threatened before retreating into third. Quarter would make up ground from the rear to take a solid fourth place.

Despite winning just one race so far, Lam Yai was strongly supported in the betting and duly obliged for her supporters. After finding five furlongs too sharp on her debut at Thirsk in May, she looked much better when winning easily on soft ground at Carlisle. Since then, the daughter of first season sire Lucky Vega has competed in listed races; the first of which came at Naas when fourth in the Marwell Stakes. Following that run, she would match that effort when third in Ripon's Champion Two Year Old Trophy, beaten a small margin. Last time out, she stepped into Group company at Ayr and finished strongly to take a close second in the Firth of Clyde Stakes over six furlongs. She didn't have to improve much for this victory, but she stamped her class on the field. A half sister to Group Three winner One For Bobby, Lam Yai has coped with everything asked of her so far and could find more races of this nature when the ground conditions are on the slower side.

Race Four: The Sky Sports Racing 415 Nursery Handicap - Class Three - 2-Year-Olds Only - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 4

The theme of the stars of tomorrow would continue on through the afternoon with another juvenile event, this time a nursery handicap over the intermediate trip of seven furlongs. The testing conditions on display for the race could lead to a useful staying type for next year and connections will already by drawing up a loose plan for next season with their horses. Last year, the James Owen-trainer Pellitory landed this contest and went on to win a conditions race on his first start of this year at Newmarket in April.

Just five runners would go to the start, but the quartet would be closely matched on official ratings. Carrying top weight would be the William Haggas-trained Art Lover, who had been heading in the right direction earlier in the season and got off the mark on his third start. Since then, he has finished in midfield in a couple of similar races to this one. Next up came Colori Forever, also trained in Newmarket by Marco Botti. The nicely bred colt made an impressive winning debut in August and wasn't disgraced in a big field sales race on the Rowley Mile at the start of the month. There would be some Royal interest in the race as a second runner for William Haggas carried the silks of the King and Queen. The chestnut had looked promising on his first two starts, but disappointed last time and has since been gelded ahead of his handicap debut. Charlie Hills would be another high profile trainer in the race as he sent up Chapter for this contest. He had struggled in novice company, but looked a different proposition on his handicap debut when getting up close home last time on heavy ground. Completing the line up would be the Mick and David Easterby-trained The Resdev Scholar. The gelding has the most experience in the field but has been largely consistent. His first career win came last time out in a selling contest at Musselburgh.

Winner: THE RESDEV SCHOLAR (Mehmas x Scholarly) (#5) - J. Mason - M & D. Easterby

The morning withdrawal of Art Lover would reduce the field to four which would put off punters, but it would also prove to be a tactical contest between the riders.

As the gates opened, all four horses matched strides leaving the gates and began to make their way down the centre of the track. Brotherhood Of Man would take the lead in the opening exchanges, but was clearly reluctant as the pace was a steady one. He would be joined by Chapter after a furlong, but the four runners could be covered with a blanket. The gallop would gradually to rise in intensity after the halfway stage, but Jo Mason would grab first run on The Resdev Scholar, who quickened up into the lead. The move would catch his rivals off guard and Colori Forever was the only one to go with the new leader as the final furlong loomed up. In a driving finish, The Resdev Scholar would keep finding extra for pressure and inched ahead of Colori Forever and Chapter to land the spoils for his connections. 

The most experienced runner in the field would come out on top in these conditions and there would be jubilant scenes for the winning owners, trainer and jockey as they welcomed the horse back. The gelding is bred to be much suited by longer trips in time as a half brother to the multiple winning stayer King's Scholar. The pedigree also stretches back to the world class Street Cry, so it came as no surprise for The Resdev Scholar to win over this intermediate trip. After three quick runs between May and June, the son of Mehmas was gelded but continued to find one or two rivals too strong in his subsequent starts. He needed to drop into a selling race at Musselburgh earlier in October where he finally landed that elusive first win. This may not have been the best race to be ever run at Doncaster, but this win suggests The Resdev Scholar is still improving and can be a fun horse at a lower level for his connections on turf and on the all-weather.

Race Five: The William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap - Class Three - One Mile - Runners: 14

The older horses would return to the fray here as this class three handicap would be up next. Taking place over a mile, it would feature a number of in form horses and tough warriors who were aiming for a potential final win of the turf season at this meeting. Last year saw a good quality lineup and the well bred Harper's Ferry take the spoils for the Ed Walker team.

This year's renewal would be headed by the lightly raced Valvano from the Ralph Beckett stable. The four year old looked to have a good future ahead of him at the start of last season, but has yet to add to his debut win. Despite this, the gelding has run well in defeat on more than one occasion, including in the November Handicap almost a year ago. David O'Meara's grey Theoryofeverything is a talented sort when things go his way and won at Ayr on soft ground during the summer. He has struggled on better ground recently, but he will handle conditions here. Galeron was a very smart juvenile for Charlie Hills before spending a short stint in Australia last winter. Since returning to Britain, the five year old has threatened to land a good race on the basis of his fifth in the Lincoln here back in March. The four year old Chic Columbine has felt like she has been around for longer than she has, but George Boughey's Group race placed filly has struggled for form this year and took a drop in class for this contest at a venue she has won at in the past. A relatively unexposed three year old in the line up would be William Haggas's colt High Degree. Since breaking his maiden tag on third start, he has since run well to finish just out of the placings in good handicaps at Goodwood and Ascot lately. The more experienced handicapper Empirestateoftheman has been a solid sort for the John and Sean Quinn stable and had his sights lowered recently to return to winning ways at Musselburgh. The seven year old has also gone well on this sort of underfoot conditions. The four year old Ata Rangi won on soft ground around a year ago for his previous connections and has gone well this year for the Ed Walker stable. After winning on the all-weather, he added to his tally at Haydock on quicker ground so this would be his first taste of heavy ground on these shores. A second runner for the David O'Meara stable would be the five year old Walsingham, who arrived here at the top of his game. He has won all three of his starts this season, all by around a length which keeps the handicapper guessing as to where his ceiling is. This would be a tougher race to the one he won at Ascot last time out however. Sheriff's Court would have plenty of support from the Owners Group and Sir Mark Prescott's four year old has endured a mixed first year in Britain. He would win on slow ground at Carlisle back in July but looked one paced when headed at Kempton last time out. Another three year old would be the Ed Bethell-trained Intrusively, who was tried in headgear for the first time. The colt ran to a good level last season and initially began this year well, but he has since struggled in better quality races during the summer. Another Newmarket trained runner would be the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Desperate Dan. The four year old has won on heavy ground and appears to come into form around this time of the year. After winning at Windsor two starts ago, he could only manage fourth at Nottingham last time out. Scott Dixon has campaigned his colt Canvas over a range of trips this summer, with a mixture of fortune. The three year old was successful over a mile at York in September, but failed to stay the extra two furlongs at the same venue a few weeks ago. Julie Camacho would saddle Titian in this contest and the seven year old has gone close in good contests over course and distance in previous seasons. He would win at York during the summer over ten furlongs and dropped back down in trip with conditions to suit. Completing the field would be another former Doncaster winner over this distance, Gemma Tutty's Look Back Smiling. The chestnut has some quirks about him, but has gone close to winning this season on a couple of occasions. He would line up here with a favourable light weight.

Winner: DESPERATE DAN (Dandy Man x Angel Grace) (#11) - N. Callan - P. Chapple-Hyam

A full field of fourteen would stand their ground for this good looking class three contest at the far end of the mile course.

Two horses drawn on either side of the track would make the best getaways as Sheriff's Court tracked over from his far side berth to join Canvas on the near side. The rest of the pack would also shun the centre of the course and stick to the near side as the pace would be a sensible one for the conditions. The keen going favourite High Degree settled in a prominent role along with Empirestateofmind and Intrusively as a large portion of the others held their cards close to their chest by racing quietly at the back. As the pace began to increase, Sheriff's Court would be one of the first one beaten once headed which left the lead to Canvas. Intrusively would move forward to press the new leader as the pack fanned out to get a better chance of a clear run. Canvas and High Degree would also lose their position at the head of the field as the race began to take shape. Desperate Dan and Valvano had negotiated their way through traffic to enter contention and it would be Desperate Dan who quickened into the lead. Those further behind began to panic and throw everything at the leaders; Galeron had been blocked for a run, but once the gap opened he burst through under Marco Ghiani. Desperate Dan would remain very brave however and kept the thrusting Galeron at bay to win by half a length. A further gap of a length would come back to Valvano in third with Intrusively running a much better race, rallying back into fourth.

It would be a successful journey north from Newmarket for the winner Desperate Dan, who once again showed his liking for this time of the year. The son of Dandy Man landed the first win of his career a year ago at Newmarket in emphatic style, before running well two more times on heavy ground. This season, the four year old has been gradually improving and won on quicker ground at Windsor, seeing out this trip strongly under usual rider Neil Callan. Last time out at Nottingham, he would weaken in the closing stages over half a furlong longer, but the way this race panned out suited him down to a T. With just two weeks left of the turf season, connections will be desperately searching for similar races for their proven mudlark to end the season on an even bigger high.

Race Six: The William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 10

The longest race of the afternoon would be another class two contest, this time taking place on the round course over ten furlongs. With the November Handicap over twelve furlongs at this venue looming up, a potential late contender could emerge from this race and aim for the double. Last season, William Haggas's Laafi bounced right back to form with a surprise win from a well judged ride.
This season, top weight would be carried by recent winner Grey Cuban. Hugo Palmer's grey landed a similar contest at last year's St Leger festival but had previously been well known as a Chester specialist. Despite that, he was able to dominate and win at York two weeks ago. The Shadwell Racing silks of El Burhan would be seen on track and George Boughey's three year old returned to form on his latest start. He would win in good style at this level at Ayr and could be a nice prospect in races like this. The Newmarket based stable of Sean Woods would send up the smart Savvy Victory for this contest. The six year old is a listed race winner at his best and despite not winning so far this year, he ran better than his finishing position suggested in the Cambridgeshire Handicap last month. Another formerly high class handicapper in the line up would be Majestic from the Jack Channon stable. The seven year old was successful on his trip to Bahrain at the start of the season and returned to Britain in the summer to compete over longer trips. After finishing third at Goodwood, he failed to stay the trip over thirteen furlongs last time out and rightly dropped back in distance. Ralph Beckett's gelding Square d'Alboni improved rapidly at the end of last year, winning a listed race in France and looked set for a good year in 2025. Things haven't gone well for the three year old however as he has struggled to beat a horse in all four starts this year, including over course and distance last time out. The dual purpose stable of Gary and Josh Moore would be represented by the smart miler Alpha Crucis. The five year old loves soft ground conditions and took fourth in this race twelve months ago. Since then, he has gone close in good handicaps over a mile as well as over ten furlongs, so he arrived here in form. Fantasy Believer had the measure of a few of his reopposing rivals in a similar event here in September and appears to be still in form, despite only finishing sixth at Epsom where he was hampered in the closing stages. Harry Eustace's proven mudlark Mustazeed was doubly declared here and at Newbury, so connections would have a conundrum as to where to race the seven year old. He would win back to back renewals of a handicap at his beloved Newbury in September, but finished down the order in this race last year. Crowd Quake has been one of the most prolific winners of the whole season as his tally stands at seven. Stuart Williams's four year old went close to winning once more at the St Leger festival in September and then again on his latest start at Nottingham. Richard Fahey would saddle Have Secret in this contest and the five year old has some useful efforts over this distance in the past. He would show signs that he was back to his best during his latest run at York a few weeks ago. The James Owen-trained Sportingsilvermine has been a model of consistency this year, finishing no lower than fourth in all starts. That form would continue with two more second placings on the all-weather recently and the four year old has also placed here in recent months. Completing the field would be the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Immediate Effect, who had progressed with each run in handicaps this year and was last seen taking sixth in a strong handicap over course and distance last month.

Winner: CROWD QUAKE (Night Of Thunder x Local Time) (#8) - M. Ghiani - S. Williams

This classy field would be reduced by two as George Boughey's El Burhan was withdrawn due to the ground and Mustajeed was declared to Newbury, although ironically, he would refuse to race there.

It left a tightly packed field on ratings and a good quality contest. The expected front runner Grey Cuban went straight into the lead, taking advantage of his low draw under Jason Hart and led the field on the downhill run. It would be a short spell in the lead as Square d'Alboni swooped around on the bend to take over in front under Hector Crouch and began to dictate the pace. Crowd Quake and Sportingsilvermine would sit in a handy position while the likes of Majestic and Fantasy Believer bringing up the rear. The order remained largely unchanged around the bend and the pack would soon straighten up once they reached the mile straight. Grey Cuban wrestled the lead back halfway down the straight from Square d'Alboni, but Crowd Quake and Sportingsilvermine were still there with every chance. As the race began to heat up, Have Secret cruised into contention under Warren Fentiman as Grey Cuban was headed over a furlong out. Crowd Quake would lengthen his stride in the final furlong as Have Secret breathed down his neck. Grey Cuban bravely found extra and was also coming back at the leader, along with Immediate Effect who wasn't finished with yet. There would four horses involved in a driving finish close home, but it would be the winning machine Crowd Quake who stuck his neck out to win close home.  A winning margin of three-quarters of a length would separate him from the runner up Have Secret as Grey Cuban looked in need of a longer trip by taking third close home.

Just like the antics of stable star Quinault, Stuart Williams has proven once again how excellent he is for improving new recruits from other stables. The four year old son of Night of Thunder began his career across Newmarket with Julia Feilden and made his racecourse debut in a bumper at Huntingdon. Without any promise in that discipline, he would quickly switch to regulation flat racing but was still unable to make an impression on the all-weather. Moving to the Williams yard in April this year, he quickly landed his first win in May at Windsor which began his story. He would rise through the ranks over a variety of distances this summer, winning twice at Newmarket as well as further wins at Yarmouth, Southwell and Chepstow. He would be unlucky in defeat over course and distance at the St Leger festival last month and he would go on to establish himself at this level with a third at Nottingham last time out. This effort would be his eighth win of the year, a run that has lasted just six months and the gelding has improved from a first winning rating of 45 to 88 for this success. With improvement of over three stone in the ratings, Crowd Quake is also the winning most horse of the year in 2025, an achievement his trainer can be proud of. 

Race Seven: The Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap (Div I) - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 15
The closing contest would follow suit from last year and attract a big number of entries, prompting the race to be split into two divisions. Taking place back on the straight course, the seven furlong contests will take some getting through on the worst of the churned up ground, but the fields looked competitive. Last year, division one of this race went to the course specialist Onemorenomore from the Phil McBride stable.

Heading the weights for part one of the handicap would be David O'Meara's Rajapour. The formerly French-trained gelding ran to a good level in his home country and has shown glimpses of race winning potential this summer; most notably when second at York in September. Wolf Of Badenoch looked to be a highly promising juvenile last season after winning here on debut, but this season has been a total write off with plenty of poor efforts. The three year old has now found himself with the Stella Barclay stable, but has yet to improve for the switch so far. Harriet Bethell's stable star On The River has been a flagbearer for the yard with a number of wins through the years and took his place here. He has been running well in defeat in recent starts. One of the lesser exposed runners would be Richard Fahey's three year old Rainbow Nebula. He would overcome inexperience to make a winning first start over seven furlongs at Ascot last time out and had scope to improve. Another three year old lining up would be the Karl Burke-trained Our Mighty Mo in the Middleham Park Racing silks. He has some good efforts in better company than this, but ran badly in headgear last time out which has now been removed. The first of two runners for the Jim Goldie stable would be the seven year old Abduction. He has been a reliable sort around this level and has also won his fair share of races. His latest win came in August at Chester, but has struggled to match that form since. Michael Herrington's Feel The Need finished a solid fifth in this race last year and usually runs an honest race each time he lines up. He ran below his best last time out at York however, a track he has gone well at in the past. Terry Kent would be represented by his three year old Prosperitas, whose only win to date came exactly a year ago on heavy ground. Since then, the gelding has been lightly raced and could only manage a midfield finish at Ascot earlier in the month. The second runner for Jim Goldie would be Dwindling Funds, who has been a money maker in recent starts. The four year old arrived at Doncaster on the back of six wins in his last eight starts. The run didn't look like stopping last time where he won very easily a fortnight ago. The Kevin Frost-trained Harry's Halo is another who goes especially well on soft ground and has won at this venue in the past. After a productive and successful season last year, he hasn't been quite at his best in a handful of starts this year. Julie Camacho's colt Mythical Storm broke his maiden tag at this course earlier in the year but hasn't run to the same level since then. Despite that, the three year old ran well enough on his only other taste of soft ground last year. The Newmarket-based Tactical Plan lined up for the Ed Dunlop stable having been fairly consistent this year. The grey's better performances have come on deeper ground and this would be a rare opportunity to get his favoured conditions. Keep Warm is another who has probably been waiting for the rain to fall as Mick and David Easterby's four year old has gone well with juice in the ground in the past. He would make the interesting move over stepping back up to seven furlongs having raced mostly over six furlongs this year. Mick Appleby would saddle his five year old Terries Royale in this contest, looking to find some of the form that saw him end off last year strongly. Despite some midfield finishes in three starts this year, he has still been beaten a long way by the winner and suddenly had a bit to prove. Completing the first half of this class four handicap would be Craig Lidster's filly Alreet Cha. The filly had been running nicely on the all-weather last winter and looked in need of the run on her latest start at Newcastle last month in which she was returning from a break.

Winner: PROSPERITAS (No Nay Never x Castle Cross) (#8) - L. Morris - T. Kent

The golden hour would strike over Doncaster as a strong sunset over the region cast a dazzling, orange glow. The strong setting sun pointed directly into the faces of horse and rider, but thankfully conditions would be good enough to race normally.

The big field of runners would stick as one down the middle of the course and from the gates opening, Prosperitas would move to the head of the field on the stands' side. Over on the far side, Terries Royale would have a share of the lead and they would have the likes of Dwindling Funds and Alreet Cha in between them. Abduction was too keen to break from his stall and reared up, losing ground and sitting at the tail of the group along with Wolf of Badenoch and Feel The Need. Approaching the final furlong, Prosperitas was travelling strongly through the ground and despite drifting to his right, he quickened up rapidly on the near side. The three year old soon put daylight between himself and his rivals and the race was over within a blink of an eye. He would bound clear inside the final furlong and crossed the line to an easy three length victory. Over The River had been ridden quietly through the race and picked up the pieces to take second close home over the long time leader Terries Royale. The first four would be completed by the grey Tactical Plan who had been slowly away at the start, but made up ground at the finish.

The Terry Kent stable in Newmarket has enjoyed a breakout year in 2025 as he has produced numerous winners from a relatively small string. The latest would be the gelded Prosperitas, who conveniently was winning for the first time since a Newbury nursery handicap exactly a year ago. Prior to that, the son of No Nay Never had also finished fifth in a sales race at York to show his ability, but this season hadn't gone to plan. A pair of low key efforts in seven furlong races at York and Ascot prompted the need for cheekpieces and the first time application of the headgear led to a return in form. He remains lightly raced enough to improve further and more successes should come the way of the gelding. 

Race Eight: The Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap (Div II) - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 15

The final race of the Futurity Trophy race day would see the second half of this competitive handicap which had an identical amount of runners to the first division. Last year, this contest would go the way of Ed Bethell's Lowton, who ran away from his rivals to an impressive victory.

Carrying top weight would be a former Ayr Silver Cup Handicap winner, Wobwobwob. Now a seven year old, Adrian Keatley's gelding finds himself at this level but has finished second on three occasions in recent starts. Stanage began this year with a win at Doncaster back in March and he would look to close the year with another win on Town Moor. Mick and David Easterby's gelding has shown mixed form on turf but needs plenty of luck to go his way. Ralph Beckett's three year old Bright Times Ahead started this season with Classic aspirations, but they failed to materialise and instead she has regressed to this level throughout the season. Connections will be hoping she can find some of the potential she showed on her debut. The journeyman handicapper Riot clearly loves this sort of contest and has plenty of course form to his name. David O'Meara's eight year old returned to winning ways at Wolverhampton two starts ago and wasn't beaten far at Chelmsford recently. Another runner for the Easterby clan would be the Tim Easterby-trained Mysteryofthesands. The four year old was narrowly denied in a division of this race last year and has since landed three more victories this season, all on contrasting ground to show his versatility. Another three year old in the field who has been generally disappointing would be Richard Fahey's Catalyze. The Wathnan Racing-owned gelding had struggled for form earlier in the season, but ran much better last week when third at Catterick so could have turned a corner. Kelpie Grey would take the journey down from Scotland to represent the Jim Goldie stable here. Despite not winning since early last year, the grey has run well over a range of distances this season, including a close up sixth in the Ayr Bronze Cup last month. Supreme King has been kept on the go throughout the entire year by trainer Paul Evans, but has held his form well. After a short spell on the all-weather, he would return to the turf with a question mark over the ground conditions. The three year old Dannick has gone under the radar this season as a gradually progressive three year old for the Gary and Josh Moore stable. The gelding has produced his best runs at Ascot, including a second on soft ground and sixth after a slow start last time out at the start of October. Another who can blow hot and cold is the Brian Ellison-trained Lir Speciale. He has been noted for making strong late headway into the minor placings in recent starts this summer on the turf and all-weather. Steph Hollinshead produces excellent figures with her small team of horses and would be represented here by the mare Albeseeingyer. The six year old ran below form in this race last year and has produced some more low key efforts this season, with the exception of a third at Newmarket. Scott Dixon is another trainer who keeps his horses busy with racing and he would saddle the chestnut Golden Pharaoh. The four year old would belatedly land a first win in Britain last time in dominant style, but that came in a low grade affair at Ffos Las. Shazani exceeded the expectations of punters and his connections by making all the running to win the Leger Legends race here over a mile last month, but Roy Bowring's three year old returned to type last time out when finishing down the field at Pontefract a few weeks ago. Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood always seem to get the best out of their horses and the Malton stable would be represented by the consistent Ey Up It's Jazz. The gelding took second in this race last year and would look to go one place better this year having finished in the frame in all starts this season. Completing the field would be division one's winner from last year, Onemorenomore. Phil McBride's five year old has won all of his races at Doncaster and it would take a strong challenge to deny him a fourth in this contest. He would warm up with a third at Chelmsford last time out and put his title on the line.

Winner: LIR SPECIALE (Prince of Lir x Ma Bella Paola) (#10) - B. Robinson - B. Ellison

The low sun that dogged the previous race mercifully sank below the hotel at the bottom of the racecourse which helped conditions for the finale.

Once again, there would be a full quota of intended runners and the field would make a level break. The initial pace would be with those drawn low and a number of front runners would make their way from the far side down to the centre of the course. It would leave Shazani isolated on the far side rail, but the three year old blazed a solo trail on that side. Lir Speciale, Kelpie Grey, Albeseeingyer and Golden Pharaoh would all sit prominently ahead of a tightly bunched pack. As the field approached the final furlong, Shazani would still hold on to his lead over on the far side, but Lir Speciale emerged from the group to chase him down. The gelding drew alongside Shazani and finished strongly in the closing stages to win comfortably. Shazani's brave effort rewarded him with second as Bright Times Ahead had to overcome trouble in running and produce her best effort of the season in third. Fourth would go the way of Golden Pharaoh who was well positioned throughout.

In a race which suited the front runners, Lir Speciale would break a long losing record and gain a deserved win having threatened to do so recently. The six year old is a former winner at Doncaster, back in 2022, but he ran to a fairly smart level at his peak. With his last victory coming in May 2023, he has also moved between stables during his career, but has found his feet at the Brian Ellison yard. The Malton stable had been on a high following their star Onesmoothoperator's victory in the Geelong Cup in Australia the previous day and this would be a good way to top off the weekend. Lir Speciale had gone close on a number of occasions this summer, getting outbattled in the closing stages and relegated to the placings. Last time at Newcastle, he would produce a slightly moodier display in fifth, but a well positioned tactical ride brought the best out in him and returned to winning ways.