The centre of attention may have been focused on the start of the July Festival further south at the horse racing capital of Newmarket, but an equally interesting and informative racecard took place at Doncaster with the potential for stars of the future.
The eight race card was filled with class four, five and six races, but the maiden and novice races were split into two divisions each due to a high demand of entries. These contests featured plenty of eye-catching debutants and returnees. There was a race for everyone with an amateur riders' staying handicap, a sprint handicap and plenty of action on the straight course to please the racegoers in attendance. 

Race One: The Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 519 Amateur Jockeys' Handicap - Class 6 - 2 Miles - 15 Runners
Winner: Chief Craftsman (#9) (Mastercraftsman x Eurolink Raindance) - Miss E. Roberts - T. Easterby. 

The opening contest saw a large field of long distance handicappers with plenty of talented apprentices in the saddle. Last year's race was won by a large margin when Clifftop Heaven landed the spoils under Brodie Hampson for trainer Archie Watson. The husband and wife team aimed to repeat their exploits with the five-year-old Sir Joseph Swan. Veteran of the amateur scene, Serena Brotherton, was again present in the line up as she partnered Foursome for Olly Williams and there were rides for the relatively new pair of Tom Easterby and Laura Sanders.

The awkward Aris De Crat proved tricky to load at the the stalls and was subsequently withdrawn before the gates opened. The race would develop into two halves with a fascinating tactical event unfurling. In the early stages, Foursome bowled along up front and was soon joined by Sir Joseph Swan. The two vastly experienced amateurs Brodie Hampson and Serena Brotherton took each other on a long way from home. The pair would find themselves fifteen lengths clear turning for home as the rest waited patiently for the leaders to fold. Entering the final furlong, it was all change. Early leaders Foursome and Sir Joseph Swan tired quickly and Marbuzet took over in the lead. He was joined by stablemate Chief Craftsman approaching the line but it was the grey who finished best of all to land a one-two for the Tim Easterby stable, gaining their fiftieth winner of the year in the process. Pound Off You looked dangerous at one point but had to settle for third while Toutatis rounded out the top four. It was a second career win for the nine year old Chief Craftsman and a perfectly timed ride by young jockey Emily Roberts. A thrill for her in the saddle to gain another winner. 

Race Two: The Talasey Handicap Stakes - Class 5 - 5 and a half Furlongs - 17 Runners.
Winner: Be Proud (#3) (Roderic O'Connor x Agnista) - P. Mulrennanan - J. Goldie

Another well contested field went to post for this speedy five furlong handicap with seventeen runners and the potential for plenty of early pace. The diminutive filly Sound of Iona landed this race last year before going on a remarkably busy spell which saw her win at Ascot as well as go close at York in mid-summer. The contest for three-year-olds and older saw a whole host of regular names in the lineup including the once classy Stone Of Destiny who now operates at this level. Consisistency is the key to a good handicapper and there was plenty of in form runners taking their place in the race. The likes of Storm Fox, Jenever and Hurstwood had all filled the podium placings in recent starts.
As expected, there was plenty of competition for the early lead and the pace was generous. On the far side, Prince Of Bel Lir raced solo while the main group were lead by Thornaby Pearl and Lily In The Jungle. A clear run would be key to the chances of those held up and the well fancied Jenever burst through to take up the baton. As his challengers came from all sides, it was the last to challenge who stole the win. Be Proud had been buried in the crowd for much of the reach but a well judged ride by Paul Mulrennan saw the purple and yellow silks appear into the daylight and he stuck his neck out where it matter the most. Jenever had to settle for second again while Mehmo finished well into third and Stone Of Destiny also ran with credit. It was a second winner in a row of this race for Jim Goldie and his seven year old gelding has been a regular on the northern circuit for years. 

Race Three: The Aalberts IPS Pegler Xpress EBF Maiden Stakes (Div I) - Class 5 - 6 Furlongs - 12 Runners
Winner: Sky Warrior (#9) (Mehmas x On The Same Page) - P. Mulrennanan - C. Cox

This maiden for two-year-olds was the most intriguing contest of the whole day with some high class pedigrees on offer and leading stables represented. With plenty of interest at the early entry stage, the race was split into two divisions. Last year, Mill Stream made a winning debut before finishing fourth in a Group Two contest later in the year. In this year's renewal, the most eye-catching debutant came from the Sir Michael Stoute yard, Point Given. A colt by leading first season sire Blue Point, he is a half brother to the high class Toormore, a Group One winner, and Estidhkaar. Alongside him came the Richard Hannon newcomer Speeding Bullet, a half brother to the rapid Caturra. There was plenty of form on offer as well courtesy of the debut runner up Free Nation for Charlie Hills joined by many looking to build on their racecourse bows last time out. 
In a fascinating race to watch, the outcome went to those with experience. From the second the gates opened, many of the newcomers appeared green and unsure of their task while Point Given seemed to be running in a relaxed manner. Up front, Sky Warrior tagged onto the tail of leader Bandello as the field ran in a diamond formation. Short priced favourite Free Nation raced keenly and used up valuable energy early on. Sky Warrior found himself in front at the furlong pole and showed a gritty determination to remain there passing the line. Blue Prince kept him honest in the final strides and the gap from first to second was a neck, but it would appear winning rider Paul Mulrennan had plenty in hand. Flashing home was the pair of newcomers Welcome Dream and Point Given who showed a high level of promise and should progress for their next start. 
It was a quickfire double for Paul Mulrennan on the Mehmas colt who finished fourth at Windsor. Clive Cox can ready a juvenile first time out, but many of his debutants improve on their second start and so it was proved with a nice display. From the family of smart handicapper Rainbow Fire, the future looks bright for Sky Warrior.

Race Four: The Aalberts IPS Pegler Xpress EBF Maiden Stakes (Div II) - Class 5 - 6 Furlongs - 12 Runners.

Winner: How's The Guvnor (#5) (Calyx x Blessing) - R. Kingscote - C. Cox

An identical contest to the previous race took place as division two of the juvenile maiden took place. This field was arguably weaker than its counterpart, but the standard was still to a good level. Amo Racing often unveil smart juveniles and they were represented by the Richard Hannon-trained Mr Wonderful, a half brother to useful handicapper Pockley. The small stable of Pam Sly has been a regular giant killer over the years and her debutant Fenlander is a half brother to the yard's exceptional bumper horse Eileendover. Out of those with experience, the once-raced Khamsin was a leading fancy for the David Simcock yard after a fourth place on debut and How's The Guvnor had improved with each start, finishing an encouraging second at Nottingham. 
It would be the last named who picked up the prize on his third start and did it in some style. Bright from the stalls as the gates swung back, How's The Guvnor found himself with a healthy two length lead over his rivals. Slowly winding up the pace, Derby winning jockey Richard Kingscote soon had his pursuers in trouble as the gap began to widen further. Approaching the final furlong, the two-year-old colt by Calyx wasn't for catching and it would be a first career win. There was plenty of bumping and barging in the chasing pack close home and the giant Shimmering Moon caught the eye by finishing nicely into second. The Karl Burke-trained Classy Boy dodged some of the interference to take third along with fellow newcomer Cuban Fiesta.
With plenty of newcomers and not many getting into the race, the form will be brought under scrutiny but the winner How's The Guvnor has improved with each run and landed this prize with plenty to spare. It would be a day of doubles as trainer Clive Cox made it a brace of winners at the meeting. 

Race Five: The PPM Novice Stakes (Div I) - Class 5 - 6 Furlongs - 11 Runners.
Winner: Swiss Star (#10) (Dark Angel x Swiss Dream) - R. Kingscote - R. Varian
Just like the maiden races, the novice event on the card was divided into two and the first half looked the most interesting. There was a mix of returning winners and promising maidens who had the potential to aim higher later in the year.. The form pick was the William Haggas-trained Molaqab, who was quite highly regarded and finished third on his debut here at the end of 2022.  The well bred Swiss Star had finished closer with each start and had already shown her potential. Heading the racecard was the only previous winner, Holkham Bay. The William Knight-trained three-year-old had been out of action for a whole year and connections were eager to get their impressive second-time-out winner back on track.
The markets were shouting about two horses only, Molaqab and Swiss Star and the race would appear to be just about the pair. The script was very nearly torn up as the short priced favourite Swiss Star got up on the line in an exciting finish. From the moment the gates opened, the returning Holkham Bay was ridden positively by Jason Hart and appeared to be very fresh as he built up a wide margin up front. Inside the final two furlongs, the William Knight-trained leader was still in clear air up front while his rivals began to panic. Close home, Holkham Bay began to tire and come back to the field as Molaqab and Swiss Star flashed home. The trio went head to head and in a head bobbing finish, it was Swiss Star who just nosed ahead over Holkham Bay and Molaqab in third. Just a neck seperated the three runners with a wide gap back to Dalton Lane in fourth.
Richard Kingscote joined in the group of multiple winners on the day onboard the three-year-old filly who hails from an exceptional family bred by the Lordship Stud. With a pedigree that includes the high class Swiss Lake, Swiss Dream and Swiss Spirit, there is plenty of talent for the Roger Varian-trained filly. Winning on her third start will look even better on her CV for future endeavours and all of the top three in the race look talented. 

Race Six: The PPM Novice Stakes (Div II) - Class 5 - 6 Furlongs - 9 Runners
Winner: Primeval (#8) (Lope De Vega x Passage Of Time) - R. Ryan - H & R. Charlton
Division two of the older horse novice held many similarities to the first division. The eleven strong field consisted of a promising winner from last year as well as some stoutly bred newcomers. The pink, green and white silks of Juddmonte were on display courtesy of a very well bred newcomer in the form of Primeval. A son of the brilliant mare Passage Of Time, Primeval is also a half sister to the top class Time Test. The star turn in the racecard was at the head of the list, the debut winner Couplet. Making her first start since September, the Harry Eustace-trained filly was highly impressive when winning first time out. Strong at the finish that day, she remained an exciting prospect for the rest of the year.

A potential star was born on a cloudy Thursday afternoon as the newcomer Primeval made a very impressive winning debut. In the early stages, Turquoise Diamond cut out the pace under Pat Dobbs as leading fancies Couplet and Primeval stalked the pace in the chasing pack. The race soon became all about the two star names in the lineup as the returning Couplet made her challenge to lead. Rossa Ryan followed the favourite on Primeval and soon the newcomer showed a great turn of pace to leave the debut winner Couplet behind. Crossing the line two lengths to the good, the filly did so with ears pricked and took a while to pull up. 
Bred and owned by the world famous Juddmonte operation, Primeval is a half sister to Time Test, a dual Group Two winner and Group One placed. Trained by Harry and Roger Charlton, the filly is expected to improve over even longer distances thanks to her blue blooded pedigree.

Race Seven: The Centric Group Handicap - Class 4 - 7 Furlongs - 10 Runners.
Winner: Riot (#2) (Kingman x Alexander Queen) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara 

It was the turn of the more experienced types and household names for this tightly contested handicap over seven furlongs. The David O'Meara-trained Riot has been on the premises in all of his runs this year and was hoping to earn another deserved victory and Another Batt headed the weights from an appealing rating based on past exploits. The previous course winner Alethiometer was back on Town Moor for another shot and the last time out winners Surprise Picture and Mobashr were also prime contenders.
There was finally a winner for the David O'Meara stable as Riot landed his second win of the year. In the early stages, Serenity Rose bowled along in front of the main group as Eldrickjones's rider Jason Hart opted for a solo run on the nearside rail. The daring tactics looked like they would pay off at one stage but the larger group soon moved past the early leader. Quest For Fun nosed into the lead as Mobashr travelled well but had nowhere to go. Travelling best of all was Danny Tudhope onboard Riot and the pair soon swooped to the front and gamely held off Mobashr and Quest For Fun. 
Once a very smart horse in his younger days, Riot had slipped down the handicap ratings before winning for his new stable at David O'Meara back at the start of the year. Running in competitive races at places like York, he was due another win and the well supported favourite landed the prize