Times Up and High Jinx, first and second in this race last year, clash once more with the winner of 12 months ago readily preferred to emerge on top once more. The seven-year-old looked better than ever last term, with the highlight of his season being his victory in this contest, and though he hasn't quite returned to that same level this time around he got himself right back on track when third in the Lonsdale Cup at York last time. He did well to get as close as he did in a race that was not run to suit, being caught out of his ground just as the tempo increased, and he is very much the one to beat in this field.
In recent years, the Godolphin-owned White Moonstone and Certify took the Sweet Solera on their way to winning the Group 2 May Hill Stakes, and they will be hoping that Ihtimal can emulate her forebears here. The two-year-old finished second to Kiyoshi on debut at Goodwood and has since finished third against the opposite sex in the Chesham Stakes, beaten only four lengths by the impressive Berkshire. Ihtimal improved upon that effort to get off the mark in the Solera Stakes, staying on strongly inside the final furlong, and she seems sure to be suited by the additional furlong faced here.
Our final SmartPlays goes in the 18:30 at Wolverhampton, with Mistral Wind fancied to get off the mark on just her third start in handicaps. The three-year-old took a step forward when upped to a mile and a half last time, finding only Prospera too strong but finishing well clear of the rest of the field, and now that she has her stamina drawn out even further it would come as a surprise were she to hit the mark.
Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Times Up @ 3.55/2 in the 14:40 at Doncaster
Back Ihtimal @ 2.789/5 in the 15:15 at Doncaster
Back Mistral Wind @ 2.6813/8 in the 18:30 at Wolverhampton
Have you checked out our new, improved Facebook page? It's the place to go for our features & tips!
