Sheikhzayedroad

9th-Sept-2016

Quest For More sets a fair standard in the Doncaster Cup, and there are a couple of likely improvers in there too, but Sheikhzayedroad is rock solid, and he is over-priced for me at 6/1.

David Simcock’s was a high-class middle-distance horse – he won the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes over 10 furlongs and he won a Grade 1 race in Canada in 2014 – but after losing his way a little, he has re-discovered himself now this season, stepped up to longer trips.

Winner of a Group 3 race in Dubai over a mile and six furlongs in March, his two runs in Britain this season, in the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup, have been up there with the best of his life.

A 40/1 shot in the Ascot Gold Cup over two and a half miles, he travelled well through his race and he kept on well on the far side to take third place behind the best stayer around, Order Of St George, and Mizzou, who would have been favourite for today’s race had he not been scratched.

Then at Goodwood last time, over two miles, he raced up just behind the pace, and he kept on to take third place behind Big Orange and Pallasator.

There is no Big Orange here today, no Pallasator, no Order Of St George, no Mizzou, and that gives Sheikhzayedroad a big chance.  He stayed two and a half miles well at Ascot, and he left the impression over two miles at Goodwood last time that a step back up in trip should suit.  So this two and a quarter miles should be better for him.

He is one for one at Doncaster, and trainer David Simcock has a good record at the track and has his horses in good form.  Also, Martin Harley has ridden the Dubawi gelding in each of his last four races, he is getting to know him better all the time, and he is a good rider.

St Michel is interesting, but he is very short at no better than 6/1 for a horse who has 21lb to find with the top-rated horse on official ratings.  Quest For More is a big danger in my book, but I think that the value lies with Sheikhzayedroad.

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD WON (ADV 6/1, SP 100/30)