Brocklesby to be divided after 22 declarations

There are Flat fans who almost certainly count down the months, weeks and then days until the traditional opening two-year-old contest of the season, the Betway Brocklesby Stakes. This year the cup of those fans positively runneth over.

That is because the famous conditions race will on Saturday be held in two halves after the sprint was divided into two £10,000 11-runner contests.

Based on the rules relating to race divisions, Doncaster's 1m2f maiden would have been the first preference to divide. However, that race failed to draw sufficient runners, meaning that once the Brocklesby attracted 22 declarations it was required to be split in two, perhaps to the annoyance of the 20 sets of connections whose horses were eliminated from the apprentices' handicap.

"We're not disappointed the Brocklesby has divided but it's perhaps not perfect," said Doncaster clerk of the course Roderick Duncan.

"As the rules stand, we are where we are and we have to run with it. Last year the apprentices' handicap divided but it's all down to the how the declarations come in. There will be a number of trainers and owners who are happy about it as the most valuable of the possible division races has been divided."

Last year's Brocklesby went to subsequent Middle Park Stakes winner The Last Lion, while Saturday's second division will include Hellovaqueen, whose trainer, Bill Turner, is chasing his seventh success in the juveniles' dash.

Saturday's Doncaster card and form