Crisford has high hopes Saroog can complete hat-trick in the Mallard Handicap

2.40 Doncaster
William Hill Mallard Handicap | 1m6½f | 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

This famous staying handicap has attracted just six runners, the smallest field since the same number went to post in 2013. They are headed by likely warm favourite Saroog, who should relish the long straight on Town Moor.

The Simon Crisford-trained five-year-old bids for a hat-trick after notching wins over 1m6f at Ascot and Newmarket this summer, for which he has been raised 11lb by the handicapper.

A career-high mark of 101 will make things tougher for Saroog, but there is every chance he will continue on an upward curve after staying on gamely to beat Themaxwecan, who has won since, by a length and a quarter at Newmarket.

Crisford said: “Saroog remains in good form and I think the track will suit him well and I hope he can concede the weight. It looks a tight race on paper, but he's going the right way.”

Mark Johnston out to improve record

Themaxwecan’s trainer Mark Johnston has won the Mallard twice in the last seven years courtesy of Time To Study (2017) and Sir Graham Wade (2012). He is represented this time by Charles Kingsley, who could emerge as the biggest threat to Saroog under Frankie Dettori.

Charles Kingsley has enjoyed an excellent campaign, winning handicaps at Hamilton, Brighton and Newmarket, and makes a quick reappearance after finishing fourth behind Time To Study in the £100,000 Old Borough Cup at Haydock last Saturday.

Assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said: “He was in a bad position at Haydock and stayed on well for fourth. The smaller field should help, and the trip, track and ground are fine.”

Step up in trip set to suit Genetics

Oisin Murphy partners Genetics for Andrew Balding and is not without a chance of gaining another victory in his jockeys’ title charge.

Genetics: winning easily at the Shergar Cup last yearCredit: Getty Images

Genetics ran an excellent race at Ascot last month in the Shergar Cup when a half-length second to Indianapolis over 1m4f before running down the field at York, and Balding said: “We're stepping him back up in trip – we think it's worth another go.

“He ran very well in Spain and then at Ascot, and York might have come a bit quick. He's in great shape and the track and ground will suit.”

Small field can help Lion roar

James Fanshawe has long believed Sleeping Lion has the potential to develop into a useful stayer.

The four-year-old has yet to open his account for 2019 but has run consistently well in defeat and wasn’t beaten far behind Eddystone Rock in a valuable 2m½f handicap at York’s Ebor meeting last time.

“He ran really well at Ascot the time before last and seems in good form,” Fanshawe said. “It’s a smaller field than at York and that may suit him.”

Bartholomeu Dias, the mount of Ryan Moore, and the Jim Goldie-trained Theglasgowwarrior complete the field. Goldie won this race ten years ago with Nanton.

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