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James Doyle set to ride Lincoln favourite Auxerre as he misses World Cup night

Sea Of Class and James Doyle winners of the Darley Irish Oaks (Group 1).The Curragh.Photo: Patrick McCann 21.07.2018
James Doyle: rides the Lincoln favourite on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

James Doyle will have the opportunity to get his British campaign off to a flying start when he rides Lincoln Handicap favourite Auxerre on Saturday instead of jetting out to Dubai for World Cup night.

Doyle, who enjoyed a career-best season in 2018 with 156 winners in Britain and seven Group 1 victories worldwide, will not ride Dubai Gold Cup fancy Ispolini at Meydan on Saturday evening as he cannot reach the weight, with the four-year-old due to carry 8st 9lb.

Trainer Charlie Appleby, who saddled Auxerre to an emphatic success in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy last month, said: "James couldn't do the weight on Ispolini in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan so Brett Doyle is going to ride that one.

Ispolini (left): will be ridden by Brett Doyle in the Dubai Gold Cup
Ispolini (left): will be ridden by Brett Doyle in the Dubai Gold CupCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"James will be riding Auxerre in the Lincoln and he will be replacing Adam Kirby who was originally booked."

Doyle, who landed the Darley Irish Oaks on Sea Of Class last July, got down to 8st 9lb to ride the same horse in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where he finished an agonising second to Enable after being drawn wide.

The 30-year-old, who won the Al Quoz on Jungle Cat on World Cup night last year, has been in excellent form in Meydan this term with Group victories on the likes of Spotify, Poetic Charm and D'Bai. He has also won on four of his last nine rides in Britain over the past fortnight.

Auxerre, who is a top-priced 4-1 for the mile contest, has won three of his four starts to date. Other notable names among the confirmations include Humbert, Kynren and Ripp Orf, winner of the valuable Cunard Handicap at Ascot last season.

The current going at Doncaster is good to soft, with dry weather forecast until racing commences.


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David MilnesNewmarket correspondent

Published on 25 March 2019inNews

Last updated 18:44, 25 March 2019

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