Big plus for Laneqash with Jim Crowley on board but Danyah set to have a say too

Saturday: 3.00 Doncaster
Cazoo Park Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

Jim Crowley was lucky to avoid serious injury when taking a heavy fall from Jadhlaan this week and Shadwell's number one rider has the envious choice between likely market leaders Danyah and Laneqash in this Group 2, and it's surprising he has gone for Laneqash.

Danyah sets a high standard on Racing Post Ratings and Topspeed figures, and that is last-time-out form as well. He achieved an RPR of 117 and a Topspeed of 107 when narrowly landing an Ascot handicap in July and 117 is higher than the average for a Group 2 win.

Since the start of 2019, if you had backed all horses who had recorded an RPR of 116 or higher on their previous start in races below Group 1 level next time you would have found 39 winners from 119 runners. That's a 33 per cent strike-rate, so Danyah is up to this grade.

Danyah has done most of his racing in handicaps and the fact Crowley has palmed off the ride to Dane O'Neill in favour of Laneqash is clear evidence he is held in high regard.

A glimpse at the company Laneqash has been keeping gives further encouragement on that score as, unlike Danyah, he has yet to even compete in a handicap. All three runs since his Ascot maiden win have come in Listed or Group company, including at this course.

The three-year-old was beaten only a head in the Flying Scotsman at this meeting last year and improved on that form when second in the Group 2 Hungerford at Newbury last time.

Jim Crowley: Shadwell's main riderCredit: Edward Whitaker

Crowley rarely gets it wrong when it comes to Shadwell horses, so Laneqash is exciting.

Glorious Journey is proven in the grade, having won two Group 2s, and he will be there to pick up the pieces if the Shadwell duo don't. There aren't many more solid at this level.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of D'bai
He has run very well in this race in the past and has certainly stripped fitter for his last start. He has been going well at home and, if he reproduces some of his best form, should be there or thereabouts.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Danyah
He's rated 112 now, so has got to have a go at this type of race. It's a small field – he's been used to big-field handicaps – but I thought he showed his versatility at Ascot last time by making all. He was due to run in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last month – a Group 2 like this – but sustained a minor muscle strain so we had to pull him out. It was only a little blip – just bad timing – and I've been happy with his work lately. He's back in business and I'm looking forward to seeing him run. It's nice to have him.

Roger Varian, trainer of Laneqash
We're looking forward to running him and he pleased us when running a decent second at Newbury. He has form at the track and likes top of the ground, so has plenty going for him.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday's race previews:

1.40 Leopardstown: key quotes as challengers gather against Guineas winner Mother Earth in Matron

1.45 Doncaster: 'He's due a bit of luck this season' – Portland Handicap insight and quotes

2.10 Leopardstown: Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney drops in class and trip in the Boomerang

2.20 Doncaster: star juveniles Reach For The Moon and Lusail clash in early 2022 Classic preview

2.45 Leopardstown: find out what Aidan O'Brien thinks of St Mark's Basilica in the Irish Champion Stakes

2.45 Leopardstown: a tactical conundrum but St Mark's Basilica best equipped to deal with challenge (Members' Club)

3.35 Doncaster: Charlie Appleby confident 'class horse' Hurricane Lane will stay St Leger trip

3.35 Doncaster: Hurricane Lane holds trump cards in Leger as he steps into uncharted territory (Members' Club)

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