Will Stradivarius roll back the years to land a second Doncaster Cup?

Friday: 2.40 Doncaster
Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2) | 2m2f | 3yo+ | ITV3/Sky

Stradivarius was sent off at 1-9 in 2019 when seeing off four rivals in his only previous appearance in Doncaster's oldest race and will be long odds-on again with main rival Trueshan ruled out of the contest on Friday morning.

Stradivarius could not be in a better place physically since accounting for Spanish Mission in a thrilling finish to the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York last month.

Despite his advancing years, Stradivarius may yet try a first crack at the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on Arc weekend if he comes out of this race well, but the seven-year-old first has to overcome old foes like Nayef Road and upcomer Rodrigo Diaz.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer, said: "Stradivarius is in great form at home and still loving every second of it. He's happy in his training and his racing at the moment and we'll let him tell us when he's had enough but he's definitely enjoying himself.

"There are three races he can run in at this time of year: the Doncaster Cup, the Prix du Cadran and the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot. He can't run in all three but hopefully can do two of them."

Reflecting on the seven-year-old's titanic battle on the Knavesmire in August, Gosden said: "It was an unbelievable day at York, to have a fight like that. He's been there so many times he knows where the winning post is and he's still got plenty of fire in his belly. He's come out of that in such good shape and we are hopeful he can put on another good show."

What they say

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Mohamed Obaida, owner of Nayef Road
He has a bit to find on his recent form but ran well the last time he was at Doncaster when third in the St Leger, so we know he likes the track and I expect him to outrun his odds.

David Simcock, trainer of Rodrigo Diaz
He's basically a slow horse and I don't mind saying it. He takes his time to get going and doesn't have much acceleration. There's plenty between Rodrigo Diaz and Stradivarius at the weights still but the fact that he ran so well at Newbury over a trip we felt was inadequate for him gives us hope. We know there's going to be improvement when he steps up in trip.

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of Alerta Roja
Alerta Roja is wonderfully tough and she's already exceeded what we thought was possible for her. On the figures she doesn't have a chance but we did win it with Alleluia, who was very similar and was also a three-year-old filly. While ostensibly she's got no chance, she seems in good form and she gets a lot of weight. Nothing is impossible with this family.

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