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Jack Dexter swinging for third Wentworth win

Jack Dexter landing his second Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster a year ago beating Godolphin's Lightning Moon
Jack Dexter landing his second Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster a year ago beating Godolphin's Lightning Moon

Jim Goldie is under no illusions about the task facing veteran sprinter Jack Dexter in his bid to win the Betfred-backed Wentworth Stakes (2.25) for a third time in the last four years.

While the ground will not be playing to the seven-year-old's strengths in the Betfred-sponsored Listed race, as it did last year, when conditions were heavy, and in 2013 when the ground was soft, a bigger obstacle may loom in the shape of Growl.

Marwan Koukash's four-year-old had Jack Dexter behind when runner-up in the Ayr Gold Cup and the Group 1 British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

"Growl is the one to beat," said Goldie. "But Jack Dexter likes Doncaster and while he's really good on soft ground which he is unlikely to get, he ran a good race on similar ground at Ascot."

Growl's trainer trainer Richard Fahey is looking to end the season in style.

Fahey said: "If Growl can back up his Champions Day second on quicker ground then he'll have a huge chance. There's no reason to suspect he can't and we're very happy with him."

Dawaa is a three-year-old filly on the upgrade and, with her owner Hamdan Al Maktoum retiring her to the paddocks at the end of the season, connections are chasing valuable black type.

Entsar is another progressive filly aiming for some black type in for the Listed Gillies Fillies' Stakes (3.00), also backed by Betfred.

Trainer William Haggas said: "She won very well on soft ground last time. She's up in class but going the right way and looks well."

Prize-money boost

Owners with runners at Doncaster on Saturday have been given a boost as prize-money has increased due to entries at the course exceeding expectations through the course of the season, writes Tony McFadden.

The feature Betfred November Handicap is up to £80,000 from £65,000 last year, while the Listed Wentworth and Gillies Fillies' Stakes are both worth £10,000 more than in 2015. The other five races on the card are also worth more than last year.

A higher-than-expected number of entries at Doncaster - particularly during the St Leger meeting and Racing Post Trophy fixture - has resulted in a sum of money that needs to be spent before the end of the season to ensure that Arc, the company that operates the track, meets its executive contribution commitments to the Levy Board.

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