Roger Varian: 'He has race-fitness on his side and he's quite a smart horse'

Unibet Doncaster Mile Stakes (Listed) | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

Three things stand out from a first glance at this historic Listed event run over Doncaster's famous straight mile.

First, there are just two runners who bring proven race-fitness to the table, Beat Le Bon (often compromises his chance with slow starts) and Father Of Jazz, with the pair in recent all-weather action at Lingfield.

Guaranteed fitness, of course, can give horses a significant edge over their competitors at this stage of a new season.

Second, I can't find a natural front-runner among the 11 contenders, which means there could be a steady pace. For some reason, it is often devilishly difficult to make ground from the rear at Doncaster, even when there is a furious gallop.

Third, it's impossible not to notice the outstanding recent record in this race of Roger Varian, who has secured three of the last four runnings with Sharja Bridge (2019), Zabeel Prince (2018) and Belardo (2016).

He is represented by Father Of Jazz, a rapid improver in three starts this year who appears to possess the raw ability to land a race of this nature.

Sent off 6-4 favourite for the Group 3 Winter Derby over 1m2f at Lingfield last month, he was a bit keen early on and, perhaps unsurprisingly, proved one-paced in the closing stages.

He has a high cruising speed and this drop to a mile could well unlock further improvement and see him back in the winner's enclosure for a fourth time from six starts.

Top Rank, another with a splendid strike-rate – five wins from seven runs – has raced exclusively at a mile during his career.

He produced a fine performance to land the Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock last September by a length and a half from My Oberon, and was by no means disgraced behind the 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko when upped to Group 2 level in Newmarket's Joel Stakes later that month.

His big problem is the 5lb and upwards he must concede to all his rivals.

Space Traveller's last two runs have been in Group 1 company, the most recent when sixth behind Circus Maximus in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Space Traveller (right): the 2019 Jersey Stakes winner's last two runs have been in Group 1 racesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He's a definite player, a comment which also applies to the four-year-old filly Bounce The Blues, who has been placed in two good races since joining Andrew Balding from Ireland, and the William Haggas-trained Montatham, an immensely likeable type who improved 20lb last season, according to the handicapper.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

Varian hopes Jazz can hit right notes

Roger Varian believes Father Of Jazz is potentially "quite a smart horse" and can't wait to see him run on turf.

The four-year-old son of Kingman has made quite a splash on the all-weather tracks this winter, scoring at Wolverhampton, Chelmsford and Lingfield in the manner of a highly progressive colt.

However, his trainer considers there is plenty more to come from Father Of Jazz at a mile or slightly further on grass this season, and hopes he's been found a good opportunity in this Listed mile race.

"Father Of Jazz is in great form and I'm really looking forward to running him on turf," Varian said. "The mile at Doncaster should suit him. He travels so strongly in his races at a mile and a quarter."

Father Of Jazz arguably compromised his chance by taking a keen hold early when a hot favourite for the Winter Derby over 1m2f last time, and may prove better suited by the demands of a straight mile.

"He has race-fitness on his side and I think he's quite a smart horse," Varian added. "He's still got plenty to learn and might just prefer good, good to soft going at a mile on turf. He's comfortable with a bit of juice underfoot."

Father Of Jazz is certainly bred to be a useful performer. He's out of the unraced Galileo mare Bark, who is a sister to five winners and is out of a Listed-winning sister to Japanese champion Fine Motion and six-time Group 1 winner Pilsudski.

He may have a few pounds to find with several of his rivals on official ratings, but looks open to further progress.

What they say

James Tate, trainer of Top Rank
He looks to have come on again physically over the winter; he's definitely an inch taller now. This is a suitable place to start. Ideally, I'd prefer there to be more cut in the ground, but showers are forecast. I'm looking forward to the race. He's a nice horse.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Beat Le Bon and Qaysar
Beat Le Bon has always been a high-class horse and this race should be run to suit, so I think he has a solid chance. Qaysar may need this first run since October.

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Juan Elcano
He's done well over the winter and has been gelded since his last run. He ran a big race to finish fifth in last year's 2,000 Guineas behind Kameko, so we know he goes well fresh.

William Haggas, trainer of Montatham
He was tremendously progressive last year and has been in work for a while now. He needs some rain. He just likes that bit of juice in the ground, and is a very genuine horse.

Read more of Saturday's previews . . .

Top trainer quotes for the Lincoln, the first big Flat handicap of the season

'We've not got to the bottom of him yet' – Loughnane bullish about Dark Pine

Rose Of Arcadia looks a talented mare ready to bloom for Cheveley Park

Plenty of life in old boy Brando as veteran sprinter begins another season

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