Veteran Desert ready to lay down the law in Listed feature

3.20 Doncaster

Pepsi Max Scarbrough Stakes (Listed) 2yo+ | 5f3y | ATR

This is a race that has a habit of throwing up very decent sprinters, with the last three winners being Mecca's Angel, Cotai Glory and Priceless.

Set against those three progressive career trajectories, nine-year-old Desert Law and five-year-old stablemate Final Venture might seem unlikely candidates but both are in fine form after finishing fifth and second in the Beverley Bullet.

"Final Venture ran an excellent race considering he missed the start and then got held up, finishing well and losing nothing in defeat to Take Cover," said trainer Paul Midgley.

"The track probably beat Desert Law as much as anything at Beverley, where he jumped a little too well and didn't quite finish, even though he still ran a great race."

While both would prefer a sounder surface, Midgley is relaxed about their ability to handle conditions on Town Moor.

He said: "Desert Law likes Doncaster and won on soft at York so there are no real negatives for him, he's in great form.

"Final Venture is pretty adaptable ground-wise and, if anything, I'd probably prefer a bit more rain so they go through it rather than it be tacky. He won his Listed on slow ground."

Ryan Moore takes the ride on the Robert Cowell-trained Encore d'Or, whose best form is on the all-weather but who ran a fair race in defeat to Cox Bazar on turf at Deauville last month.

Any sprinter sent out by Clive Cox commands attention, though both Go On Go On Go On and Kempton maiden winner Razzmatazz have something to find on the book, with the search for black type potentially the main aim for both.

Nail-biter: Nigel Tinkler is very concerned about testing conditions for Thesme ahead of the Scarbrough StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Thesme was only just touched off in this race 12 months ago and put up a good effort when chasing home Desert Law at York last time, though any worsening of conditions could seriously compromise her chances.

"We're very concerned about the ground and we'll make a decision in the morning," said trainer Nigel Tinkler.

"It's nobody's fault and it's a nightmare for everyone. She's in good form and ready to run well, but we'll have to see."

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