Wise Eagle 'in the form of his life' for tilt at Mallard Handicap

Friday: 1.25 Doncaster
Coral Mallard Handicap | 1m6½f | 3yo+ | ITV3/Sky

Typically in a 13-runner race you can identify at least one or two habitual front-runners, but there isn't one in the Mallard Handicap. Despite conditions continuing to ease at Doncaster, this staying contest could place an emphasis on speed over stamina.

It is tough to predict who will dictate the fractions and the in-form HMS President feels a logical place to start. His performances have been steadily creeping up on Racing Post Ratings this summer and he finished second in this off 1lb higher last year.

HMS President also handles soft ground and has form over shorter, so he might not be the most inconvenienced if they crawl around. However, he is drawn widest in stall 13 and that limits enthusiasm.

The only horse to oblige from a stall higher than seven in the last decade was 2016 winner Wall Of Fire (ten) and he was chucked in that day, proving himself a Group performer thereafter.

Alan King craves rain for Trueshan in the Doncaster Cup and the same applies to stablemate Inchicore from stall five.

Inchicore has also been running well this season, recording her two best RPRs on her previous two starts, and will prefer this 1m6½f distance after running a fair fourth to Doncaster Cup-bound Get Shirty over 1m4f at Haydock in July.

King clearly thinks plenty of her as she ran in two Listed races and a pair of Group 3s last season, and a mark of 97 is not beyond her.

Soft ground is a concern for many of these and the market seems to have it right with HMS President, Inchicore and Mahrajaan heading the early betting.

Bar a blip in the John Smith's Cup three starts back, Mahrajaan boasts a highly progressive profile and saw out 1m6f on soft when third at York on his sole attempt at a staying distance last October.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'I wouldn't swap him' – Nicol bullish about his stable star

Wise Eagle has been a revelation for Adam Nicol and the former jockey believes his stable star can defy a career-high mark.

Nicol, who was the regular rider of Lady Buttons before turning to training in 2020, has had nine wins from his Northumberland base – every one provided by Wise Eagle.

Following last month's wins at Musselburgh and Redcar, the five-year-old's official rating has risen to 94, having started off on 67 for Nicol, but the trainer does not see that as a barrier to success.

"The two wins were fantastic and he's in the form of his life," said Nicol. "We couldn't be any happier with his condition and I wouldn't swap him for any of the others in the race.

"It looks like a mixed forecast. If it's good to firm happy days, if it's on the soft side of good I'm not too worried about it."

Danny Tudhope: rides hat-trick seeker Wise EagleCredit: Edward Whitaker

The trainer, who bought Wise Eagle's half-sister at Tuesday's Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale for £29,000, has been impressed by jockey Danny Tudhope, who has been aboard for those last two wins.

"There are a lot of good jockeys around, but I've always liked Danny – he's very balanced and seems to get horses travelling well," Nicol said. "The horse is in great form and Danny has made it look quite easy."

What they say

Angus Gold, racing manager for Shadwell, owners of Mahrajaan
He's stepping up in trip but he stayed on well at York last time. I hope the ground isn't too soft for him as I'm not sure a horse with his action wants that type of ground, but it's the right track for him. He's a solid horse who's capable of winning a race like this.

Alan King, trainer of Inchicore
She's in very good order and will love the ground. I was very pleased with her run in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock, where she'd have been second in another few strides. She should be suited by going back up to a mile and six and I hope she'll run very well.

Jim Boyle, trainer of Going Gone
He's a progressive horse and we like him a lot, and we go there hopeful of a big run.

Ian Williams, trainer of Haliphon
He's backing up quickly after a very respectable run in the Old Borough Cup. A little bit of cut in the ground will suit him better. He's around the top of his mark, but is sure to run a decent race even if it's in defeat.

Ian Williams: runs HaliphonCredit: Mark Cranham

Jim Goldie, trainer of Sir Chauvelin
He's still in good form at ten years old and it was probably a career-best late time when he was just beaten by a stable companion [Wickywickywheels]. The course and distance should suit him and I expect him to run well.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of HMS President
He's run good races back-to-back at Newmarket and we're really pleased with him. He was second in this race last year and we're hoping he can go one better.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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