Trainer quotes and analysis on an intriguing ITV opener at Doncaster

1.40 Doncaster
British Stallion Studs EBF "Carrie Red" Fillies' Nursery Handicap | 6½f | 2yo fillies | ITV3/SKY

While a field in the teens is pretty common for this nursery, it is rare for it to attract a bigger field than the valuable sales race later on the same card. That is just what has happened here, and with the stalls on the stands' side for both races the nursery could prove a more reliable guide than usual for what might happen later.

There is one major wrinkle in that plan. Whereas the pace later is mostly drawn high, here it is overwhelmingly low. There are prominent racers high, and Spirit Of Sisra (16) and Sky Angel (12) have both led in smaller fields, but the main focus of early pace is likely to come from the speedy Spright (three) and Sandhoe (six), egged on by a good number of prominent racers in the same neighbourhood.

Spright is good fun to watch, with the aggressive tactics usually employed. This has largely been at sharper tracks, like York, Goodwood and Chester, but she ran perfectly well here on her debut before connections committed to letting her blast off in front. The only question is over whether she will last the extra half-furlong with so much competition.

Sky Angel may have the strongest form on offer. Her run in a similar event at Newmarket last time was an improvement in form terms, backed up by a good time figure and collateral form that seems likely to work out. Third-placed Teodolina has already won convincingly back in novice company.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Spright
She's a tough filly and is well handicapped off 85. The step up in trip should suit and she goes there in good form.

William Haggas, trainer of Golden Melody
She was too free on her last two starts so we've given her a bit of a break. If she returns to the form of her first run she should be competitive.

Roger Varian, trainer of Nazuna
She travelled well when winning last time. We're coming back half a furlong but I don't think that will inconvenience her. It looks competitive, but she's going forward.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Tattoo
She did it really nicely at Wolverhampton and she should be fine over the extra half-furlong. I think she'll go well.

Jedd O'Keeffe, trainer of Jianzi and Sandhoe
The ground and the extra half-furlong will suit both runners. We hope Jianzi has improved since her win, and we think Sandhoe is tough and fairly handicapped. I'd like to think they can both sneak a place.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Signora Princess
There should be more to come as she's done well for having a break. She failed to win either of her first two starts but was a bit weak then. Her mark of 73 is workable and I thought it was worth going for a decent prize.

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