Kieren Fallon's loss could be Johnny Murtagh's gain on the opening day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster tomorrow.
With the champion jockey sidelined through the 21-day suspension for his controversial handling of Ballinger Ridge at Lingfield earlier this month, Johnny Murtagh has been called in by Sir Michael Stoute to deputise for the champion jockey on Sublimity in tomorrow's feature race, the £30,000 Freephone Stanleybet Doncaster Mile.
Sublimity won two races last season, including one at York, and also ran creditably in Listed company.
He is reported to have been working with Fremen, Sir Michael's runner in Saturday's Lincoln Handicap, so he looks sure to be well forward in fitness for this early test.
Sussex trainer John Dunlop, who has made this race his own in recent years, is bidding for his fourth successive triumph with Excelius, the mount of Kevin Darley, but I prefer Sublimity.
Tomorrow's action starts with the Racing School's Apprentice Handicap, which features the last two winners, both trained in Ryedale. John Quinn's Archie Babe, successful 12 months ago, and Middlethorpe, triumphant in 2002, will again be in the line-up.
Both have sound chances, especially on the rain-softened ground, and my marginal preference is for Archie Babe, my Nap selection and the mount of Sam Hitchcott, the successful rider of Middlethorpe two years ago.
The Mind Games Bearstone Stud Brocklesby Stakes is the first turf race of the season for two-year-olds and, as such, there is form to rely on in the quest to decipher the likely winner. Past evidence is as good a guide as any.
Bryan McMahon, who has a good record in this race, relies on Dance Night, a speedily-bred youngster who is sure to have been well tutored at home. He should go well. Berham Maldu, trained by Mark Wallace and the mount of Kevin Darley, is also touted as being pretty swift.
Famous soprano Lesley Garrett will make the Lincoln draw before racing, when the final 24 runners will be allocated a starting position for Saturday's big race.
She will later present the prizes to the winner of the race named in her honour, the Lesley Garrett 'So Deep Is The Night' Handicap.
Richard Whitaker's Steel Blue, a smart sprinter last season, has the potential to pick up a prize or two this term. The booking of Michael Hills looks a further pointer in his favour.
Thursday's tips:
Doncaster
1.50 Archie Babe (Nap), 2.20 Gatwick, 2.55 Dance Night, 3.25 Steel Blue, 4.00 Sublimity, 4.30 Mrs Pankhurst, 5.00 Oldenway.
Wincanton
2.10 Lalagune, 2.40 Master Rex, 3.15 French Direction, 3.45 Echo Du Lac, 4.20 Wild Power, 4.50 Saint Romble, 5.20 Matthew Muroto
Tomorrow's other meeting is at Ludlow.
Updated: 13:47 Wednesday, March 24, 2004
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