Dandoun, winner of the Doncaster Mile twelve months ago, can gain a repeat victory when the new Flat turf racing season starts on Town Moor tomorrow.

Unlike last year, when John Dunlop's colt had the assistance of Pat Eddery, Kieren Fallon takes the mount this time, and I fancy the reigning champion jockey to make a flying start to the defence of his title.

A horse, who clearly goes well fresh, Dandoun was restricted to only three starts last season and failed to add to his opening victory.

He is threatened by serious dangers tomorrow including Reel Buddy and Atavus, but Dandoun is napped to win this £32,000 opening-day showpiece for the second successive year and provide Dunlop, also triumphant with Right Wing in 2001, with a hat-trick of wins.

Fallon also has good prospects on Santando in the Real Radio Handicap.

Clive Brittain's charge is as fit-as-a-flea, having scored at Lingfield - with Kieren on board - less than than three weeks ago. That fitness advantage should stand him in excellent stead here, especially against those rivals who are making their first public appearance since last backend.

The meeting makes its traditional start with the Racing Schools Apprentice Handicap, which gives the opportunity to one young rider to be leading jockey on turf for at least half-an-hour!

That minor honour tomorrow may fall to Tony Hamilton, David Nicholls' smart claimer, who teams-up with the Michael Dods-trained Al Azhar, a winner over this course and distance last season.

In the Go Racing In Yorkshire Showcase Handicap over five furlongs, John O'Groats, also trained by Darlington-based Dods, can do the business in the hands of Fergal Lynch.

The five-year-old came good last season, winding-up with a victory in the Silver Cup at Ayr over six furlongs. He also scored last year over the minimum trip, which he faces tomorrow. He should give a good account of himself.

The Ballyhane Brocklesby Stakes, the first two-year-old race of the turf season, has attracted a big field and, with no form to go on, clues of a different kind tend to come into play.

Certain trainers, with good records in this race, or with a reputation for annually having 'early' two-year-olds, include the likes of Bryan McMahon, Bill Turner and Mick Channon, all of whom are represented.

My preference is for the Channon-trainer Mac Love, a speedily-bred colt who will be partnered by Chris Catlin.

Barry Hills tends to make a habit of getting on the scoresheet at Doncaster's curtain-raiser, and the Lambourn trainer has good prospects with Not Amused in the Arriva Trains Maiden Stakes.

The three-year-old showed ability in his one and only outing last autumn and looks the type to come into his own in his second season.

The card, having started with an apprentices' race, concludes with a ladies' event for amateur riders.

Bets should be kept to a minimum, but Court Of Appeal, trained by Brian Ellison and the mount of his competent daughter Lorraine, makes plenty of appeal after a decent run on the sand last month.

Thursday's tips:

DONCASTER

1.45 Al Azhar, 2.15 Mac Love, 2.45 John O'Groats, 3.20 Not Amused, 3.55 Dandoun (Nap), 4.30 Santando, 5.05 Court Of Appeal.

WINCANTON

2.05 Madam Flora, 2.35 Tysou, 3.10 Reverse Swing, 3.45 Indian Gunner, 4.20 Green Ideal, 4.55 Fluff 'n' Puff, 5.25 Spread The Dream.

- Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Southwell.

Updated: 12:43 Wednesday, March 19, 2003