Hambleden, who looked an unlucky loser on Evening Press day at York recently, is napped to recover losses at Doncaster tomorrow.

The Michael Jarvis-trained gelding goes for the £30,000 Tote Exacta Mallard Handicap and is expected to have the edge over Solo Flight, who likewise suffered a luckless passage on his latest Knavesmire run in the Tote-Ebor.

Hambleden, poised just behind the leading group, was tight for room from more than two furlongs out, but he responded admirably when finally finding daylight and struck the front inside the last furlong, only to be nailed in the dying strides by the fast-finishing King Flyer on the wide outside.

Hambleden should have no difficulty reversing the form with King Flyer on 7lb better terms tomorrow, but Solo Flight could be tougher to beat.

Barry Hills' charge would probably have finished in the money in the Ebor had he not run into all sorts of traffic problems in the home straight.

He deserves to find compensation, but tomorrow he may well be scuppered by Hambleden, another horse on a recovery mission.

Rock Of Gibraltar looks a solid fancy for the feature race of the day, the £100,000 Rothmans Royals Champagne Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's talented juvenile made it three wins from four starts when running away with the Gimcrack Stakes on Knavesmire last month. Tomorrow's extra furlong should not be a problem for the Irish raider, who will again have the assistance of Mick Kinane.

Tim Easterby can clinch the £40,000 DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes with Artie, the mount of Kevin Darley.

Reckoned to be Royal Ascot material after winning at Chester in May, Artie subsequently suffered a setback, which kept him off the track until ten days ago when pipped on the post at Musselburgh after being backed as though defeat were out of the question. The benefit of that race plus tomorrow's extra furlong should suit Artie.

Henry Cecil's Aldebaran has struggled to get his head in front this season, but this high-class colt could gain deserved reward in the Joy UK Conditions Stakes.

Beaten only a neck by Mozart in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Aldebaran was beaten an identical margin by Umistim on his latest start at Newbury.

Overdue a winning turn, opportunity can come knocking for him this time under Richard Quinn.

Tomorrow's selections

DONCASTER

1.30.............................................. Artie

2.05..................................... Aldebaran

2-35........................ Hambleden (NAP)

3.05........................ Rock Of Gibraltar

3.40.......................................... Chianti

4.10........................................ Sonatina

4.40......................................... Lisianka

EPSOM

2.15................................. Fruit of Glory

2.45............................................ Risotto

3.15..................................... Clever Girl

3.50......................................... Zhitomir

4.20............................... Aegean Dream

4.50.......................................... Dodona

Updated: 13:44 Thursday, September 13, 2001