Spryt to be right there at Donny

SPRYT has to overcome stall No. 9 in the opening race at Doncaster this afternoon, but otherwise David O’Meara’s runner is well qualified.

The four-year-old tackles the mile handicap on the round course, off a handicap mark of 78, 2lb lower than when winning at Hamilton a year ago.

That win north of the border was over eight-and-a-half furlongs, on the Lanarkshire course’s stiff track, so he should run right through the line at Donny today.

Josh Doyle takes five off, and if the stable apprentice can find an attacking position from the head of the straight, then Spryt should have the tactical speed to do the rest.

Although it’s true Bogart has developed an aversion to winning, if he is ever to end a drought dating back to August 2013, it might well be today.

Kevin Ryan’s old stager has dropped to a mark of 88 – from a peak of 110 – and had rather lost his way in terms of form until three weeks ago, when he was a neck second to Harry Hurricane.

That was over five furlongs at York. Today he races over a more-suitable six and, with Tom Eaves back on board again, we may still see life in the old boy yet.

The one-and-a-half mile maiden may well go to William Haggas by way of his New Approach filly Dawn Horizons, who made a very eye-catching Salisbury debut last month.

Held up over 10 furlongs, behind the Ribblesdale at Ascot-bound Shall We, the Haggas runner claimed fourth late, staying on nicely as if today’s trip will bring out the best in her.