1:50 – Doncaster – LADBROKES MALLARD STAKES (HANDICAP) (CLASS 2) (3yo+ 0-110) Good, Good to Soft in places 1m6f132y
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s lightly raced Caravan Rolls On runs for just the second time this season at Doncaster this afternoon. The 4 year old bay colt has been a very consistent performer in his 8 starts to date and has won on 5 occasions. He is by Hernando who himself won at Group 1 and Group 2 level over staying distances and as Caravan Rolls On did not run as a 2 year old he probably has the best part of his career ahead of him.
Caravan Rolls On does have to overcome two obstacles today in that he has not run over a trip as far as 1 mile 6 furlongs before and he has not run on any ground which has been softer than Good. His seasonal reappearance at Newmarket last month was his first run over 1 mile 5 furlongs and he was able to win that day in a manner which suggests that he will see out the extra furlong today as he was staying on inside the final furlong. His sire’s progeny also have a decent strike rate over longer distances with a 22% winning strike rate for winners to runners over distances of 1 mile 4 furlongs plus.
He did win in Good ground at Ascot last September up the stamina sapping finish at the Berkshire course and his full brother Gabrial’s Star, who is just a year younger than Caravan Rolls On has won in Soft ground up the hill at Hamilton, is there is no reason on his breeding why he will not act in going at Doncaster today.
On the plus side he does go well at this time of the year and in two previous starts in September he has won on both occasions. He also has the considerable assistance of William Buick riding who has a very good 22% winning strike rate when riding at Doncaster and won on Masked Marvel over the St Ledger trip last season, the same distance as this race.
Today’s race is clearly very competitive with both the 1st and 2nd placed horses from last year’s renewal and recent Haydock Old Borough Cup winner Sir Graham Wade in opposition. However, he is the freshest runner in the race and he has won his last three races, two of which have been in Class 2 Handicaps. Caravan Rolls On has won four times from 5 starts in handicaps and after only 8 career starts and only 5 runs over staying distances – including 4 wins – he is still progressing and it will be very interesting to see how he fairs today.
