Gewan aiming to show Champagne sparkle at Doncaster

PJ McDonald is relishing the chance to partner Gewan again when he bids to follow up his York heroics in the Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

The Group One-winning pilot was in the saddle when the colt kept on well to claim the Acomb Stakes on the Knavesmire and he now follows the same path trainer Andrew Baling successfully took with subsequent 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean by venturing to Town Moor.

“I can’t wait to ride Gewan, he was very impressive at York,” said McDonald, who will be sporting the colours of his mount’s new owner Zhang Yuesheng on Saturday.

“This looks the right place to go next and for Andrew it is his tried-and-tested route with potential Group One horses, so I’m really looking forward to it – I’m delighted I’m able to ride him again.”

Away from Gewan, only Aidan O’Brien’s Puerto Rico brings proven Group-level form to the table, with the Phoenix Stakes fourth previously runner-up to Coppull in Goodwood’s Richmond Stakes.

The remainder of the five-strong field is made up of exciting prospects stepping up in grade, including Ralph Beckett’s Deauville winner Cape Orator and John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon, who breezed to an eight-length success at Sandown on his second start.

The latter holds entries in Group One events later in the season, with connections eager to see if he is worthy of taking his place in those lofty contests.

Ted Voute, racing adviser to Oxagon’s owner Prince Faisal, said: “We’ve got the ground we’ve been waiting for, but we’re against some nice colts so it will give a good line on how good we are.

“We didn’t want to run him on rattling fast ground, we’ve waited for the autumn ground to set in and he’s in the Dewhurst and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere – it’s time to find out how good he is.

“So far he’s won a class four at Sandown with a claimer on board, albeit impressively, so it will be a learning day. But he’s well thought of in the yard and we’re looking forward to it.”

The final runner is the least experienced in the line-up with John and Sean Quinn rolling the dice with eyecatching Ayr debut winner Cape Ashizuri.

“He’s a horse we liked a lot in the spring and he went and won his maiden well and then I just couldn’t run him, he had a few little niggles, but he’s absolutely fine now,” said John Quinn.

“When he won at Ayr it looked like another furlong was needed, so I think going up to seven furlongs will suit him and we’re happy with the colt.

“We decided to run in the Group race (rather than the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes) and we’ll soon find out if that was right or wrong, but he’s training well and we’re happy with him.”

In the Betfred Park Stakes, Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light will attempt to notch a first victory of 2025 as he drops back to Group Two company.

A dual Group One-winning juvenile, he began the season by finishing third in the 2000 Guineas before two further respectable efforts at the highest level and will have the assistance of Billy Loughnane for the first time having last been seen finishing fourth in the Prix Jean Prat.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Shadow Of Light goes into this in great order.

“I expect the ground to be a key factor again as he will appreciate any cut underneath. Seven furlongs is a perfect trip and, if he runs to his best form, he is the one they all have to beat.

“Hopefully, this can be a springboard towards something like the Prix de la Foret.”

Ed Walker’s John of Gaunt Stakes scorer Ten Bob Tony makes his first appearance since late May, with Balding’s Hungerford Stakes third Marvelman another notable name amongst the 11 heading to post.