Spycatcher ticking all the boxes for Cammidge defence

Spycatcher scorched to success on the opening day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster 12 months ago and is back at his beloved Town Moor to defend his William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Cammidge Trophy Stakes crown.

Karl Burke’s stalwart of the sprinting scene in fact book-ended his campaign when returning to South Yorkshire to land the Wentworth Stakes on the final day of the season and with that victory following a clear-cut win on the continent, is now out to secure a long-awaited hat-trick.

Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbreds said: “He loves Doncaster and appears in great form, according to Karl. He loves this ground and the softer the better, but good to soft as we saw last year is absolutely fine for him.

“You never know as the older he gets, but last year was an extraordinary season for him and we saw in this race he was impressive first time out and then at the back-end with his favoured ground he kept the ball rolling with a highly-impressive win in France, before carrying a penalty back here in the Wentworth.

“He’s a wonderful racehorse and doesn’t owe any of us anything. He’s much loved in the Highclere fold and we look forward to this season with huge excitement. Fingers crossed he can give everyone a huge shout on Saturday.”

Another with recent history in this race is William Haggas’ Montassib, who won the Listed contest in 2024 before going on to record a Group One triumph later that year at Haydock.

An eight-year-old now like Spycatcher who also enjoys a slower surface, Montassib suffered an interrupted 2025 that saw him sidelined until September and struggle to show his best in three outings. But the Somerville Lodge team are confident he is back to his very best ahead of the new term.

Haggas said: “There will be a bit of cut in the ground and it will be fine for him. I think he will run a really nice race, he’s in good form and back to the horse we know.

“He got an injury in the spring last year and didn’t get going till late. We were playing catch up and I don’t think he got going until September. Then he went to Ascot and Doncaster and it was all a bit messy last year, but don’t worry about him, he’ll run a nice race for sure.”

My Mate Alfie is an interesting recruit for David O’Meara bringing plenty of smart sprinting form from his time in Ireland with Ger Lyons with him to his new home in North Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, Clive Cox launches a two-pronged assault with James’s Delight and Jasour, who have both made their presence felt at Group level in the past.

“James’s Delight is very much at home on an easier surface and made his comeback finishing fifth in this race last season,” said Cox.

“He successfully bagged a Group Two in Ireland (Greenlands Stakes) last year and has been very much pleasing us with his well-being. He comes into here in great nick. He has improved for his first run in the past, but we’re hopeful he’s heading to Doncaster in good form.”

On Jasour, Cox added: “I hope they don’t get too much more rain, but he’s trained really well and I feel he is ready to go if the ground is not too soft.

“He won on good to soft in the Pavilion Stakes (at Ascot in 2024), but he wouldn’t want it too deep.”

Charyn and Dancing Gemini have both dazzled in the William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes in the past two seasons.

The Listed event looks a red-hot contest once again as the Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands takes on shock Sussex Stakes scorer Qirat.

Harry Eustace’s Ascot specialist is deviating from the Dubai Turf to Town Moor in what could be a huge afternoon for the Newmarket handler, who will also saddle La Botte in the Lincoln, while Colin Keane visits Doncaster to partner Ralph Beckett’s Juddmonte-owned five-year-old.

Elsewhere in the line-up is Jack Channon’s Excellent Believe who chased home Karl Burke’s exciting Zeus Olympios towards the end of last season, with Kevin Ryan’s consistent Volterra and Simon and Ed Crisford’s Treble Tee also in the field of five.