Jim Crowley expecting Tabarrak to go close at Doncaster
Tabarrak should go close in the Doncaster Mile on Saturday as connections are hoping the Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old has the potential to be a Group-class horse.
FORMER champion jockey Jim Crowley is hoping for a flying start to the domestic turf season with Tabarrak in the Unibet Doncaster Mile on Saturday.
The five-year-old, trained by Richard Hannon, is lightly raced for his age and ended last term with a second success at Listed level at Newbury.
"He is a tough sort and I am sure he will be fit and well. He was pretty consistent last year," said former champion Crowley.
"I am looking forward to the start of the turf season again and he is a nice horse to get back on board. I am sure he is up to being a Group-class horse."
Hannon believes the Acclamation gelding is ready to return to the fray after 183 days.
"I am very happy with how he is working at home and I feel if he can show anything like he did last year he should run very well," the Marlborough trainer told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
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"He has run well on softer surfaces before and I am confident he will be able to deal with it."
Roger Varian's Zabeel Prince has only raced five times but looked highly promising when winning his first three races last season, although he ended his campaign with a disappointing effort on British Champions Day at Ascot.
"Zabeel Prince has been training well and the plan has always been to start him back at this meeting," the Newmarket trainer told www.varianstable.com.
Templegate's TV Tips
- 1.50 Doncaster - Perfect Pasture: 'Started and finished last year in great form and, in these conditions, is likely to be primed for this race'
- 2.05 Newbury - Thomas Patrick: 'Trainer Tom Lacey is on a phenomenal run of form and should continue that here'
- 2.25 Doncaster - Original Choice: 'Was progressive last season, handles testing ground and should have further improvement in him'
- 2.40 Newbury - Falcon Sun: 'Hasn't been given a bad mark ahead of his handicap debut and this trip and drying ground should suit'
- 3.00 Doncaster - Zabeel Prince: 'Has the potential to be better than this grade, has two wins to his name on soft ground and looks to have plenty in his favour'
- 3.15 Newbury - Oscar Rose: 'Soft ground has hampered her all winter and, on better ground, she's nicely weighted'
- 3.35 Doncaster - Chelsea Lad: 'Always looked like he had a decent prize in him and I'm convinced he has the potential to improve this season'
"This is his first run at Listed level, but his form reads well in the context of the race, and he's a lightly-raced five-year-old who is hopefully capable of further improvement this year.
"He shouldn't mind the ground and I am hopeful of a big run."
Karl Burke's Born To Be Alive, George Baker's new recruit Crazy Horse, David Simcock's Intern and the Richard Fahey-trained Another Touch complete the six-runner field.