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Your support makes all the difference.THE QUEEN may have indicated tacit approval for Sunday racing by allowing one of her horses to be entered - though not declared - for today's historic Doncaster card, but she should perhaps be wary of the idea. The last time the British upper-classes cocked such a deliberate snook at Parliament, it culminated in the head of state's violent separation from the body of state.
This is a more civilised age, of course, but while the workers are unlikely to march on Buckingham Palace calling for liberty, fraternity and the other one simply because the Jockey Club is tiptoeing around the Sunday Observance Act, the ironies of today's events at Town Moor would not be lost on history's great radicals. The aristocrats are revolting.
While racing's rulers are busy making political capital, backers still face the problem of hanging on to the more negotiable sort. Norton Challenger (2.05) can guarantee his place in a thousand trivia quizzes by winning the first sunday race, while Line Drummer (2.30) and Twist And Turn (2.55) also look solid. Bentico (3.20) is a more speculative choice, but if the pace is good he can take a hand in the finish. Breezy Day (3.45) is the get-out bet if all else fails.
Jaded punters should make tomorrow their alternative day of rest, in preparation for Glorious Goodwood, which opens on Tuesday. Guy Harwood has not had the most scintillating of seasons, but at his local track he is still a man to treat with the utmost respect and Kayvee (3.45) has as much chance as any in the Stewards' Cup. He will ideally be preceded into the winners' enclosure by Beyton (3.10), following the Gordon Stakes.
Sheikh Albadou, the Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, is an interesting entry for Wednesday's Sussex Stakes, but Europe's best milers will look to be a very sorry bunch if there is not at least one amongst them who cannot beat a speed specialist. The excuses after Selkirk's most recent effort were more plausible than most, and if he is back to his best he will make short work of his opponents, even the admirable Marling. Later in the afternoon, Luca Cumani can take the Tote Gold Trophy Handicap for the third consecutive year with Le Corsaire (4.15).
The Golden Mile on Thursday is as defiant of logical analysis as ever. Band On The Run at least has the benefit of solid form to his name, but with so much cash on offer plenty of runners are likely to show an almost miraculous improvement on their last few performances.
Saratoga Source was not within 50 yards of the winner when fourth in the Oaks, but the Nassau Stakes does not look too strong this year and she should overcome Feminine Wiles. For anyone still standing by Saturday, her trainer, Ian Balding, provides another likely winner with Fragrant Hill in the Chesterfield Cup.
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