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Six horses who catch the eye on Saturday - including one with Group 1 potential

The Flat season kicks off at Doncaster on Saturday, with the Lincoln and Dubai World Cup headlining a fascinating day of action.

Old favourites, classy individuals and eyecatching pedigrees are on show and these six horses catch the attention as horses to watch.


Doncaster delights . . .

SBK Brocklesby Conditions Stakes, 5f

There are several fascinating types entered for the Brocklesby, none more so than the Richard Hannon-trained Persian Force.

Due to carry the purple colours of Amo Racing, his price shot up from €75,000 to €225,000 when resold as a yearling in September 2021.

A son of leading sire Mehmas, he comes from a smart family and is related to last year's Newbury Super Sprint winner Gubbass. He is bred to be smart and speedy, a combination that is needed to win the opening juvenile race of the season.

Mo Celita
1.50 Doncaster, SaturdaySBK Cammidge Trophy, Listed, 6f

Having posted a peak RPR of just 67 for Willie McCreery in Ireland, Mo Celita was a remarkable improver in the hands of Adrian Nicholls last season.

Rated 62 when winning a Leicester seller on her debut for Nicholls, she would go on to win six further races last season, including a Listed contest at Deauville.

She has something to find on her seasonal reappearance despite being rated 35lb higher than this time last year, but she is gutsy and could improve again this term.

Chindit
3.00 Doncaster, Saturday
SBK Doncaster Mile, Listed, 1m

Unbeaten in two starts at Doncaster as a juvenile, Chindit could finally realise his Group 1 potential in his four-year-old campaign.

Winner of the Group 2 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old, he was far from disgraced in some top-level races last year, including when a respectable fifth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Some 4lb clear on ratings, this could be a great opportunity for him to return to winning ways and he remains a horse with untapped potential over a mile and beyond.

Chindit: will be fresh for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot
Chindit: a potential Group 1 contender this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mujtaba
3.35 Doncaster, SaturdaySBK Lincoln (Heritage Handicap), 1m

William Haggas has a remarkable record in the Lincoln and Mujtaba is his leading chance in this year's race.

Shadwell's son of Dubawi is a perfect three out of three after following up a pair of novice wins at Chepstow and Chester with a dominant handicap debut success at Redcar.

Having won the Lincoln on four occasions, Haggas is on the verge of becoming the most successful trainer in the history of the race and an 8lb rise might not stop Mujtaba following in the footsteps of his 2018 winner Addeybb.

. . . and Meydan marvels

Saffron Beach
3.20 Meydan, Saturday
Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World, Group 1, 1m1f

Hollie Doyle has become a global name and she will have another chance at a red-letter day in the Middle East when she partners Saffron Beach in the Dubai Turf.

A Newmarket Rowley Mile specialist, she has form figures of 11221 at the venue including her most recent Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes win, which was a first top-level success for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.

She shapes as though she will be even better as a four-year-old and on ratings she has just 5lb to find, even without the fillies allowance taken into account.

Saffron Beach goes for back to back Group 1 victories in the Dubai Turf
Saffron Beach goes for back to back Group 1 victories in the Dubai TurfCredit: Steve Davies

Life Is Good
4.30 Meydan, Saturday
Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline, Group 1, 1m2f

He may be lightly raced for his age but Life Is Good has already proved himself to be a superstar.

Trained by US hall of famer Todd Pletcher, he is a dual Group 1 winner and posted a mammoth RPR of 131 when brushing aside the Pegasus World Cup field at Gulfstream in January.

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go could not get close to Life Is Good's remarkable cruising speed that day, which makes him a frightening prospect in Saturday's $12 million feature, especially as we are unlikely to have seen the best of him yet.


Read these next:

William Haggas eyes historic Lincoln win with strong team primed for Doncaster

Frankie Dettori booked to ride Pyledriver in the Sheema Classic after Dwyer injury


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