East India Dock and Subsequent bid to extend three-year-old handicap dominance

Three-year-olds have been winning all-age staying handicaps for fun this season and it is no surprise to see that two of the Classic generation head the overnight market for this contest.

East India Dock and Subsequent are the two in question and there is a lot to like about the way both are progressing. East India Dock was 5lb better on Racing Post Ratings than his previous best to score at Goodwood last time while Subsequent improved 4lb for his last win.

That minor difference is evened up by the fact that East India Dock is running from 1lb wrong in the weights here under a penalty for his victory ten days ago, but Ryan Moore is taking over from 5lb claimer Jack Doughty in the saddle and that is evidently an upgrade.

However, Subsequent also gets a boost in the saddle with Oisin Murphy now in the plate to replace Callum Hutchinson, who rode him to victory last time. It is difficult to make a call either way between East India Dock and Subsequent, but they look to have it between them.

The best of the older horses appears to be Shadow Dance and he is a lightly raced four-year-old, too. Having had just eight starts, he is less exposed than East India Dock despite the fact that he is a year older, and he also comes here on the back of a career best.

Shadow Dance (grey): stayed on best to score

Shadow Dance (grey) leads the older division in Friday's opening handicap at DoncasterCredit: John Grossick

That was a hard-fought victory at York's Ebor meeting, for which he has gone up only 5lb, and that gets him in here off top weight of 10st 2lb. He is the main danger to the youngsters.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say:

Roger Varian, trainer of Shadow Dance
He's got a big weight to carry, which is always a concern, but he deserves his mark after winning nicely at York. I'm glad they had a bit of rain as bit of cushion in the track will suit him. It looks as though stepping up in trip will suit and we're looking forward to running him.

Amie Waugh, rider of Faylaq
He ran well at Hamilton last time and didn't get the clearest of runs, if he had he'd have made everyone sweat a bit more. Fingers crossed he'll be thereabouts again. The ground won't be so soft but he seems to perform on anything and the longer trip will be in his favour.

Oisin Murphy, rider of Subsequent
He's in good form. He won well at Newmarket last time and any juice in the ground will be in his favour.

Ed Bethell, trainer of Quantum Leap
He seems in good form after York and he's got a low weight, so I hope he'll run well in a hot race. I think this trip will suit him at Doncaster and the ground should be nice for him too.

Tim Gredley, joint-owner of East India Dock
He keeps improving — he was Ambiente Friendly's lead horse at the start of the year, so he's probably enjoying not having him up his bum the whole time! He's climbing up the handicap every race and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. We'd probably like some rain but the shorter trip should be no problem.
Reporting by David Carr

Read the rest of Friday's previews:

2.25 Doncaster: 'He's got that steely mentality' - Sir Michael Stoute unleashes promising Juddmonte colt in the Flying Scotsman

3.00 Doncaster: Big Mojo bids to emulate stablemate Big Evs in Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes

3.35 Doncaster: Can Trueshan continue to defy age against strong and younger Gosden duo?

Some old friends return to the ring for 12 rounds of thumps in one of Doncaster's most iconic races