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

The Flying Scotsman is to Saturday's Champagne Stakes what Malt Wheats are to Shreddies. It is essentially a cheaper version of the same product.

That is not to inflict unnecessary criticism on own-brand ultra-processed foods. They can be just as enjoyable and we should treat these two races as separate entities.

The Flying Scotsman is arguably more pertinent for the precocious two-year-old than the Champagne. The Champagne is a superior pointer towards the following season's Classics, even allowing for the fact Frankel elevated the Flying Scotsman's profile 14 years ago.

This season's field is packed with early juveniles. Mr Chaplin, Mukaber and The Waco Kid have already raced 13 times between them, while Symbol Of Honour and Benevento were forward enough to make their debuts in May.

Symbol Of Honour, a son of top two-year-old sire Havana Grey, is particularly interesting in light of the Coventry Stakes form working out strongly. He has been gelded and Charlie Appleby's 20 per cent record with horses returning following the procedure is on a par with his overall 22 per cent strike-rate in Britain.

Symbol Of Honour's dam was a 1m2f winner and this extra yardage is worth exploring. Classics will obviously be off the agenda for him, but if there is a potential Guineas prospect lurking then it is surely Jonquil.

Jonquil won stylishly at Sandown on his debut despite trouble in-runningCredit: Edward Whitaker

This horse would not look out of place in the Champagne, but his presence here is understandable given the lesser opposition. Jonquil created a strong impression when overcoming adversity to score on his debut at Sandown two weeks ago. He found his path blocked as the pace lifted at the two-furlong pole and ate up the ground when switched for a run to get up on the line.

Progress from his first to second start is likely on a significant week for the retiring Sir Michael Stoute, who saddled the winner of this in 2018.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

David Egan, rider of Benevento
Doncaster is a nice track for him and it looks like he should stay seven furlongs. Raphael [Freire, trainer] is very happy with him, so he goes there in good spirits.

Tom Clover, trainer of God Of War
He's training well and he's a nice horse. He deserves a crack at this and I'm pleased with him.

James Savage, assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of Jonquil
He took his race at Sandown well and we've been happy with him since. The ground looks nice and it's a competitive field, but he's ready for the step up. He's obviously taking on much more experienced rivals but we really liked the tough attitude he showed at Sandown to get back off the rail and get back up, having had a few things go wrong. He's got that steely mentality which'll stand him in good stead.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Symbol Of Honour
He's stepping up to seven furlongs, which is unknown territory, but we are hoping that it can open a few more doors. We feel that the trip should be fine, and he goes to Doncaster in good order. He's been gelded since the Coventry Stakes and the form of that race looks to be working out fine. He should be very competitive if he stays the seven.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of The Waco Kid
He ran a super race in the Acomb and this has been the plan since then — it's slightly calmer waters. He stayed on very well [at York] and we think he'll get a mile in time too.
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

Read the rest of Friday's previews:

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

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