PAUL HANAGAN, who has enjoyed an outstanding year, heads to Doncaster this afternoon with bright prospects of causing an upset in the final Group 1 race of the campaign.

The former Malton-based jockey teams-up with Snoano in the £216,000 Racing Post Trophy and, although the John Gosden-trained colt is not among the market-leaders, he is capable of making a bold bid in a race which has attracted an eight-strong field.

Snoano got off the mark in maiden race at Sandown and followed-up in a conditions event at Newbury, where he showed his prowess for a battle with a narrow, but game victory over Acaster Malbis after the pair had drawn seven lengths clear of the remainder of the field.

Both of Snoano's wins have been gained over a mile, the same distance he will face again, and his Newbury success confirmed his ability to handle give in the ground, another attribute that will stand him in good stead this afternoon.

Snoano will probably have to raise his game to beat the favourite Elm Park, whose latest triumph in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket is the best form on offer in advance of this final test.

Hanagan will have a fair idea of where he stands with Elm Park. He finished second to him at Newmarket on Nafaqa, the 5-4 favourite, who was beaten a length.

Also in today's field are Celestial Path, unbeaten in two races and a York winner in July, not to mention Aloft and Jacobean, both trained by Aidan O'Brien, who has such a fantastic record in this race.

However, Snoano has the scope for further improvement and, with ground and trip no barrier to his assault, he is taken to provide Hanagan with his fourth Group 1 success of 2014.

Louis The Pious, winner of last month's Ayr Gold Cup for North Yorkshire trainer David O'Meara, lines up for the.

Since his convincing success in Scotland's premier sprint, Louis The Pious has run well to finish third in good company at Ascot. He has conditions in his favour to get back on top.

Richard Fahey, pictured, can get Doncaster punters off to a good start by winning the opening Socialites Zero Stopober Apprentice Jockeys' Handicap (division one) with Withernsea, the mount of Jack Garritty.

The gelding has been running well lately and is overdue a winning turn. Fahey and Garritty also have good prospects with Emeraldhz, just touched off at York last time, in the Bet Through The Racing Post App Handicap.

Racing returns to Aintree for the start of a two-day meeting and Uxizandre is taken to land the featured Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase.

Alan King's talented gelding finished an excellent second at the Cheltenham Festival before going one better in Grade One company on this course at the Grand National meeting in April. He promises to enjoy another excellent campaign.

North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby runs Hawk High in the opening Betfred TV Handicap Hurdle.

The four-year-old won the Fred Winter Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. He is a useful horse on his day and this race looks a good opportunity to get his second season of jumping up and running.

Also worth noting on Merseyside are Burton Port (3.40), a previous course-and-distance winner, and recent scorer Sergeant Mattie (4.50).

 

Racing selections

Doncaster today
1.40 Withernsea, 2.10 Portamento, 2.40 Emerahldz, 3.15 Kickboxer, 3.50 Snoano (NAP), 4.25 Them And Us, 5.00 Louis The Pious, 5.30 Charles Molson.

Aintree today
2.00 Hawk High, 2.30 Kingsmere, 3.00 Uxizandre, 3.40 Burton Port, 4.15 Tarvini, 4.50 Segeant Mattie, 5.25 Days Of Heaven.

Today's other meetings: Newbury, Chepstow, Stratford and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow's meetings: Aintree and Wincanton.