Given the extreme difficulty of today's eight-race Doncaster card, one might as well take the bull by the horns and tackle the 22-runner CISWO Handicap. And Mungo Park has sound claims to provide the solution to this sprint.
Having shown promise as a two-year-old, Lynda Ramsden's gelding came into his own when dropped down to the minimum trip at Carlisle in May, beating Barranak one and a quarter lengths. He then ran well to finish third in a ladies' race at Thirsk but was slowly away and looked a difficult ride.
That was confirmed when he carried his head high on returning to Carlisle (again third) but a visor, fitted for his subsequent run at Doncaster, had an adverse effect.
Mungo Park then seemed to lose his way but bounced back at Newcastle last month. In a 20-runner race over five furlongs, he hit the front at the furlong pole and ran on strongly to beat Sue Me three lengths.
He faces a similar task here and is clearly happiest in a stronglyrun sprint where he has little time to think. In a race where most runners have had busy campaigns or are simply not firing, Mungo Park should sign off the season on a high.
Now that Wahiba Sands has found his form he looks the sensible choice in the CPL Industries Conditions Stakes. John Dunlop's four-year-old easily won an Ayr handicap and then followed up with a cosy success in better company at Leicester last week, beating Besiege two lengths.
Lester Piggott officially opened Musselburgh's refurbished Tattersall's Grandstand before racing yesterday. The 11 times former champion, 62 yesterday, was a guest of the racecourse committee at the final Flat meeting of the season.
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