Today's Racing Post Trophy card at Doncaster hinges on a precautionary inspection which will be held at 7.30 this morning.

Racing took place at the track yesterday on heavy ground but two of the eight races were dropped on safety grounds.

The first five went ahead but the sixth and seventh contests over the round course were lost, yet the eighth over the straight seven furlongs went ahead as planned.

After consulting with the connections of the six runners, clerk of the course John Sanderson has decided that the Racing Post Trophy will be run on the straight mile if ground conditions prevent it being staged on the round course.

Of course the all-powerful yards of Godolphin and Ballydoyle do battle once again. Aidan O'Brien has farmed Group One events for juvenile colts this season - nine out of nine so far - but he may have to bow to Sheikh Mohammed's team this time. For they have supplemented the once-raced Mount Joy to the one-mile feature and he must be a big threat to O'Brien's unbeaten Castle Gandolfo.

Mount Joy was purchased from the Barry Hills yard after he finished a really promising second in a warm maiden at Doncaster back in August.

He was running on in pleasing style behind Michael Stoute's King Of Happiness over seven furlongs after pulling hard early on.

He had to switch wide to make his effort and is bred to relish today's extra furlong. The third that day, Henry Cecil's Harry Jake, has trotted up since.

Smart Predator, an impressive winner, at Newmarket last week, can give weight all-round in the Bubwith Rated Stakes.

He was always going smoothly under Darryll Holland at headquarters and easily held Chookie Heiton by three-quarters of a length. John Quinn's grey sprinter will be hard to beat if still in that mood.

Pachara has strong claims in the Listed Constant Security Doncaster Stakes, judged on his third to Dominica in the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot two weeks ago.

Michael Bell's youngster was putting in his best work at the finish of that five-furlong contest and this extra furlong can see him come out on top.

Reigning Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen made a rare journey to Britain pay dividends when riding a 104 to 1 double at Newbury yesterday on his two mounts, Oases and Angelus Sunset, both trained by Brian Meehan.

Smullen, who is locked in a battle with Johnny Murtagh and Michael Kinane for this year's title, was invited over by Meehan, who had been introduced to the rider at the recent Goffs Sales.