Dupont can take mile honours

The new Flat season kicks off with the first of three days top-class racing at Doncaster and it is John Dunlop who can once again take the opening day limelight.

Last year’s winner Dandoun looks set to repeat his five lengths success over Zarin and get Kieren Fallon off to a flying start in his bid to hold on to the jockey’s title.

The excitable five-year-old failed to build on that success but ran respectably when third to Indian Creek in Newmarket’s Earl Of Sefton Stakes at the Craven meeting.

Seven months later he ran down the field in Rome but Dunlop is happy for his charge to take his place in tomorrow’s field and the hint should be taken.

Connect comes into the Go Racing In Yorkshire (Showcase Handicap) fit from an outing on the all-weather and he can collect for trainer Mark Tompkins.

The six-year-old was kept busy at Lingfield over the winter before enjoying a break in preparation for the Flat season.

He has an outing at the same track earlier in the month just to sharpen him up and he might have finished closer than third had he not met with trouble in running.

This race represents a step up in class for the Petong gelding but his all-weather outings may just give him the edge over his rivals.

Mick Channon sends Moarban for the Arriva Trains Maiden Stakes and this Bahhare colt should see off his rivals.

Moarban made an impressive start to his career finishing second to the highly-regarded Trade Fair on his debut at Newbury but he could not follow up in a Salisbury maiden in October.

The softer ground that day though may not have been to Moarban’s liking and on this faster surface he can be expected to chalk up a first win.

The winner of the Ballyhane Stud Brocklesby Conditions Stakes has been won over the last two seasons by trainers Brian McMahon and bill Turner.

Both men like to have their charges forward at this time of year and it could be the former who is successful this time round with Cotosol.