Septimus bidding for more Cup glory

Irish raider Septimus heads a field of eight for the GNER Doncaster Cup at Town Moor on Friday.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge won the Lonsdale Cup at York on his latest start after finishing second to stablemate Scorpion in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

He will face tough opposition headed by Sir Michael Stoute’s duo Allegretto and Distinction.

The former has won the Goodwood Cup this summer and finished runner-up to O’Brien’s Peeping Fawn in the Yorkshire Oaks on her latest start.

Distinction is having his third race in six weeks since returning from a 14-month lay-off.

David Elsworth has declared Balkan Knight, who was beaten a length by Septimus at York, while Jamie Osborne saddles Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Geordieland.

The line-up is completed by Gold Cup fourth Finalmente, Baddam and Kasthari, who dead-heated for first place in this race three years ago.