1.15 William Hill EBF Brocklesby Stakes 5f 3y

Bloody hell! None of these have raced before - how am I meant to find the winner? There’s no form to speak of and no group race entries to give me a clue.

None of the trainers have had a winner on turf this year, either. Sucking Diesel’s a cool name, though. Maybe that will win, and I could say “Now we’re Sucking Diesel,” which is better than “Now we’re Norman’s Cay.” 2pts win.

1.50 William Hill Spring Mile Handicap 1m

This is more like it. The Spring Mile has been dominated by four-year-olds in the past two decades and, while the younger generation have been heavily represented in that time, it has still paid to back them blind, with winners at 50/1 (twice), 33/1, 22/1 and 20/1 among 11 successes for four-year-olds from the last 14 runnings at Doncaster.

So, the key is to consider the youngest runners, but not to ignore outsiders who fit the right profile, which is that of runners unexposed in conditions, including those with form at further or shorter as three-year-olds.

The one I really like here is the scopey Spirit Of Acklam, who has raced only twice at a mile, winning a two-year-old novice on yielding ground at Ayr and running up to his best when third at Southwell on his final start.

He raced over further in between those efforts, taking in the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his second outing last year, but finding fast ground all against him.

He travelled like the winner on his next two starts at 10 furlongs before finishing a little weakly and, although he’s by Cracksman, I think he will prove best at up to a mile when getting cut in the ground.

He wears first-time cheekpieces here and promises to progress again given his physique (Timeform call him ‘strong, lengthy’) and he’s likely to be helped also by a gelding operation at the end of last year.

2.25 William Hill Cammidge Trophy Stakes (Listed) 6f 2y

Marshman was second in this last year and has the benefit of a run (or three) this year, but his revival of late has come on artificial surfaces, and it’s a worry that he didn’t hold his form on turf last year.

He’s respected, as is stablemate Spycatcher, but I just prefer the claims of James’s Delight, who has a proven record fresh and with ease underfoot.

James’s Delight and Spycatcher met last August in the Prix Meautry at Deauville, with Spycatcher just coming out on top, and there were two lengths between them in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October when James’s Delight was badly served by the run of the race.

Given his early start 12 months ago, he kept his form very well until the final day of the season proper, and his form figures at this trip on good or softer ground read 13111128, with the final run coming in that Ascot Group 1, where he was left poorly positioned in a draw-affected contest, and his only disappointing runs both came at Newbury - over seven furlongs in the Greenham and on ground described as good to firm by Timeform in the Carnarvon Stakes.

3.00 William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes (Listed) 1m

The Doncaster Mile looks a race to bet in, as likely favourite Liberty Lane needed his first start back last year, when finishing midfield in the Lincoln, and last year’s Cambridgeshire winner could need this to grease the gears in readiness for a return to Newmarket next month.

The one who appeals most is Dancing Gemini, who won the Flying Scotsman Stakes here as a juvenile, before a creditable fifth in the Futurity when sent for home too soon.

He ran his best race last year on his return, when only just failing to win the French Guineas.

He was not well-campaigned thereafter, although connections were entitled to live the dream with a Derby bid, but he did shape quite well back at a mile in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in the autumn, finishing fourth behind Charyn.

A straight mile on easy ground is arguably the ideal conditions for Dancing Gemini, for all he’s bred for further, and he’s been the subject of positive reports from Roger Teal, ahead of this curtain-raiser.

3.35 William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap) 1m

The idea that a recent run is an advantage in the Lincoln these days is unfounded, with horses arriving at Doncaster with one or more runs under their belt, having a shocking recent record (1-108 since 2001).

Ideally, we are looking for a proven turf handicapper or unexposed group-race prospect having its first run of the season and with the ability to go well after a break.

I’m not sure there are many pattern-class horses running here and, while the younger horses again hold sway, there is plenty to like about the chances of last year’s runner-up Lattam, who is best in a big-field handicap over a mile when fresh, with his lifetime record first time up or after 100+ days off the track reading 1122, and including a win in the Irish Lincoln and placed efforts in this and the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot last autumn.

Trainer Julie Camacho could not be in better form, with five winners from her last 10 runners and Lattam is sure to be primed to run for his life once more, making him hard to kick out of the frame.

2.05 Virgin Bet Queen’s Prize Handicap 1m 7f 218y

Kempton’s card looks very tricky and I’m not getting heavily involved. Youthful King will be the rank outsider in the Queen’s Prize, but he might outrun big odds in a tactical race, for all his stamina for two miles is questionable.

Youthful King is a quirky sort, who tends to start slowly, but ran well when a staying-on fifth in the Rosebery on this card 12 months ago and has a better chance here than his odds indicate, assuming the race isn’t run at an end-to-end gallop.

Races over course and distance tend to develop late and Youthful King’s relatively strong late kick could prove a potent weapon, should this turn into a dash for home off the final bend.

2.40 Virgin Bet Rosebery Handicap 1m 2f 219y

Balmacara looks the safest option in a trappy Rosebery. Very consistent until flopping in the Cambridgeshire last term, he’s well-drawn for one who likes to dictate terms and, if he can get an unhassled lead, he is likely to be hard to pass.

Grey Cuban, drawn on his inside, is the potential fly in the ointment, but it’s hard to name any other potential front-runners in the race, and I can see the pace holding up.

3.15 Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 1m

Soprano is the one to beat here, but is priced accordingly, and I’ll be with last year’s third Rose Prick each way. Ed Walker’s mare lacks the class of the favourite, but is very consistent at this level and comes to hand early.

She is a straightforward ride, who is likely to be well-placed from the off and won’t mind what tempo the race is run at.

I’ll be disappointed if she can’t pick up more place money at an attractive price.

Spirit Of Acklam 1.50 Doncaster – 2pts e/w 11/1 (SkyBet 7 places; 12/1 Bet365 6 places)

Dancing Gemini 3.00 Doncaster – 2pts win 10/3 (Hills, 3/1 general)

Lattam 3.35 Doncaster – 1.5pts e/w 12/1 (general – 6 places)

Youthful King 2.05 Kempton – 0.5pts e/w 25/1 (SkyBet 4 places; 33/1 general 3 places)

Rory’s recommended bets last week included Siog Geal (winner 7/2) and Sunset Hill (2nd 25/1)