Doyle believes Mince can win Group One race

A winner at Pontefract in October 2011, Roger Charlton’s filly came to prominence when winning at the West Yorkshire track last August under the now disgraced Frankie Dettori.

She then confirmed the form at the end of the season by winning York’s Garrowby Stakes and then the Group Three Bengough Stakes at Ascot under today’s jockey James Doyle.

Though Doyle, one of the weighing room’s rising stars, has had a quiet start to the 2013 season, he heads to Knavesmire brimming with confidence after piloting the Charlton-trained Derwent to a battling victory at Doncaster on Monday.

Doyle also believes Mince, favourite for today’s six furlong sprint, can win a Group One race – the only omission from the race record of the Charlton-trained Bated Breath, who has been retired to stud.

“Her preparation has been good. I’ve sat on her quite a few times and she has given me some nice breezes,” he said.

“She’s done nothing but please me and has improved with every bit of work she has had. She should show up nicely. She’s quite a heavy mare and does have a good blow after her gallops.

“She goes there in decent nick but she should come on for it. She did well to win at Ascot on ground that she struggled to cope with. She was very tough that day and I’m really looking forward to her this year. I think she’ll be a Group One horse.”

However, David Nagle is praying the rain comes for Maarek, winner of last season’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.

The County Tipperary trainer has booked Paul Hanagan for the ride in the hope that his local knowledge will be an advantage. “I don’t know Paul, but I’m glad to have him. I know he’s been top jockey there,” he said.

Hanagan is looking forward to the ride. “I’ve not sat on him before, but I’ve seen him plenty of times and he’s a very classy horse,” said the two-times champion jockey.