Saddler's bids to land Cup again Johnny Murtagh is expecting Saddler's Rock to put a rare disappointing performance behind him as he bids to land the Stobart Doncaster Cup for the second consecutive year. The John Oxx-trained colt burst onto the staying scene with a brilliant performance in this two-and-a-quarter-mile Group Two 12 months ago, his final performance as a three-year-old. After a pleasing return at Leopardstown, Saddler's Rock was a close third behind Colour Vision in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, but turned the tables on that opponent when landing the Goodwood Cup early last month. He was unsurprisingly a warm order to follow up in the Lonsdale Cup on his latest appearance, but found himself in front early on tacky ground and faded quickly after the home turn. He renews rivalries with Colour Vision and Lonsdale winner Times Up on Town Moor, but his jockey is in confident mood. "A few of John's horses were just running in and out at that time (York). He's very happy with him at the moment," Murtagh told At The Races. "He wants fast ground, so hopefully we don't get any more rain. "He worked the other morning and seems in very good form and John wouldn't send him over if he didn't think he was right back to his best. "We expect a good run, the track will suit him and the trip will suit. I'd expect a big run from him. "He'll have a busy campaign from now until the end of the season and hopefully he can get back to winning ways." Saeed bin Suroor's Gold Cup hero Colour Vision was far from disgraced in finishing third at Goodwood and the Godolphin trainer feels the more conventional nature of Doncaster's course will suit him much better. "His last piece of work went very well, he's in good form and seems happy," said bin Suroor. "I think Doncaster is a course that will suit him well. I think the track will be better for him than Goodwood. "He has run well on soft and good ground in the past, so I have no worries about the ground." Eddie Ahern missed the ride on Times Up at York, but has partnered the John Dunlop inmate to a couple of Listed-race victories. He believes the six-year-old has every chance of following up if he puts his best foot forward this afternoon. Ahern said: "When he wins, he wins like he did at York. He's a horse that travels very well, loves passing horses and is normally still on the bridle at the furlong pole. "He wasn't running up to his best earlier in the season, but all of John's horses were under a bit of a cloud then and they are running much better now. "It's probably a tougher race tomorrow, but if he reproduces that York run and there is a decent pace, you'd have to fancy his chances. "He's won on faster ground and softer ground. Personally I think genuine good ground is ideal for him." James Fanshawe's High Jinx chased home Times Up on the Knavesmire and the Newmarket handler is hopeful of another competitive effort. He said: "It's a good race and I was glad to see the rain fall on Wednesday as he's a horse who likes a bit of ease in the ground. "He ran very well at York and hopefully he'll give a good account of himself again. "He's running over a bit further but he was staying on in the last furlong at York, so hopefully that will suit him."
