THE magnificent statue of Double Trigger standing just to the side of the winners' circle at Doncaster racecourse is a fitting reminder of one of the truly great all-time stayers to have graced the Town Moor.

Double Trigger won the Doncaster Cup three times during the nineties, due in no uncertain terms to the sublime skill of his trainer Mark Johnston, who has the happy knack of keeping his long distance horses free from injury for year after year.

And this afternoon it is another of Johnston's rugged and durable staying stars, Darasim (2.50), who has been given the task of bringing the GNER-sponsored Cup back to his stronghold at Kingsley House, Middleham.

Despite being pitched into battle with alarming regularity, Darasim (2.50) just keeps on coming back for more. For instance he ran twice at Glorious Goodwood, finishing runner-up to his stable-mate Scott's View on the first day of the meeting, prior to winning a valuable Listed race three days later.

Since that time he's also run a tremendous race in defeat when third to Boreas and Cover Up in the Group 3 Lonsdale Stakes at York's Ebor Festival. It was a quite remarkable performance in the sense that not for the first time Darasim had a bit of mid-race sulk and dropped back to the rear of the field.

But Kevin Darley did not give up the cause, galvanising his mount to such good effect in the home straight that by the time Boreas has crossed the winning line, Darley and Darasim were only a matter of just over one length behind.

That contest was run over a trip of two miles, whereas today there is an extra two furlongs to travel - ideal for Darasim to get his revenge.

It's not often that Lynda Ramsden books Frankie Dettori to ride one of her horses so perhaps it may pay to sit up and take notice of Bishops Court (4.25) in the Listed Scarborough Stakes.

Lynda has an excellent record at the meeting over the past five years with four winners from just 21 runners - a more-than-respectable strike-rate of 19per cent. The Thirsk-based handler won the race 12 months ago with Astonished, and having commandeered Dettori to do the steering on Bishops Court, it would seem the Ramsden team fancy their chances of an encore.

The closing seven furlong Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons Handicap is a proper teaser for punters.

Those at the top of the weights make most appeal with Deceitful (4.55) of particular interest. David Evans certainly hasn't let the grass grow under Deceitful's feet - he seems to run at least once a week. None the less it is a tactic that works for the selection, up a few pounds for winning the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon, but still in the sort of shape to send his backers home happy.

Not for the first time Uttoxeter have rustled up some fairly decent purses for a mid-week fixture, money which has lured up some raiders up from the west country.

Jumping is very much the name of the game at the Midlands venue, renowned for its' trappy fences, however I don't think there'll be any worries on that score for Pecadillo (4.05), as fast and as accurate at his obstacles as virtually any horse currently in training.

* Bollin Eric is reported ''in great form'' ahead of his bid to become the first northern-trained winner of the St Leger since Peleid scored for Malton-based Bill Elsey in 1973.

His trainer Tim Easterby got this year's St Leger Festival off to the perfect start by winning the first two races of the four-day meeting and he will be hoping his luck holds out with Bollin Eric in the Rothmans Royals-sponsored Classic on Saturday.

''He's eating tremendously well and is in great form - he'll run well,'' Easterby declared. In an open race the north is also represented by ante-post favourite Bandari from Mark Johnston's Middleham yard.

Connections of March Stakes winner First Charter are also hoping the current fast conditions ease ahead of the St Leger

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