Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at today’s feature race at Doncaster this afternoon.
The Group 3 Sceptre Fillies' Stakes (3.35) is the feature race on final day of Doncaster's St Leger Festival. The undercard also includes the Listed Scarbrough Stakes (4.10). Sadly, the latter race attracted just four runners. Add in the Leger Legends race (3:00) and two Class 5 handicaps that bookend the card and this is a poor way to end a supposedly major festival.
The racing is too weak for four day meeting and should be reduced to three with it ending with the St Leger on Saturday.
Listowel’s Harvest Festival gets underway on Sunday afternoon. It’s the first of six days racing at the Irish racecourse which ends next Saturday. I will be having a few selections at the meeting over the next few days but not as many as I’ve had in the past.
Doncaster
3:35 – Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies' Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) – 7f
Last year’s 1,000 Guineas heroine Cachet makes a belated seasonal reappearance in the Doncaster feature race. A long absence shouldn’t be a problem for the 4-year-old as she won first time up in 2021 and last year. She’s the one to beat if returning at anything like at her best.
Of her ten rivals the one that looks a shade of value is Irish challenger Clounmacon. The 3-year-old won a soft ground Listed race (6f) at Naas two starts back and showed she remained in from when a 4 ½ length 4th of 11 back at Naas in a Group 3, three weeks ago. A decently run 7f could be her optimum trip and she has each way claims.
Nigiri showed she didn’t need soft ground when completing the hat trick in valuable fillies’ handicap at York last month. Looked like a Group filly in victory last time and fully deserves her place in today’s line-up. If Cachet does need the run, then she’s the one most likely to take advantage.
Sunday Selection:
Doncaster
4:45 – Monsieur Melee looked like he would be suited by a return to a mile when a length 3rd of 8 at Musselburgh 18 days ago. Makes his debut here and looks set for a big run.
Monsieur Melee – 9/4 @ Bet365 & Coral.
Good luck with your Sunday bets.
John