Hi all,
Racing is on strike today, so there’s no action this side of the Irish Sea on Wednesday. Still, the weekend promises plenty with the St Leger and Irish Champions Weekend fast approaching.
Inside today's main piece you'll find some trainers to note at the Doncaster St Leger Festival.
Doncaster’s four-day St Leger Festival begins on Thursday, with the final Classic of the season on Saturday. But truth be told, Doncaster pales beside the quality on offer at Leopardstown and the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.
Eight were left in this year’s St Leger at the final confirmation stage, though we could lose more before final declarations on Thursday.
On a personal note, I had problems accessing the Racing Post cards, results, and videos yesterday. After a few hours things started to return but it was very frustrating, especially as I was trying to study Doncaster’s St Leger Festival for today’s article.
Doncaster St Leger Festival
Each September, Doncaster Racecourse becomes the centre of the racing world for the St Leger Festival. Spread across four days, it blends history, fashion, and high-class sport in equal measure.
The highlight is Saturday’s St Leger Stakes, first run in 1776 founded by Colonel Anthony St. Leger and still the world’s oldest Classic. Run over 1m6f, it tests the stamina of the season’s top three-year-olds and completes the British Classic series.
But the Festival is more than one race. Thursday’s Ladies Day kicks things off with South Yorkshire glamour and style, while Friday’s Doncaster Cup provides staying power and tradition. Sunday rounds things off with a family-friendly card and the popular Leger Legends charity race.
With over 50,000 racegoers expected and millions watching at home, the St Leger Festival remains a jewel in the Flat racing season. That said it’s also fair to say the meeting is padded out. Four days feels far too long. A tighter two-day meeting would be much stronger.
This festival isn’t just about racing. It’s a major boost to Doncaster’s economy and community contributing £25 million to the local economy.
St Leger Festival Trainers to Note
I thought I would do something different and use the dig function on horseracebase to find trainers who have done well at the meeting since 2019.
John & Thady Gosden shine in non-handicap races. Backing their runners at 13/2 and shorter has returned 11 winners from 18 runners (61%) +12.76 to level stakes, with 15 placing.
Charlie Appleby is another trainer’s punters can’t ignore in non-handicaps. All his seven winners had a victory in their last three starts. That angle has produced 7 winners from 13 runners (54%) +15.38 to level stakes +15.38, with 12 placing.
For something a little under the radar, Marco Botti has quietly enjoyed success at the meeting. His three winners were all 3yo or 4yo with limited experience at the distance (0–2 runs). That angle has produced 3 winners from 5 runners (60%) +18.33 to level stakes, with 4 placing.
Aidan O’Brien’s overall record looks modest – 4 winners from 44 runners (9%), showing 29.5 loss to level stakes if backed blind. Yet there are positives. At 3/1 or shorter, he’s 4 from 12 (33%) for +2.5, with 9 placing. Importantly, two of those came in the St Leger. He’s 2 from 2 +5.75 with final-classic runners 3/1 & under who also won last time out which that bodes well for this year’s St Leger favourite, Scandinavia.
The big yards tend to dominate the four days, but a sharp eye for these trainer patterns could pay dividends again this week.
Saturday’s Doncaster Shortlist
I’ve had an early look at Saturday’s Doncaster card for potentially well-treated horses in the three handicaps. It’s not straightforward from an ante-post angle with ground conditions uncertain. The going is close to good now, but rain is forecast from Wednesday, but there’s uncertainty as to how much will hit the track.
1:15 – Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Treasure Time, trained by William Haggas, was a good fourth in last year’s race and looks on a good mark. The concern is the ground, but he’s interesting if handling ease. He also holds an entry in the 4:50, which complicates things. The 10/1 available with William Hill looks big if he runs here.
Atlantic Gamble is another worth noting. He handles soft ground well. The doubt is whether he gets into the race.
2:25 – Betfred Portland Handicap – 5½f
Plenty look well treated: Jer Batt, Apollo One, Air Force One, Jakajaro, Jordan Electrics, and Rosario.
Jer Batt should enjoy this intermediate trip but also holds a Sunday entry here in a 5f handicap. A jockey is booked for that race, which may be a clue.
Apollo One went down by a nose in last year’s Portland and is 1lb lower now. Danny Tudhope is booked, which looks a plus.
Air Force One is knocking on the door. He ran second at York on Sunday but is already at the head of the market at 6/1.
Jakajaro was a solid third at Ascot last Saturday and is another who could be suited by this trip. Billy Loughnane is jocked up but also booked on stablemate Rhythm N Hooves, so running plans aren’t clear.
Jordan Electrics returned to form when a length 5th of 20 to Northern Ticker in Constantine Handicap at York last time. His yard has won two of the last three renewals, which makes him interesting.
Rosario has blown the start on his last two runs but is dangerously well handicapped. His trainer has a fine Portland record, winning the race in 2019, had the first past the post in 2022 and close-up fifth in 2021. Tom Marquand is booked.
4:50 – Handicap (Class 2) – 1m2f
Top weight Botanical is well treated on last year’s best form. He returns from a 99-day break, for a stable in good form.
Treasure Time could run here instead of the mile race and think this new trip could suit. Stablemate Regalian is also one to consider. He returns from a short break, looks on a good mark but may benefit from some headgear.
Auld Toon Loon was back to winning ways at Windsor last month. He’s only up 2lb and remains on a competitive mark. The booking of Oisin Murphy catches the eye.
Wednesday Racing
No action in the UK today due to the strike, but Cork steps in for those needing a betting fix. Seven races, 115 runners, and no doubt a few plots lurking. Call me a strike breaker if you like, but I was determined to find one for the 30-day staking challenger and I have.
Cork 5:10 – Handicap (6f)
Just the 21 runners to sift through here. Don’t worry, I’m not going through them all.
Colter Bay caught the eye when winning a weak C&D maiden last time. He’s open to further progress now handicapping for the first time. His success came on quick ground, but if he handles some ease, he looks a big player from stall 5.
Send Harry is still a maiden after 11 runs but has been consistent. He’s finished third on his last three starts in big-field handicaps. His latest was a career-best, beaten just ¾ length in a 21-runner Curragh race 11 days ago. He runs off 1lb lower here and should appreciate the ground. Seven furlongs may suit him better, but with conditions in his favour he has solid claims of breaking his duck.
Send Harry – £1.60 win – 11/ 1
Running Total: £73.60
Tomorrow I’ll look at the best of the action from day one of the St Leger Festival.
All the best,
John
To get John's St Leger betting advice and full analysis join him for the St Leger meeting for just a fiver – Click Here