Hi all,
Before turning my attention to Doncaster, a few words on Irish Champions Weekend. The headline act is Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Twelve stood their ground at the five-day stage.
Rain is forecast for Friday, so conditions are likely to be easier than they have been in recent months. That said, the amounts have been marked down on the weather app I follow.
Coral Eclipse winner and International Stakes runner-up Delacroix heads the ante-post betting. Anmaat and progressive three-year-old Zahrann follow in the market. On what they’ve achieved, Anmaat brings the stronger form and should be shorter than Zahrann. The latter has yet to race on anything worse than good, while Anmaat goes well with cut in the ground. Zahrann is priced more on potential than proven form.
Last year’s third Shin Emperor could return for Japan, but easing ground won’t suit him. If soft enters the going description, the likes of White Birch, Royal Champion, and Hotazhell all come into consideration.
Away from the Champion Stakes, there’s a second Group 1 on the card — the Matron Stakes. Thirteen fillies and mares were left in at the final entry stage. Fallen Angel, who bounced back to winning form in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville last month, tops the market. Runner-up in this race last year, she’ll also appreciate easier ground. Next best is three-year-old January, who was a head second in the Prix Rothschild. Royal Ascot winner Cercene will enjoy the return to a mile, but softer conditions would be a worry.
Doncaster: St Leger Festival
It’s Ladies Day at Doncaster on Day 1 of Doncaster St Leger Festival and it’s the fillies that take centre stage on the track with the Group 2 Betfred May Hill Stakes (2.25) and Group 2 Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (3.00) the highlights of an eight-race card. However, the most valuable race on the card is the £300,000 sales race (1.50).
ITV Racing are covering the first five races live.
For racing nerds like me the BHA website gives us the latest conditions at Doncaster. Here's their report for the course on Thursday morning.
It was good to soft, good on the straight course on Wednesday morning but they had 5.66mm of rain on Wednesday. I'm going to assume it will be good to soft all over this afternoon. For information the going stick is 6.0 and 12 months ago it was 6.1 on day one of the St Leger Festival.
I’ve sent out my Day 1 preview to subscribers. If you want all my selections for the Doncaster St Leger Festival and Irish Champions Weekend you can get them for just a fiver – Click Here
Here’s a highly abridged preview of the five ITV races.
1:15 – Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 6½f
Half Sovereign is chasing a four-timer and looked game when winning at Newmarket last time.
Brisk Symphony made a good impression winning a Newbury novice and looks fairly treated on nursery debut.
Siouxpersonic shaped with plenty of promise at Thirsk and steps up in trip, while Miss Piggle returns from wind surgery with Oisin Murphy booked.
1:50 – Weatherbys Scientific 300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (Class 2) – 6½f
Song Of The Clyde was a good York winner of a similar contest but must cope with different ground and a high draw in stall 20.
Calendar Girl looks progressive and capable of more but might prefer better ground.
Rising Empire, from the Andrew Balding yard that has twice won this, could prove better suited by Doncaster than Epsom last time. He’s back from a break and has scope to improve.
2:25 – Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2) – 1m
Moon Target lost her unbeaten record in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood but shaped as though Doncaster will suit here. She’s versatile ground-wise and should relish the step up in trip.
Aylin, one place behind Moon Target in the Prestige Stakes, looks likely to improve for a mile and easier ground.
Venetian Lace has arguably smiliar form to Moon Target and could make the running.
Whilst lightly raced LTO winners Pacific Mission and Rose Ghaiyyath are open to further improvement.
3:00 – Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (Group 2) – 1m6½f
The so-called “fillies’ St Leger” features sevral in with a chance.
Danielle ran a cracker when runner-up to Waardah in the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes (1m 6f) at Goodwood last time. She has good claims on easy ground.
Stablemate Crepe Suzette is improving but needs to back up her recent runner-up effort in the Listed Galtres Stakes at York. But there should be more to come from her over today’s longer trip if handling contrasting ground.
Consent finished her race off well when a 2½ lengths 2nd of 10 in a Group 3 (1m4½f) at Deauville last month. She handles easy ground and is open to further improvement.
Irish raider Elana Osario arrives in for and handles easy ground.
Santorini Star has stamina on her side but must prove herself at this level.
3:35 – Handicap (Class 2) – 1m2f
First Principle and Respond are two unexposed handicap debutants to seriously consider. I like the latter who looks on a good mark on handicap debut, if handling slower ground.
Castle Stuart arrives after a solid York run last time.
Hopewell Rock should come forward from his recent return to action.
Molveno and Palazzo Blu, trained by Marco Botti are both back from breaks and likely suited by the ground. Palazzo Blu will be ridden by Osin Murphy but Molveno, a Group 2 winner in Italy last time, fits the Marco Botti angle I highlighted in yesterday’s column.
Yesterday’s selection Send Harry was a non-runner. Here's Thursday’s selection for the 30-day staking challenge.
Doncaster St Leger Festival
4:33 – Boling Over – £1.60 win
Running Total: £73.60
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John