Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on St Leger Day.

The Betfred St Leger Stakes (3.35) is the headline race of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival and the final Classic of the British flat season.

Today’s race sees Desert Hero bid to become the first Royal winner of the race since Dunfermline in 1977. The undercard is also strong with two Group 2 contests the Champagne Stakes (1:50) & Park Stakes (3:00).

ITV Racing are covering four races from Doncaster and two from Chester this afternoon.

Doncaster St Leger Festival – Day 4

1:50 – Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2) -7f

Rosallion knew his job when winning at Newbury on racecourse debut in June and improved significantly to win a Listed race at Ascot 49 days ago. Chindit landed that Ascot race for the yard in 2020 before going onto to land today’s race. The son of Blue Point is an excellent prospect and a worthy market leader, and I expect him to emulate Chindit and win this. 

Iberian also won at Newbury on racecourse debut. He then improved again to finish a length 2^nd of 9 to Haatem in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last time. He still looked a bit green at Goodwood so there should be more to come from the Lope De Vega colt. Capable of better and should give the favourite a race.

Verdict: Rosallion is the best British trained juvenile we’ve seen this season. Iberian is a useful prospect himself, I can’t see him preventing Rosallion from maintaining his unbeaten record.

3:00 – Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

Not the strongest of fields for this Group 2 contest with just six declared to run. It’s hard to look beyond the favourite Spycatcher who relishes soft ground and posted a career best when a short head 2^nd of 10 in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time.

Verdict: Like the opening Group 2 this isn’t a betting race for me. However, I will be surprised if Spycatcher doesn’t win a weak looking race for the grade.

3:35 – Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) – 1m 6 ½ f

Despite just nine runners it’s one of the most open renewals of the race in many years.

I previewed the race in Wednesday’s column and I’m still taking on the front three in the betting with Chesspiece and Tower Of London.

Saturday Selection:

Dancing Gemini was a winning nap for the column on Friday. I’m continuing with the juvenile theme for Saturday’s pick and going for one that is making his racecourse debut at Doncaster.

I want to make it clear I have now insider information as regards my pick in the mile maiden (4:45).

At Vimeiro cost 650,000 gns yearling and the son of Sea The Stars is out of German mare who Group 2 winner and finished runner-up in a Group 1. If the race does go to one of the racecourse debutants it could well be this colt that, does it.

Doncaster

4:45 – At Vimeiro – 15/2 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John