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Curragh: Illinois Ready to Rule Irish St Leger

Hi all,

It’s the final day of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival. The meeting ends on a quieter note, with the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes the feature.

Over in Ireland it’s day two of Irish Champions Weekend, the action moving from Leopardstown to the Curragh for an eight-race card. Four Group 1s headline the afternoon, all live on ITV Racing alongside five races from Doncaster.

It’s worth flagging the weather. Heavy rain is forecast at Doncaster from around 4pm, so conditions could change for the later races. Similar story at the Curragh, where rain is expected from late morning. If it comes in the predicted amounts, the ground should ease as the day goes on.

Inside today’s main piece is my quick guide to the best of the action at the Curragh including the four ITV races. Plus, there’s a look at four of the Doncaster races on the final day of it’s St Leger Festival.

Read More »Curragh: Illinois Ready to Rule Irish St Leger

Irish Champions Weekend

Hi all,

It’s a huge day of Flat racing in Britain and Ireland – without doubt the best quality day of the flat season. At Doncaster we have the final Classic, the Betfred St Leger (3.40). The Town Moor card is strong, but it can’t quite match what’s on offer at Leopardstown.

Day one of Irish Champions Weekend brings a mammoth nine-race card. The feature is the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (5:30) with eight declared, while eleven fillies and mares contest the other top-level event, the Matron Stakes (4:25). ITV Racing will be showing the first five races from Leopardstown alongside two from Chester.

I’ve got plenty of fancies (15) across Doncaster and Leopardstown, but you can’t back them all. I’ve had to be selective and, sod’s law, the winners will no doubt come from the ones I’ve left out.

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Betfred Doncaster Cup: Will It Be Another Sweet Success?

Hi all,

Apologies for the late posting of yesterday’s column. I was so caught up preparing my Day 2 preview for subscribers that I only realised it was still waiting to be published as they went into the stalls for the first race.

Day 2 of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival brings the Group 2 Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup (3.00). Last year’s winner Sweet William heads the market to follow up. The speedy two-year-olds take centre stage in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes (2.25). ITV Racing has five live races from Town Moor and also shows the rescheduled Group 3 Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes from Salisbury, lost to waterlogging last week.

Inside today’s main piece you can read my quick thoughts on the seven ITV races.

First though something you might find interesting regarding handicap favourites.

Read More »Betfred Doncaster Cup: Will It Be Another Sweet Success?