Hi all,
Inside today's main piece I look at the opening day of Doncaster's St Leger Festival.
Sir Michael Stoute
On Monday, Sir Michael Stoute announced his decision to retire from the training ranks at the end of the season. For those of us who grew up in the golden era of British racing, names like Henry Cecil, John Dunlop, Dick Hern, Guy Harwood, Barry Hills, Jeremy Tree, Philip Walwyn, and Ian Balding were synonymous with success. Among them, Stoute stood out as one of the very best.
For a time, Stoute’s runners were always my first port of call when evaluating a race. Over his illustrious career, he trained countless great horses, from Shergar to Workforce. But for me, three all-time favourites stand out: Green Desert, Sonic Lady, and Kribensis—the latter he guided to win the 1990 Champion Hurdle in Sheikh Mohammed's colours. You can relive Kribensis’s 1990 Champion Hurdle victory here.
Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement doesn't come as a total surprise. Despite the success of Desert Crown in the 2022 Epsom Derby, it’s been clear for a while that the end was approaching. However, it's worth noting that this season, he’s produced some promising juveniles, with Formal being one of the latest winners at Leicester's Fillies Novice Stakes on Monday.
I hope Sir Michael Stoute can end his career with a big race win and bow out on a high note. I wish him a long, happy retirement, reflecting on an unparalleled legacy.
Odds On Forecast Favourites
I’m always delving into horseracebase for angles, and I came across something regarding odds on forecast favourites on the flat in 2024.
If you had backed every forecast favourite this flat season you would be in front this season.
Compare those figures with 2022 & 2023.
It makes you think what’s happening in 2024.
Now I’m not suggesting you back odds-on favourites blind as ultimately, I think they are unplayable. However, it’s something that I thought was worth a quick mention.
Thursday Racing
Doncaster's four-day St Leger meeting kicks off on Thursday, offering an excellent start with two headline Group 2 contests: the Betfred May Hill Stakes (3.00) and the Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (3.35). Both races, along with three others, will be broadcast live on ITV4, bringing top-tier action to fans across the UK.
Doncaster
The May Hill Stakes is a key race for 2-year-old fillies, often producing future Classic contenders. Meanwhile, the Park Hill Stakes, known as the “Fillies' St Leger,” is a gruelling test for fillies and mares over 1 mile and 6 furlongs, echoing the demands of Saturday’s St Leger itself.
You can watch the first five of eight Doncaster races are live on ITV4 this afternoon. It’s the perfect start to what promises to be an exciting four day of high-class racing.
I’ve already mailed out my Doncaster preview to Victor Value subscribers and if you want them for the next month, you can get them here.
Here’s my take on Doncaster's opening race.
1:50 – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 6 ½ f
This looks like a competitive opener with plenty of lightly raced fillies making their handicap debuts. Here’s a quick breakdown of three key contenders:
Skellig Isle showed a determined effort when dropping back to 5f to win at Nottingham. She’ll need to take another step forward in this tougher race, but her recent performance suggests she has more to offer. With her stable in form, she’s one to watch.
Dear Cat impressed when stepping up to 7f, winning from the front at Salisbury last time. She’s expected to improve again, and with her stamina proven, she’s a solid candidate for nursery debut success.
Toomuchforme caught the eye with a win at Ripon last month and ran a solid race when second at Newbury. Making her nursery debut off a workable mark, she also has the advantage of coming from a yard that has won this race twice before. Another likely to be involved.
Should be a good race to start the day!
Before I end, there are two ‘lay or play’ qualifiers on Thursday.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John
Sorry to Disagree, with you about Sir M Stoute, in my Opinion Mr J Dunlop(Castle Stables, Arundel Castle, Arundel, W Sussex). An It’s Got Nothing To Do With Him Giving Me 2-Winners on my 1st Ever Bet(50p Win Patent), Yes I Did Get the 3rd Winner Up, & that 1 Was Trained by Mr J Tree, if I Remember Rightly it was 1981 & When I Was of the Tender Age of 18. “Ha,Ho Let’s GO” There’s a Song THERE…..
Hi Phil,
Yes, I was also a big fan of the John Dunlop yard, had a nice ante post bet on Circus Plume to win the Epsom Oaks (1884) in the McAlpine silks.
John
Didn’t realise you were quite that old JB!!
BTW..sticking to my previous comment re that French 2yr old filly.
She’s the best in Europe surely?
Hope she comes for our Gns next year..taken 14’s with B365 in the hope that she does.
25/1 with Skybet…madness!
Gone in again.
After it wins the Prix Marcel Boussac, it will be much much shorter.
I Do Remember Backing Sir M Stoute(Mr M Stoute Back Then)-&-Sheik Mohammed’s ‘Kribensis’ @’bout 7/8’s & had the Forecast with ‘Nomadic Way’, I Was on Holiday frm Working on Euro-Disney(I Work for a. Comp in Wales who made Fibreglass Props fr TV & Film, & they Got the Contract to Make & Assemble Snow White’s Castle, I was employed as a Painter & the Base was Grey, We Painted 10 ×(I Didn’t Care as I Was on £12:50 an Hour)-& It Was the Same. Colour the LAST TIME As The FIRST TOP Coat, I Made £12,000:00 B4 Tax in 3-Moon(Months), Those Where the Day’s, living on Site(No Rent,Electric,Gas,Water)-I Worked In Germany,Spain,Portugal All Working for English Builders Doing English People’s Houses/Farms they had Bought CHEAP(NOT No MORE), I Bought a Farm in Geos Portugal for £2500 Did It Up(that Cost the Best Part of £20,000:00, & Sold It For £80,000:00, A Nice £55,000:00 CLEAR PROFIT(As There is No Inheritance/Building Tax in Portugal or there wasn’t in’t Early 1990’s…. Good Ol☀️Days….