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St Leger Festival Day 1 Thursday Tips and Previews
THE ST LEGER FESTIVAL KICKS OFF ON THURSDAY! 4 races live on ITV this afternoon. I have covered all 8 races on the card in detail including main dangers.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Thursday Schedule
1.50 Doncaster British Stallion Studs EBF “Carrie Red” Fillies’ Nursery Handicap (Class 2) 61/2f
2.25 Doncaster Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (Class 2) 61/2f
3.00 Doncaster Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2) 1m
3.35 Doncaster Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2) 1m61/2f
Doncaster 1.15
A tricky apprentice handicap to kick off the St Leger Festival from Doncaster and I’m going to take a chance on ABATE bouncing back. He was a game winner at Windsor back in July and was back to form beaten just 3 lengths at Ripon last time under Mia Nicholls. Dropped 1lb for that if he can bounce out and get on the speed 9/1 may well look overpriced. He has some form in the book this season that really stacks up so I do think he is overpriced in what seems an open race on paper.
Strong Johnson ended a losing run to win at Redcar and backed that up going down just half a length at Ripon last time. He is clearly thriving right now and should be bang in the mix once more racing off the same mark as last time. Rambuso Creek looked a bit unlucky beaten 3 lengths at Pontefract last time and down 2lb with Billy Loughnane booked for the ride he is expected to get involved too.
Doncaster 1.50
With 3 wins from just 4 starts GRANNY BUDGIE looks a filly to keep firmly on side for George Scott. I remember him getting interviewed on AtTheRaces before she ran at Ripon last month and he was very bullish regarding her chance. She duly obliged doing it a shade cosily and then followed up impressively at Hamilton last time. She hasn’t been hard pressed by any means to win the last twice so a 7lb rise doesn’t bother me. She is open to plenty more improvement and I can see her completing the hat-trick.
I was with Chic Colombine when she won impressively at Haydock last week. She is feared but this is coming soon enough and she also faces much tougher opposition. She was notably weak in the betting the last day so it will be interesting to see what the market makes of her. Summit is another one to note.
Doncaster 2.25
Given his size and stature JOHANNES BRAHMS probably did quite well to win on debut. He strikes me as a horse that will keep improving with time and experience and I make him the one to beat here. His second to Big Evs in the Windsor Castle is a decent piece of form and then he bumped into Lake Forest at York. He has lots more to come and should run a massive race.
Dragon Leader is a perfect 3-3 and won readily at York last month. The second, third and fourth have all been beaten since though so I’m not sure he deserves to be so short. Flaccianello impressed at Newmarket but will probably need the heavens to open.
Doncaster 3.00
Too Darn Hot filly Darnation was an impressive winner at Glorious Goodwood last month and she will likely prove popular but I think this is a more open renewal of the May Hill than the betting is suggesting. Golden Hill filly ROMANOVA catches the eye at an each way price for Ollie Sangster. She was clueless when down the field at Sandown on debut but quickly left that behind to win impressively at Salisbury last month. She made all on that occasion and galloped rivals into submission. She is open to improvement and might surprise a few here.
The favourite Darnation would have to be considered the main danger but others to look out for include Sea The Stars filly Meribella who made a bright start winning on debut at Newmarket. With Ralph Beckett going so well she will improve and could play a hand. See The Fire also won first time out and is another one who should do better.
Doncaster 3.35
Galileo filly ONE EVENING has been knocking on the door lately and I thought that was another big run going down just a head to a progressive filly in Sea Theme in a Listed race at York last month. She goes back up in trip which should suit and given the yard have won 3 of the last 4 renewals of this (Enbihaar, Free Wind and Mimikyu) they know what is required. Buick is in the saddle which is another plus and it could pay to adopt more patient tactics on her this time around.
Plenty of dangers but the favourite Sumo Sam will probably need more rain to be seen to best effect. She was obviously impressive winning the Lillie Langtry but that was in deep ground and she’ll need her stamina to come into play in a big way for her to follow up. Golden Lyra didn’t run badly in France last time and is another one along with Boogie Woogie that will be wanting a say in the finish.
Doncaster 4.10
The betting is suggesting this is wide open but I think it’s between Kingfisher King and IF NOT NOW and it is the latter I’m really keen on. This colt by Iffraaj shaped as though he’d be better for the run behind Gregory on return at Haydock and duly improved to win by 7 lengths at Sandown. That was a really promising win and he wasn’t disgraced in a Group 1 over in Germany last time. Back down to a mile and a quarter he has more to come and should get firmly back on track here.
Kingfisher King has form figures of 212 and has done little wrong so far. He was only denied a neck on return at Hamilton and should strip fitter for the run. His mark looks fair and he should get involved. Of the rest Sisyphus Strength impressed winning at Newmarket and then was only denied a neck by the progressive Reach at York in what looked a good race so also has a chance.
Doncaster 4.45
Things didn’t go to plan for EL JASOR at York but he was quickly back to form to win albeit narrowly at Newbury last time. He showed a great attitude to prevail and the second Valsad is a decent animal so that form looks pretty useful. He is 6lb higher but Charlie Fellowes reaches for first-time cheekpieces which should help bring about further improvement and he should run another big race with Jamie Spencer in the saddle again.
Harappan has gone 2-2 since joining Iain Jardine and now handicapping could have more to offer so looks one of the dangers. In The Breeze has won 2 of his last 3 and despite a 6lb rise is another one I think will get competitive. Vaguely Royal needs to bounce back but should enjoy coming back in trip at least.
Doncaster 5.20
Kingman colt MAFNOOD showed a good attitude to get off the mark at Haydock last month and given that form has been strongly franked since an opening mark of 84 may still prove lenient. The runner-up Touch The Moon won easily at Carlisle, the fourth Victory Shout won on the bridle by 9 lengths also at Carlisle and even the sixth Age Of Time won at Wolverhampton next time out.
He is open to plenty of improvement and looks good value to beat Nellie Leylax. The latter is clearly thriving eyeing up a hat-trick now but I’m not sure he beat a great deal at Haydock last time and a 6lb rise against more unexposed rivals will demand more. Spanish Blaze has won 2 of his last 3 and impressed at Sandown so could even end up the main danger.
St Leger Festival Day 1 Win Double
I’ve combined my two best bets at Doncaster on Thursday to make a Win Double. Pays 12/1!
St Leger Festival Day 1 Win Double
Doncaster 2.25 Johannes Brahms NEXT BEST
Doncaster 5.20 Mafnood NOTEBOOK
Pays 12/1!
St Leger Festival Day 1 Lucky 15
I have taken four of my bets at Doncaster on Thursday and combined them to make a Lucky 15 which looks decent value. Pays 1,300/1!