Aidan O’Brien seeks a 10th St Leger title at Doncaster on Saturday, running four of the 11 runners, including the well-fancied Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard; Hollie Doyle backing husband Tom Marquand to win Group Two Park Stakes (2.55) Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle marks your card for the 250th St Leger and a stellar undercard at Doncaster on Saturday – live on Sky Sports Racing – and has a look at Leopardstown. Who stands in the way of Aidan O’Brien and a brilliant 10th success in the world’s oldest Classic, the Betfred St Leger Stakes (3.35) at Doncaster on Saturday? He saddles four runners on the 250th anniversary of the great race including probable favourite Christmas Day, who is bidding to become the first Derby winner to triumph since Reference Point 39 years ago. Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien looks the most likely opponent to spoil the Ballydoyle party with the impressive Enceladus, who steps up to Group One company for the first time after excelling in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
However, I believe Aidan can complete the feat – not with Christmas Day but with his tough stable companion PIERRE BONNARD, who finished in front of him in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month. This more demanding test of stamina is what he’s been crying out for, and he can write his own piece of history. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player GENTLE HURRICANE left his novice win well behind when chasing home Haffner in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York last month and can go one better in the Betfred Champagne Stakes (1.45) on Saturday. Andrew Balding’s colt will be very much in his comfort zone over seven furlongs at Doncaster in this Group Two and can put that experience to good use in an open renewal.
Likely favourite Desert Castle made a big impression on debut at the July Course in Newmarket when he shot to the head of the 2,000 Guineas betting, but this represents a big step up in grade which poses questions. Meanwhile, Willie Muir and Chris Grassick pitch Breacher into this higher grade following his promising third in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown – a run that entitles him to be in the mix. Leger Festival: James Doyle bites back at Seb Sanders over Flying Childers clash comments Doncaster Cup: George Scott’s Caballo De Mar bounces back to form in Town Moor Group 2 Leger Festival: Caballo De Mar crowned Doncaster Cup king Leger Festival: Seb Sanders FUMES after Doncaster finish drama in the Flying Childers! Doncaster tips: Amelia Earhart fancied for St Leger upset at Doncaster Hollie Doyle: Doncaster Cup can go to Ballydoyle for first time since 2008 It just hasn’t been MORE THUNDER’s year in top mile races but the return to seven furlongs in the Group Two Betfred Park Stakes (2.55) on Saturday can see him return to the winners’ enclosure.
He couldn’t quite see out the trip after coming to win his race in the Prix Jacques le Marois last month but a strongly-run seven should play to his strengths. Qirat, who ran a huge race to be second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, should ensure a searching, end-to-end gallop, along with Witness Stand, but my husband Tom Marquand’s mount has the talent to overhaul them. At a bigger price, I’d like to see Kevin Ryan’s Volterra run a big race on his first start since being gelded. It’s interesting that he’s pitched straight into a race of this calibre after finishing second to Docklands at this track back in March.
The Betfred Portland Handicap (2.20) on Saturday is a tough puzzle to solve but the dash could go to Jack Channon’s GETREADYTORUMBLE. The four-year-old has run well in the face of some tough assignments in Listed and Group company this year and enjoyed the return top handicaps when beating all but one in a five-furlong sprint at Ascot in July. He must defy a career-high rating to win this cavalry charge, but I like the class angle. I marginally prefer him to last year’s winner Eternal Sunshine, who looks sure to make another bold bid under 5lbs claimer Laura Young.
The duo tuned up with a good win at Hamilton last time while one of my favourites Toca Madera deserves to win a big handicap after a string of near misses at Goodwood and York this year. What a race the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (5.00) at Leopardstown on Saturday promises to be with the first three home in last month’s Juddmonte International locking horns once again. Item, who overhauled Almaqam in that Titanic duel, needs to prove he’s as potent on this stiffer track as he is at York while Aidan O’Brien’s CONSTITUTION RIVER sets out to prove his doubters wrong after that underwhelming run on The Knavesmire. I’m prepared to forgive the brilliant French Derby and Eclipse winner that defeat as he simply pulled away his chance in the early part of the race.
If Ryan Moore can get him to settle better, he can show what a great colt he is. Almaqam deserves so much credit for getting within a whisker of winning the International and can show that was no fluke on a track and ground that will suit him. The quicker they go the better for Kieran Shoemark’s likeable colt. I can see no reason Andrew Balding can’t continue his golden summer with the brilliant BLUE BOLT in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (3.55) at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Unbeaten in all four starts this year, she can claim her third success at the highest level by confirming her superiority over Aidan O’Brien’s Precise, who has finished behind her in both the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Rothschild. Aidan could control the race with both Precise and True Love being so well drawn but I still expect Blue Bolt to come out on top, while last year’s winner Fallen Angel beat Juddmonte’s star filly in last season’s Sun Chariot and shouldn’t be written off on ground she will enjoy.
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