The four-day St Leger Festival, named after the oldest Classic race of the season taking place this Saturday, begins this afternoon at Doncaster. The day’s highlights include two Group 2 races exclusively for fillies.
I have predictions for all five races being broadcast on ITV1 today, including a top pick (nap), with detailed analysis available further down the page. Besides the racing action, there’s also Champions League football tonight and the Irish Open golf tournament starting, making it a thrilling day for sports enthusiasts.
Doncaster Racing Tips – Top Picks and Analysis Below
Ron Wood’s Selections (Odds from Sky Bet, accurate at time of publication):
- 1:15 pm Doncaster: Wondervision ⭐⭐⭐ at 4/1
- 2:25 pm Doncaster: Besieged ⭐⭐⭐ at 5/1
- 3:35 pm Doncaster: Musical Times (nap) ⭐⭐⭐ at 5/4
1:15 pm Doncaster – Class 2 Fillies’ Nursery Handicap (6½f)
I’m backing Wondervision, who was a successful tip here when winning at Wolverhampton last month. This was her first handicap race after a nearly three-month break. Although moving up from Class 5, Wondervision, a half-sister to the 100-rated Whip Cracker, likely still holds a competitive handicap mark of 72.
2:25 pm Doncaster – Class 2 Handicap (1m 2f)
Besieged, trained by Harry Charlton, catches my eye in this useful handicap for three-year-olds. After finishing second in his first two runs, he powered home to win a modest Salisbury maiden over 1m 2f in June. He’s been rested since to avoid fast ground, and with his pedigree—by Dubawi and out of Group 1 winner Snow Lantern—he shows strong potential.
3:00 pm Doncaster – Group 2 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (1m 6½f)
Despite a few recent setbacks from trainer Owen Burrows’ stable, Waardah remains my favourite. She won a Group 2 at Goodwood last season and was narrowly third in this year’s renewal, running as the 9/4 favourite. Now wearing a hood for the first time to help her settle, she looks a promising contender.
3:35 pm Doncaster – Group 2 May Hill Stakes (1m)
Among the promising two-year-old fillies, Musical Times stands out. She is the sole entry from Charlie Appleby for next month’s Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Appleby previously won this race and the Fillies’ Mile with Desert Flower, who went on to win the 1,000 Guineas the following year. Musical Times shares a similar profile, having won minor 7f races in her first two starts.
Summary of Thursday’s Doncaster Picks:
- 1:15 pm – Wondervision
- 1:50 pm – Night In Vegas
- 2:25 pm – Besieged
- 3:00 pm – Waardah
- 3:35 pm – Musical Times (nap)
Racing Fixtures for Thursday, September 10 – UK and Ireland:
Flat: Doncaster, Epsom, Lingfield, Laytown
Jumps: Worcester
Free-to-view coverage: ITV1 from 1:00 to 3:59 pm offers live racing from the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
Star Ratings Explained:
Stars indicate the confidence level of selections (maximum five). Odds from Sky Bet as of writing.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Confident pick
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong fancy
- ⭐⭐⭐ Fair claim
- ⭐⭐ Tentative choice
- ⭐ Minimum confidence
- 🚨 denotes Group 1 race
Fan Take:
This preview of the St Leger Festival offers horse racing fans an excellent insight into promising contenders and key races, sharpening excitement for the sport’s autumn highlight. With a mix of emerging young horses and proven performers, it highlights the depth and talent shaping the future of racing.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
