Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle is gearing up for the 250th running of the St. Leger, a marquee event at Doncaster that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. She also takes a quick look at the action slated for Leopardstown later in the weekend.
The big question on Saturday is which horse might stand in the way of Aidan O'Brien’s quest for a historic tenth win in the world’s oldest Classic, the Betfred St. Leger Stakes (3.35). O'Brien has entered four runners to celebrate the race’s quarter‑century milestone, the most likely of which is the hot favourite Christmas Day. That colt is aiming to become the first Derby winner to capture the St.
Leger since Reference Point did it 39 years ago. A strong challenger could emerge from the O'Brien stable itself: Joseph O'Brien, Aidan’s son, is likely to ride the highly regarded Enceladus.
The three‑year‑old is stepping up to Group One level for the first time after impressive performances in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Enceladus could prove a serious threat to the Ballydoyle party. Nevertheless, I think O'Brien’s decisive triumph will not come via Christmas Day but through his sturdy stablemate Pierre Bonnard. Bonnard finished ahead of Christmas Day in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, a race that highlighted his stamina and tenacity.
The St. Leger’s extended distance is exactly the test Bonnard has been begging for, and a win would allow him to write his own chapter in O'Brien’s storied legacy.
Technical note: for the best viewing experience, use the Chrome browser to access the video player. Turning to the undercard, Gentle Hurricane is a colt to watch.
After a dominant novice win, he was held back when chasing home Haffner in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York. He now steps up to the Betfred Champagne Stakes (1.45) at Doncaster, a Group Two sprint over seven furlongs that suits his speed. Trainer Andrew Balding will have his horse in familiar territory and could extract a strong performance from the experienced youngster. Desert Castle, who burst onto the scene with a striking debut on the July Course at Newmarket and briefly led the betting for the 2,000 Guineas, is another name on the card.
However, the leap in class to the St. Leger is considerable, and it remains to be seen whether the filly can handle the step up. Willie Muir and Chris Grassick have entered Breacher, a promising three‑year‑old who finished third in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown.
That placing grants him a spot in the mix and suggests he could be a factor in the higher‑grade contest. On Sky Sports Racing today, viewers can expect Enceladus to clash with Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the 250th St. Leger from Doncaster. The festival also includes a range of other storylines: James Doyle’s rebuttal to Seb Sanders over the Flying Childers, George Scott’s Caballo De Mar rebounding in the Doncaster Cup, and Seb Sanders’ dramatic reaction to the Flying Childers finish.
Doncaster tips feature Amelia Earhart as a potential upset contender for the St. Leger, while the Group Two Betfred Park Stakes (2.55) on Saturday offers a chance for More Than Thunder to return to the winners’ enclosure after a near‑miss in the Prix Jacques le Marois.
A seven‑furlong run should suit his speed‑type profile. Qirat, who produced a strong effort to finish second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, is likely to set a solid tempo, with Witness Stand close behind. My husband Tom Marquand’s mount, however, possesses the class to out‑finish both rivals. At longer odds, I would back Kevin Ryan’s Volterra, who is making his first start since being gelded.
It is intriguing that the trainer has dropped him straight into a race of this caliber after a second‑place finish to Docklands at the same track back in March. The Betfred Portland Handicap (2.20) on Saturday presents a tough puzzle, but I see Jack Channon’s GETREADYTORUMBLE as a plausible winner.
The four‑year‑old has handled demanding assignments in both Listed and Group company this season and showed a turn of foot in a five‑furlong sprint at Ascot in July. To claim victory he will need to exceed his career‑high rating, but his class gives him a genuine chance.
I slightly favor GETREADYTORUMBLE over last year’s champion Eternal Sunshine, who will be carrying a modest five‑pound claim from trainer Laura Young. Both horses enjoyed a solid win at Hamilton in their recent prep, while another favourite of mine, Toca Madera, finally deserves a big handicap win after a string of near‑misses at Goodwood and York. Leopardstown’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (5.00) on Saturday promises an exciting showdown, with the first three finishers from last month’s Juddmonte International set to clash again. Item, who turned the tables on Almaqam in that dramatic duel, must prove his versatility on Leopardstown’s tougher surface.
Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River will be looking to silence his critics after a lackluster run on the Knavesmire. I am prepared to forgive the French Derby and Eclipse winner for a disappointing performance earlier in the season; a smoother trip from Ryan Moore could see him unleash his true ability.
Almaqam, who narrowly missed the International win, deserves credit and will aim to demonstrate that his previous effort was no fluke on a track that suits his speed. The quicker the pace, the better for Kieran Shoemark’s likable colt. Finally, I see no reason why Andrew Balding cannot continue his golden summer with Blue Bolt in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (3.55) at Leopardstown.
The unbeaten four‑year‑old has won all four of her starts this year and is eager to add a third top‑level victory, confirming her superiority over Aidan O’Brien’s Precise, who has finished behind her in both the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Rothschild. While Precise and True Love may be well‑drawn, I still expect Blue Bolt to prevail, with last year’s winner Fallen Angel—who beat Juddmonte’s star filly in the Sun Chariot—still a contender on ground that will suit her.