Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle sets the stage for the concluding day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing while the Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh delivers top‑class action. In her preview, Doyle openly expresses her admiration for the talented filly Forty Years On, a horse capable of making an immediate impression in high‑level competition when she lines up for the headline race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes, scheduled for 3:05 p.m. George Scott, who secured victory in Friday’s Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, sees a prime opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of trainer Mayson.
Forty Years On proved to be far superior to her rivals in a valuable handicap at Goodwood last month, and Scott believes she can translate that dominance onto the Doncaster track. The filly is comfortable underfoot and, if everything goes to plan, could notch her sixth win in eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen.
Touleen arrives with solid Group One credentials, having shown her class in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, though that effort ended in disappointment. In her most recent outing in the Valiant Stakes, Forty Years On appeared a little awkward, prompting Doyle to suggest that a pair of cheekpieces might sharpen her focus. By contrast, Planet Seeker seems over‑rated based solely on her York performance and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival.
Doyle also highlights the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3:40) on Sunday, noting that trainer Liam Bailey has delivered a string of consistently strong performances this season. Bailey’s horse built on a near‑miss at Southwell with an impressive run at York’s Ebor Festival, where he rallied from well off the pace to finish a close third over twelve furlongs, suggesting he will appreciate the longer distance on offer. The St Leger itself provided a historic moment as Saffie Osborne became the first woman to win a British Classic, riding Highwayman to victory at Doncaster. Doyle references this milestone and the excitement surrounding the day's card, including the clash between Touleen and Forty Years On.
She also mentions Desert Castle, who is priced at 6/1 for the 2000 Guineas after a strong showing in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, and the 250th St Leger featuring Enceladus against Christmas Day and Pienne Bonnard. Turning to the Godolphin stable, Doyle sees promise in Valedictory, a horse who ran a touch out of pace over two miles at York but had demonstrated genuine ability earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket. Valedictory will be looking to prove himself beyond his current rating.
For the Betfred "The Classic Bookmaker" Handicap (1:55) on Sunday’s Doncaster card, Doyle expresses enthusiasm for George Boughey’s lightly raced Asuka. Dropping back to six furlongs on a spacious galloping track should suit the Night Of Thunder gelding, who previously confirmed his form over a longer distance at Chester despite a poor draw and an interrupted run. George also has a strong hand in the race with stablemate Oliver Show, who brings recent good form after finishing behind the eventual winner Inspired at Goodwood.
Oliver Show’s first‑time visor adds an intriguing tactical element. Doyle looks forward to seeing Langstone return to a more forgiving surface in the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap (2:30) on Sunday. Trained by Clive Cox, the three‑year‑old broke his maiden over the course and distance in the spring and followed up on the all‑weather surface, though he did not relish the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Having been off the track for a spell, Langstone arrives fresher than his rivals and is well‑treated, carrying a slightly reduced rating of 92.
Similarly, Zooming should benefit from a kinder going for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn. After a busy campaign, she drops into handicap company with a workable rating of 94, offering a chance to showcase her ability. The Curragh will host the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2:50) on Sunday, where Doyle is eager to see Sun Goddess return to Group One level after a dominant performance in a valuable sales race at York last month.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame traffic issues on the Knavesmire, ultimately winning by an impressive six lengths. The upcoming seven‑furlong test on a firmer track will be tougher, but the Phoenix Stakes winner appears up to the challenge. In the Group 2 Debutante Stakes last month, Green Empress displayed a strong turn of foot, beating Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly, and Dancing Destiny, marking her as a primary threat in the upcoming race. Starlust’s finish behind US‑trained Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York suggests he can handle another demanding contest in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3:25) at The Curragh.
Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, returning from an unproductive spell at stud, appears to have recaptured the form that earned him the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint two years prior. SANDALS has shown solid form in her last two outings, and her swift finish in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race makes her a strong contender, especially with Kieran Shoemark aboard. Juddmonte colt Monogram, who displayed class when winning over course and distance for Joseph O’Brien, could step up to Group One competition in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4:00).
However, his lack of experience may give an edge to Giant Sequoia, a son of the legendary Frankel who captured the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the same venue last year and remains a colt of immense potential. With an unbeaten streak of seven races, Scandinavia is poised to enhance his reputation in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger (4:35) on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup winner is stepping back to a mile and six furlongs, a distance that should suit him on a stiff track, and he could justify his short odds in pursuit of a fifth top‑level victory. His stable companion Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, poses an obvious threat after securing this season’s Coronation Cup, and will relish the added stamina test.
Overall, the final day of the St Leger Festival promises a blend of historic milestones, thrilling match‑ups, and opportunities for both seasoned champions and emerging talent to make their mark on the British racing calendar.