Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers a preview of the concluding day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing alongside the premium fixtures of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. I have never hidden my admiration for Forty Years On, a filly capable of making an immediate impression when she steps up into Pattern company for the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3:05).
George Scott, who rode Caballo De Mar to victory in Friday’s Doncaster Cup, has identified a perfect opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. She was far superior to her rivals in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, and she now looks set to translate that dominance onto a higher stage. Forty Years On enjoys a smooth, effortless stride and could notch her sixth win from eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen, a mare that brings genuine Group One credentials after a disappointing run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
While Touleen possesses top‑class form, Forty Years On’s class may prove decisive. The filly appeared a little uneasy in the Valiant Stakes on her last outing, so the addition of cheekpieces may sharpen her focus. By contrast, Planet Seeker seems over‑rated based on a solid York performance and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival; her odds may not reflect the true level of competition she will face.
Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3:40) on Sunday, there is little to criticize about SAY WHAT YOU SEE. Trainer Liam Bailey has enjoyed a string of rock‑solid performances this year, building on a near‑miss at Southwell with an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival, where he closed from well off the pace to finish a strong third over twelve furlongs. The longer distance of the Mallard should suit his style. Today's Sky Sports Racing schedule also includes Windsor’s flat‑season finale, which headlines Monday’s action, and a historic moment as Saffie Osborne becomes the first woman to win a British Classic after Highwayman’s triumph in the St Leger at Doncaster.
The Leger Festival will also feature Desert Castle at 6/1 for the 2000 Guineas after a Champagne Stakes success at Doncaster, and there may be a promising race for Godolphin’s Valedictory, who looked a touch one‑paced over two miles at York but had shown real class earlier in the season with back‑to‑back wins at Goodwood and Newmarket. He now has a chance to prove his worth beyond his current rating.
For viewers, using Chrome will provide a more accessible video player. I am also keen on George Boughey’s lightly‑raced ASUKA in the Betfred "The Classic Bookmaker" Handicap (1:55) on the Doncaster card.
Dropping back to six furlongs on a large galloping track should not pose a problem for the Night Of Thunder gelding, who displayed top form over a longer distance at Chester when a poor draw and a disrupted run ruined his chances. George has a strong hand in that race, with stablemate Oliver Show also offering solid form. Oliver’s run behind the eventual winner Inspired at Goodwood reads well, and the first‑time visor adds an interesting tactical element. I look forward to seeing LANGSTONE return to a more forgiving surface in the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap (2:30) on Sunday.
Clive Cox’s three‑year‑old broke his maiden over the course and distance in the spring before succeeding on the all‑weather, but he did not relish the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Having been absent from public view since, he arrives on Town Moor fresher than his rivals and carries a slightly reduced rating of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a kinder going, making his first start since winning a maiden at Newmarket last autumn.
He has been heavily campaigned this year and drops into handicap company for the first time off a workable mark of 94. I am eager to watch SUN GODDESS return to Group One level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2:50) at The Curragh on Sunday after a dominant performance in a valuable sales race at York last month. Aidan O’Brien’s filly encountered traffic on the Knavesmire, but her class shone through as she won by six lengths.
The upcoming race will be tougher, as she steps up to seven furlongs on a firmer surface, yet the Phoenix Stakes winner appears fully capable of handling the challenge. Green Empress travelled well from the start in the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, beating Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, and now looks the principal threat in her next start.
Starlust’s effort 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 returned from a spell at stud and seems to have recaptured the form that earned him the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint two years ago. TIME FOR SANDALS has shown solid form in her last two outings, and her flash home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race indicates she could be the one to beat with Kieran Shoemark aboard. Juddmonte colt Monogram displayed class when winning over course and distance for Joseph O’Brien and could step up to Group One company in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4:00).
His lack of experience, however, may give an edge to GIANT SEQUOIA, Aidan O’Brien’s first‑string colt who won the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last time and possesses immense potential as a son of the great Frankel. With a seven‑race unbeaten streak, I am excited to see the brilliant SCANDINAVIA 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 can justify his short odds in pursuit of a fifth top‑level victory. His stable companion Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, poses a clear danger. Jan Brueghel looked as good as ever when winning this season’s Coronation Cup and will relish the added test of stamina presented by the Irish St Leger.