Hollie Doyle, our resident racing ambassador, shares her insights from Town Moor, breaking down the key contests at the Betfred St Leger Festival, including the Doncaster Cup, the Flying Childers, and the Flying Scotsman. First up, the headline event – the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (3.00) at Doncaster – has a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the fan favourite Caballo De Mar. All eyes are on Aidan O'Brien, who is poised to break an 18‑year drought in this marathon after his last win with Honolulu back in 2008, a year after Septimus delivered his solitary triumph in the historic race. Doyle believes that the veteran trainer’s hopes will be realised by his son‑of‑Galileo, Queenstown, who delivered a convincing Group Three victory at The Curragh last month under the masterful ride of Ryan Moore.
Queenstown, now a six‑year‑old gelding, will be looking to avenge his narrow defeat to Caballo De Mar in the previous autumn’s Prix du Cadran. Doyle is confident that the horse’s stamina‑rich pedigree and the soft, testing ground at Doncaster will suit him perfectly, allowing him to reverse the previous result and secure the Group Two title. Turning to the other contender, George Scott’s likely favourite boasts two Group One victories on his résumé, yet recent performances have been puzzling. After lackluster runs in both the Gold Cup and the Lonsdale Cup at York, where he faded quickly, the horse must rediscover his best form to be competitive in a race that truly tests staying power.
While the Doncaster Cup emphasizes endurance, the Group Two Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (2.25) showcases outright speed over five furlongs. Here, Richard Hannon’s Pershaada is the standout sprinter. Doyle notes that her trainer has a strong record at this meeting and has identified a perfect spot for the Middleham Park Racing‑owned daughter of Persian Force to claim her second Group success of the season. Pershaada impressed in the Group Three Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, pulling away from a solid field that included the subsequent Listed winner Sale Shark.
Although she struggled against older, more seasoned sprinters in the Nunthorpe at York, she should dominate her own age group with the adept riding of Sean Levey. Aidan O'Brien’s Carry The Flag may be undervalued, according to Doyle. The colt displayed impressive fractions in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville, losing only two lengths on soft ground.
That performance suggests he possesses the turn of foot and resilience to be a serious threat over the minimum distance of the Flying Childers. Doyle was also struck by the debut triumph of Forgotten Fire in a novice event at Salisbury.
Trained by Andrew Balding, the filly could easily step up to the Listed Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes (1.15) on Friday. Jeff Smith’s home‑bred displayed a winning attitude over six furlongs and, with a pedigree that includes half‑siblings See The Fire and Venetian Prince, as well as being out of the Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen, she has the class to improve when stretched to a longer trip. Godolphin’s Nabati is expected to be a popular pick among punters as he moves up in class. His sole defeat came in a close finish against Arapaho Gold in the Listed Rose Bowl at Newbury, a race later won by Michael Dods’ colt in the Gimcrack.
Doyle believes Nabati’s consistency and experience over similar distances make him a credible threat. Charlie Appleby’s son of Night Of Thunder, entered in the Group One Middle Park, remains a mystery, but Doyle senses that Forbidden Fire could set the turf alight on Town Moor, adding another layer of intrigue to the sprint programme. The British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (3.35) on Friday promises a fiercely contested finish. Doyle’s pick is Ralph Beckett’s Nochebuena, a novice winner over the same course and distance in June who narrowly missed holding on in a strong fillies’ race at Ascot later that month, a race ultimately won by Hoseki.
That performance suggests Nochebuena can handle a modest weight increase and still prevail. A solid alternative is Marco Botti’s Golden Muse, a filly the assistant trainer once guided to victory at Wolverhampton in early spring. Although still early in her turf career, she showed promise over a shorter trip at this venue earlier in the year and could thrive with the added stamina required for the handicap.
The Betfred Leger Legends Classified Stakes (1.50) will see veteran jockeys return to Town Moor, creating a nostalgic buzz. Doyle predicts that recently retired jockey Joe Fanning will be the star attraction, riding Joe Parr’s Wield, a horse that finished strongly over a mile at Southwell. If Wield can repeat that performance on turf, Fanning could secure a memorable eighth win in the event. Sammy Joe Bell, a three‑time winner of this race, is expected to partner the Michael Herrington‑trained Anthropologist, an All‑Weather specialist, for another successful outing.
Since its inception in 2010, the Leger Legends race has captured the public imagination and raised over £1 million for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund, highlighting the sport’s charitable spirit and the dedication of both riders and behind‑the‑scenes staff. Doyle’s commentary was captured in an interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, and the entire Betfred St Leger Festival will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) from Thursday through Sunday, allowing fans to follow every race and hear more of her expert analysis.