Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle is gearing up for the closing day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing alongside the premier contests of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. In her preview, Doyle openly expresses her admiration for the filly Forty Years On, a horse that consistently makes a strong impression when stepping up to compete at the highest level. She believes the mare will be a major factor in the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes, which carries a price of 3.05. George Scott, fresh from his victory in Friday’s Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, has identified a perfect spot for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson.
Forty Years On proved she was far superior to her rivals in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, and Scott sees an opportunity to capitalize on that form. The filly settles comfortably under pressure 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 previously shown top‑class ability before a disappointing run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
In her most recent outing in the Valiant Stakes, Forty Years On appeared a little unbalanced, prompting Doyle to suggest that a pair of cheekpieces might help sharpen her focus. By contrast, Planet Seeker looks slightly over‑valued based solely on her York performance and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival.
Doyle feels the betting market may be giving Planet Seeker more credit than she deserves. Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3.40) on Sunday, Doyle highlights the reliability of trainer Liam Bailey, whose runners have delivered a string of rock‑solid performances this year.
Bailey built 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. That experience should serve him well over the longer distance offered in the Mallard. Doyle also notes the growing talent of jockey Saffie Osborne, who recently made history as the first woman to win a British Classic when she rode Highwayman to victory in the St Leger at Doncaster. Kevin Blake, a commentator, praised Osborne for her determination and suggested that many more riders of her calibre are waiting for a chance to shine.
The day’s program includes a showdown between Touleen and Forty Years On at Doncaster, a race that promises to be a tactical battle between proven Group One form and a rising star eager to cement her reputation. Doyle anticipates a thrilling contest, especially given the contrasting running styles of the two fillies. In addition to the main feature, there are several other intriguing stories on the card.
Godolphin’s Valedictory, who showed a hint of one‑paced stamina over two miles at York, may find the softer ground at Doncaster more to his liking. Earlier in the season he demonstrated his class with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket, and now he will be looking to prove that he can still compete at the top level. Doyle also recommends keeping an eye on ASUKA, lightly raced and entered by trainer George Boughey in the Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap (1.55). Dropping back to six furlongs on a large, galloping track should suit the Night Of Thunder gelding, who proved his speed at Chester when a poor draw and a disrupted run hampered his chances.
Stablemate Oliver Show adds further depth to the field. After a solid run behind the eventual Goodwood winner Inspired, Oliver Show’s recent performance suggests he could be a strong contender, especially with a fresh visor adding a new tactical dimension.
Langstone, trained by Clive Cox, is another horse to watch in the Betfred City of Doncaster Handicap (2.30). The three‑year‑old broke his maiden over the course and distance in the spring and followed up on an all‑weather surface, though he struggled on the fast ground at the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Having missed public appearances since then, Langstone arrives on the Town Moor fresher than his rivals and is well‑treated, now carrying a slightly reduced mark of 92.
Zooming, a filly who last won her maiden at Newmarket in the autumn, should also benefit from the more forgiving ground. After a heavily campaigned season, she is stepping down into handicap company for the first time with a workable mark of 94, offering a chance for a resurgence. The Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes (2.50) at The Curragh will feature SUN GODDESS, fresh off an impressive six‑length victory in a valuable sales race at York. Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame traffic problems at Doncaster but still displayed her class.
This time she faces a stiffer surface and a seven‑furlong distance for the first time, yet Doyle remains confident that the Phoenix Stakes winner can handle the challenge. In the Group Two Debutante Stakes, Green Empress showed strong cruising ability, beating the likes of Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly, and Dancing Destiny.
She emerges as a primary threat in the upcoming race. Starlust’s performance in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, where he finished just behind US‑based Bacio, suggests he can handle another demanding sprint in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3.25) at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, returning from a spell at stud, appears to have rediscovered the form that earned him the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint two years ago.
Sandals has delivered solid runs in her last two outings, flashing home in the Nunthorpe after navigating mid‑race trouble. With Kieran Shoemark aboard, she could become the horse to beat if circumstances fall her way.
Juddmonte colt Monogram, who displayed class when winning over course and distance for Joseph O’Brien, looks ready to step up to Group One competition 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 captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes here previously and possesses immense potential as a son of the legendary Frankel. Finally, Scandinavia, a seven‑race unbeaten Gold Cup winner for Aidan O’Brien, is set to test his stamina over one mile and six furlongs in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger (4.35) on Sunday. His stable companion Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, poses a serious threat after a recent Coronation Cup triumph.
Both horses are expected to deliver a high‑class performance on the stiff Irish track, and Doyle anticipates a thrilling finish. Overall, the final day of the St Leger Festival promises a blend of established champions, emerging talent, and strategic jockey‑trainer partnerships.
Hollie Doyle’s insights highlight the depth of the field and provide a roadmap for viewers looking to follow the action on Sky Sports Racing, while also underscoring the excitement that awaits at The Curragh’s Champions’ Weekend.