Our ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her insights on the action at Town Moor, offering her perspective on the Doncaster Cup, the Flying Childers and the Flying Scotsman. With a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the marquee attraction Caballo De Mar in the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (3.00) at Doncaster this Friday, Aidan O'Brien appears poised to claim the prize for the first time in eighteen years.
The Ballydoyle legend has not secured a win in this marathon since Honolulu triumphed in 2008, a full twelve months after Septimus delivered his solitary historic victory. Nonetheless, I anticipate that Queenstown will restore the balance under the guidance of Ryan Moore, following the horse’s recent Group Three success at The Curragh last month. The six‑year‑old gelding must now build on that form to avenge a loss to Caballo De Mar in last autumn’s Prix du Cadran, but I am confident that this son of the legendary Galileo can deliver, especially given the race conditions that suit his stamina‑focused profile in this Group Two contest. There is no doubt about the credentials of George Scott’s likely favourite, who already boasts two Group One victories on his résumé.
However, he needs to rebound after two puzzling performances at York last month, where he faded quickly in both the Gold Cup and the Lonsdale Cup. While the Doncaster Cup tests endurance, the Group Two Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (2.25), run over five furlongs, highlights pure speed. Richard Hannon’s Pershaada possesses that speed in abundance. My former trainer has a solid record at this meeting and has identified a prime opportunity for Middleham Park Racing’s daughter of Persian Force to claim her second Group win of the season.
Pershaada dazzled in the Group Three Molecomb Stakes at the Goodwood Festival, pulling away from a quality field that included the later‑listed winner and market rival Sale Shark. She fell short against older, battle‑hardened sprinters in the Nunthorpe at York, but she remains the benchmark for her own generation, especially with the talented Sean Levey aboard. I also feel that Aidan O'Brien’s Carry The Flag is slightly undervalued after posting strong fractions in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville.
He was beaten by only two lengths on soft ground and should prove a handful over the minimum distance on the Doncaster turf. Forgotten Fire made a striking debut win in a Salisbury novice race, and I would not be surprised to see the Andrew Balding‑trained filly step up in class with confidence in the Listed Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes (1.15) on Friday. Jeff Smith’s home‑bred displayed a champion‑like attitude when she hammered her rivals over six furlongs, and she possesses the pedigree to improve over a longer trip. She is a half‑sister to Group winners See The Fire and Venetian Prince and out of the Juddmonte International champion Arabian Queen, making her breeding impeccable.
Godolphin’s Nabati is likely to attract punters as he moves up in grade. His only defeat was a narrow loss when he challenged Arapaho Gold in the Listed Rose Bowl at Newbury, just before Michael Dods’ colt captured the Gimcrack. Charlie Appleby’s son of Night Of Thunder could be anything at this stage, as his entry in the Group One Middle Park suggests, but I suspect Forbidden Fire will ignite the Town Moor turf. The British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (3.35) on Friday promises fierce competition, yet my standout is Ralph Beckett’s Nochebuena.
She captured a novice win over the same course and distance in June and then narrowly missed holding on in a strong fillies’ race at Ascot the following month, a race ultimately won by Hoseki. That encouraging handicap debut suggests a modest four‑pound rise in the rankings may not be enough to stop her from taking the prize.
A viable alternative is Marco Botti’s Golden Muse – a filly I backed at Wolverhampton early in the spring. Though still early in her turf career, she displayed promise over a shorter trip at this venue earlier in the year.
Veteran jockeys of yesteryear will be thrilled to line up for the Betfred Leger Legends Classified Stakes (1.50) at Doncaster on Friday. The excitement of returning to the track will be palpable, and I have a strong feeling that recently retired Joe Fanning will become the talk of Town Moor. Joe, who concluded an illustrious riding career this summer, will partner Joe Parr’s Wield, a horse that finished strongly over a mile at Southwell on its last outing.
If he can replicate that finish on turf, he could be on the board at his eighth attempt. Sammy Joe Bell, a three‑time winner of this race, is expected to perform well again, especially when paired with another All‑Weather specialist, the Michael Herrington‑trained Anthropologist. Since its inception in 2010, this race has captured the public’s imagination and has raised more than £1 million for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund. The achievement reflects the dedication of everyone involved, from the jockeys who graciously take part to the countless staff working behind the scenes.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft. All races from the Betfred St Leger Festival can be watched live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) from Thursday through Sunday.