Sky Sports Racing’s 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 top‑class contests that make up Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. I have never hidden my enthusiasm for Forty Years On, a filly who can instantly make her presence felt when she steps into a Pattern race. This Sunday she will contest the headline event at Doncaster – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3.05).
Trainer George Scott, fresh from his Friday triumph in the Doncaster Cup with Caballo De Mar, has identified a perfect spot for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. She was simply too good for the rivals she faced in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, and now the step up looks tailor‑made. Forty Years On handles the ground with ease and, if everything goes to plan, could notch her sixth win from eight starts.
The most likely challenger is Shadwell’s Touleen, a filly that has shown genuine Group One ability but was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Touleen appeared a little awkward in the Valiant Stakes on her last outing, so a pair of cheekpieces may help sharpen her focus.
By contrast, Planet Seeker seems overrated based on a decent York performance and a respectable fourth in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood. Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3.40) on Sunday, there is little to criticize about SAY WHAT YOU SEE. Trainer Liam Bailey has delivered a string of solid performances this year, building on a near‑miss at Southwell and an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival where the horse surged from far back to finish a close third over twelve furlongs.
The longer distance should suit him well. Racing round‑up: Almeraq is set for an Ascot return on Champions Day. Today on Sky Sports Racing: Deep Havana and Pilu clash at Yarmouth; Fairy Glen is well‑fancied in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth; the Eastern Festival at Yarmouth kicks off with exciting novice action; Saffie Osborne comments that many more jockeys, like Leger winner, just need a chance, says Kevin Blake; Windsor’s flat season finale headlines Monday’s programme. There is also a promising prospect in Godolphin’s Valedictory, who was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York last time but displayed genuine class earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket.
He now has something to prove after a modest recent rating. Please use Chrome for the most accessible video player. I am also keen on George Boughey’s lightly raced ASUKA in the Betfred "The Classic Bookmaker" Handicap (1.55) on Sunday’s Doncaster card. Dropping back to six furlongs on a large galloping track should suit the Night Of Thunder gelding, who proved his top‑form over a longer trip at Chester when a poor draw and a disrupted run cost him a win.
George holds a strong position in that race, with stablemate Oliver Show also bringing solid form. Oliver’s effort behind the eventual Goodwood winner Inspired bodes well, and the first‑time visor adds an interesting tactical element. I am looking forward to seeing LANGSTONE tackle 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, then followed up on the all‑weather track but didn’t relish the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
He has been off the public eye since, arriving at Town Moor fresher than his rivals and well‑treated, now carrying a slightly reduced rating of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a kinder going for the first time since her maiden win at Newmarket last autumn. She has been heavily campaigned this year and now drops into handicap company with a workable mark of 94, offering a solid chance if the ground holds up.
I can’t wait to watch SUN GODDESS step back up to Group One level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2.50) at The Curragh on Sunday after her dominant performance in a valuable sales race at York last month. Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame trouble on the Knavesmire but showed her class by winning by six lengths.
The Curragh test will be tougher – seven furlongs on a firmer surface – yet the Phoenix Stakes winner appears fully capable of handling the step up. 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 main threat in her upcoming race. Starlust’s strong finish behind US‑based Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York tells me he can contest another high‑profile sprint in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3.25) at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who returned from an unproductive spell at stud, seems to have rediscovered 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 I liked the way she surged home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race. If the race unfolds in her favour, she could become the horse to beat with Kieran Shoemark aboard. Juddmonte colt Monogram displayed class when winning over course and distance for Joseph O’Brien and could comfortably step up to Group One company in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4.00).
His lack of experience, however, might give GIANT SEQUOIA an edge. Aidan O’Brien’s first‑string colt won the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last year and is clearly a horse of immense potential. Based on that performance, the son of the great Frankel still has room for improvement and could make a significant impact at the highest level, earning my vote for a thrilling renewal. With a seven‑race unbeaten streak, I am eager 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 the stiff Curragh surface, 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, presents the obvious danger. Jan Brueghel looked as good as ever when taking this season’s Coronation Cup and should relish the added test of stamina.