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 clashes of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. I have never hidden my admiration for Forty Years On, a filly capable of making an immediate impact when she steps up to face seasoned Pattern company in the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3.05). Trainer George Scott, fresh from his triumph in Friday's Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, has identified a perfect slot for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. She was overwhelmingly superior to her rivals in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, and her class suggests she can dominate again.
Forty Years On travels light under the saddle and could notch her sixth win in eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen, a proven Group One performer who is coming off an unlucky run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. While Touleen brings top‑level credentials, Forty Years On’s recent form indicates she may be the better bet. She appeared a little uneasy in the Valiant Stakes on her last outing, so a pair of cheekpieces might sharpen her concentration.
By contrast, Planet Seeker looks over‑priced, relying heavily on a solid 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, who has enjoyed a string of dependable performances for trainer Liam Bailey this season.
After a near‑miss at Southwell, Bailey produced a striking run at York’s Ebor Festival, where the horse rallied from well off the pace to finish a close third over twelve furlongs. The longer trip at Doncaster should suit the horse’s stamina.
Racing round‑up: Almeraq is slated for a return to Ascot on Champions Day. Today on Sky Sports Racing: Deep Havana and Pilu clash at Yarmouth, while Fairy Glen is among the favorites in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at the same venue. The Eastern Festival at Yarmouth kicks off with exciting novice action, and Saffie Osborne comments that many more jockeys, like Leger winner, simply need an opportunity, according to Kevin Blake. Windsor’s flat‑season finale headlines Monday’s card.
A promising contender may emerge in Godolphin’s Valedictory, who was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York previously but showed genuine class earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket. He now has something to prove after a modest showing in his last race. Please use a Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience. I am also keeping an eye 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 not pose a problem for the Night Of Thunder gelding, who demonstrated top form over a longer distance at Chester despite a poor draw and a disrupted run that hampered his chances. George has a strong hand in the race, with stablemate Oliver Show also bringing solid form. Oliver’s effort behind the eventual winner Inspired at Goodwood reads well, and the first‑time visor adds an interesting tactical element. I am eager to see LANGSTONE return to a more forgiving surface in the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap (2.30) on Sunday.
Trained by Clive Cox, the three‑year‑old broke his maiden over the course and distance in the spring and followed up on the all‑weather surface, though he did not relish the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Having been absent from public view for a spell, he arrives at Town Moor fresher than his rivals and is being offered a slightly reduced mark of 92, which should suit him well. Zooming should also benefit from a more sympathetic ground for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn. She has been heavily campaigned this year and is now dropping into handicap company with a workable mark of 94, offering good value.
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 traffic trouble on the Knavesmire, but her class shone through as she won by six lengths. The Curragh test will be tougher – she faces seven furlongs for the first time on a firmer surface – yet I am confident the Phoenix Stakes winner can handle the step up. Green Empress, who travelled well from the start in the Group Two Debutante Stakes over the course and distance last month, beating Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, appears to be the main threat in her upcoming race.
Starlust’s effort behind US‑based 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 an unproductive spell at stud and 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 favor, she could become the one to beat with Kieran Shoemark aboard. Juddmonte colt Monogram displayed class when winning over the course and distance for Joseph O’Brien and could comfortably step up to Group One competition in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4.00).
However, his lack of experience may give an edge to GIANT SEQUOIA, a son of the great Frankel who finished strongly in the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last year and remains a colt of immense potential. Based on that performance, the Frankel offspring 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 one mile and six furlongs, a distance that should suit him on a stiff track, and he could 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 not shy away from this longer stamina test. Overall, the Doncaster card offers a rich tapestry of storylines, from seasoned Group performers to emerging talents looking to prove themselves.
Whether you are backing a proven Group‑class filly like Forty Years On or taking a chance on a lightly raced outsider such as ASUKA, the day promises excitement, tactical intrigue, and the chance for several horses to cement their status on the British racing calendar.