Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, is gearing up for the concluding day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing alongside the premier races of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. Doyle openly expresses her admiration for the talented filly Forty Years On, a horse capable of making an immediate impact when she steps into the spotlight in a Pattern race. This Sunday, Forty Years On will contest the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes at Doncaster, scheduled for a 3:05 start. Trainer George Scott, fresh from his triumph in Friday’s Doncaster Cup with Caballo De Mar, sees a prime opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson.
Forty Years On previously proved far superior to her rivals in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, demonstrating a turn of foot and composure that set her apart. With a reputation for handling the ground effortlessly, she is poised to secure her sixth win from eight starts, potentially edging out Shadwell’s Touleen, a proven Group One performer who is looking to rebound after an unlucky run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Although Forty Years On appeared a little awkward in her recent Valiant Stakes outing, a pair of cheekpieces could sharpen her focus and restore her usual fluency. In contrast, Planet Seeker seems over‑rated based on her York form and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival; her odds may not reflect the true level of competition she will face.
Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap at 3:40 on Sunday, there is little to criticize about SAY WHAT YOU SEE, who has enjoyed a series of rock‑solid performances for trainer Liam Bailey this season. After a near‑miss at Southwell, the horse produced an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival, closing strongly from well off the pace to finish third over twelve furlongs. That finishing kick suggests the longer distance on the Doncaster track could suit him well.
In the broader racing roundup, Almeraq is slated for a return to Ascot on Champions Day, while at Yarmouth today Deep Havana and Pilu will meet, Fairy Glen is well‑fancied in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes, and the Eastern Festival at Yarmouth kicks off with promising novice action. Saffie Osborne remarks that many jockeys, like Leger winner Kevin Blake, simply need a chance to showcase their talent. Godolphin’s Valedictory may provide a nice race; he was a bit 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 will be eager to prove his worth from his current rating.
The Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap at 1:55 on Sunday’s Doncaster card features George Boughey’s lightly raced ASUKA. Dropping back to six furlongs on a large galloping course should suit the Night Of Thunder gelding, who proved his quality over a longer distance at Chester when a poor draw and a disrupted run hampered his chances. George also has a strong hand with stablemate Oliver Show, who brings solid form after a commendable effort behind winner Inspired at Goodwood; the first‑time visor adds an intriguing tactical element.
Langstone’s return to a more forgiving surface in the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap at 2:30 is another race to watch. 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 didn’t relish the fast ground at the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Having been absent from public view since, he arrives fresher than his rivals and is well‑treated, carrying a slightly reduced mark of 92.
Zooming, a filly who will also benefit from a kinder going, is set to contest a handicap for the first time since her maiden win at Newmarket last autumn. After a heavily campaigned season, she drops into handicap company with a workable rating of 94, offering a fresh chance to showcase her ability. Sun Goddess, the Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, is poised to test herself back at Group One level at The Curragh over seven furlongs.
After a dominant six‑length victory in a valuable sales race at York, she overcame a troubled trip on the Knavesmire, proving her class. The step up to a stiffer track will be challenging, but her Phoenix Stakes triumph suggests she can handle the pressure.
In the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, Green Empress displayed a strong turn of foot, beating Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, establishing herself as a leading contender for upcoming races. Starlust’s performance in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, where he finished behind US‑based Bacio, indicates he can handle another demanding sprint in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, returning from an unproductive spell at stud, appears to have rediscovered the form that earned him the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint two years ago.
Sandals has shown solid form in her last two outings, flashing home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race. If circumstances align, she could become the race’s primary challenger under jockey Kieran Shoemark.
Juddmonte colt Monogram, a class act who won over the course and distance for Joseph O’Brien, looks ready to step up to Group One company in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at 4:00. However, his lack of experience may give an edge to Giant Sequoia, Aidan O’Brien’s promising first‑string colt who captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes here previously. The son of the legendary Frankel still shows room for improvement and could make a significant impact at the highest level.
Scandinavia, unbeaten in seven races, is set to enhance his reputation in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at 4:35 on Sunday. Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup winner is dropping back to a mile and six furlongs, a distance that should suit him on the stiff Curragh track, and he could comfortably secure his fifth top‑level victory. His stablemate Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, poses a serious threat, having claimed this season’s Coronation Cup and likely relishing the stamina test. Overall, the final day of the St Leger Festival promises a blend of established stars and emerging talent across a variety of distances and surfaces.
With Hollie Doyle’s insightful commentary and a lineup featuring standout horses such as Forty Years On, Sun Goddess, and Scandinavia, racing enthusiasts can anticipate a thrilling conclusion to the festival.