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 high‑calibre action of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. I have never hidden my admiration for Forty Years On, a filly capable of making an immediate impression in top‑class company when she lines up for the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3:05).
Her blend of speed and stamina makes her a genuine threat, and I expect her to be a decisive factor in the outcome of the contest. Trainer George Scott, who secured Friday’s Doncaster Cup with Caballo De Mar, has identified an excellent opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. After a dominant performance in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, where she was far superior to her rivals, she arrives at Doncaster looking fresh and eager.
Her ability to settle comfortably under pressure should enable her to notch her sixth win from eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen, a proven Group One performer who is looking to rebound after an unlucky run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. While Forty Years On appeared slightly awkward in the Valiant Stakes on her last outing, a well‑placed pair of cheekpieces could sharpen her focus and restore her trademark cruising speed.
By contrast, Planet Seeker seems over‑rated based on her York form and a respectable fourth in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival; the market may be giving her more credit than her recent performances justify. Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3:40) on Sunday, there is little to criticize about SAY WHAT YOU SEE, who has delivered a string of rock‑solid performances for trainer Liam Bailey this year. Bailey built on a near‑miss at Southwell with an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival, where the horse rallied from well back to finish a strong third over twelve furlongs. That experience should serve him well over the longer distance on the Doncaster track.
In other news, Hollie Doyle highlights Arapaho Gold, who remains unbeaten for Michael Dods and will contest Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes. The day’s Sky Sports Racing schedule also includes a clash between Spy Chief and Catullus at Newbury, with Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton featured live on Friday. The racing round‑up notes Almeraq’s planned return to Ascot for Champions Day, while Deep Havana and Pilu will meet at Yarmouth, and Fairy Glen is well‑fancied in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at the same venue.
Yarmouth’s Eastern Festival kicks off with exciting novice action, and there is a tempting prospect in Godolphin’s Valedictory, who was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York on his last start after earlier season triumphs at Goodwood and Newmarket. He will be looking to prove his ability off the current mark. For viewers, using a Chrome browser will provide a more accessible video player experience. 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 demonstrated top form over a longer distance at Chester despite a poor draw and an interrupted run that hampered his chances. George has a strong hand in that race, with stablemate Oliver Show also bringing solid form. Oliver’s effort behind the eventual Goodwood winner Inspired reads well, and the first‑time use of a visor adds an intriguing tactical element.
I look forward to seeing 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 course and distance in the spring and followed up on the all‑weather surface, though he struggled on the fast ground at the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
Having been off the track since then, he arrives at Town Moor fresher than his rivals and is well‑treated off a slightly reduced mark of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a kinder going for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn.
After a heavily campaign this year, she drops into handicap company off a workable mark of 94, offering a fresh opportunity to showcase her ability. I can’t wait to see 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, yet her class shone through with a six‑length victory. The upcoming race will be tougher, as she tackles seven furlongs for the first time on a firmer track, but I am confident the Phoenix Stakes winner can handle the challenge.
Green Empress, who travelled well from the start in the Group Two Debutante Stakes over course and distance last month, beat the likes of Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, and now looks the primary threat in her next start. The way Starlust finished behind US‑based Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York suggests he can contest another major race in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3:25) at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old returned from a spell at stud and appears 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 runs, and I liked the way she surged home in the Nunthorpe after encountering repeated trouble mid‑race. If the conditions suit her, 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 step up to Group One company in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4:00). However, his lack of experience may give an edge to GIANT SEQUOIA, Aidan O’Brien’s first‑string colt who captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last time and possesses immense potential as a son of the great Frankel. 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 mouth‑watering 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 dropping back to one mile and six furlongs, a distance that should suit him on a stiff track, 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, poses a clear danger. Jan Brueghel looked as good as ever when winning this season’s Coronation Cup and will relish the greater stamina test presented by the Irish St Leger.