Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle has set her sights on the 250th running of the St. Leger, which will take place at Doncaster on Saturday and be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. She also gives a quick preview of the upcoming meeting at Leopardstown.
The big question is who can stand in the way of Aidan O'Brien as he chases a historic tenth win in the world’s oldest Classic, the Betfred St. Leger Stakes (3.35). O'Brien will have four runners in the race, the most likely of which is the hot favourite Christmas Day. The three‑year‑old colt is aiming to become the first Derby winner to capture the St.
Leger since Reference Point did it 39 years ago. Among the other O'Brien entries, his son Joseph O'Brien appears to have the best chance of upsetting the Ballydoyle dominance with the talented Enceladus. Enceladus is stepping up to Group One level for the first time after impressive performances in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Nevertheless, Hollie believes the true ticket to a tenth triumph lies not with Christmas Day but with the sturdy stablemate Pierre Bonnard.
Pierre Bonnard finished ahead of Christmas Day in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, proving he possesses the stamina required for the longer St. Leger trip. A win would allow O'Brien to write a new chapter in his already glittering record.
For viewers, a Chrome browser is recommended to enjoy a smoother video player experience. In the undercard, Gentle Hurricane, who left his novice win far behind when he chased home Haffner in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York, will contest the Betfred Champagne Stakes (1.45) at Doncaster on Saturday. Trained by Andrew Balding, the colt is well‑suited to the seven‑furlong distance and should be able to translate his Group Two experience into a strong showing in the open renewal.
Desert Castle, the likely favourite of the day, made a big splash on debut at the July Course in Newmarket, soaring to the top of the 2,000 Guineas betting market. However, the step up in class to a Group Two contest raises questions about whether the filly can sustain that level of performance.
Willie Muir and Chris Grassick have entered Breacher, who earned a promising third place in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown. That effort has earned him a place in the mix for the upcoming race. Hollie also highlights Arapaho Gold, who can continue an unbeaten run for Michael Dods in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
Other items on Sky Sports Racing’s agenda for the day include a head‑to‑head between Spy Chief and Catullus at Newbury, plus live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday. The racing roundup notes that Almeraq is set for a return to Ascot on Champions Day, while Deep Havana and Pilu will face off at Yarmouth. Fairy Glen is well‑fancied in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth, and the Eastern Festival at Yarmouth will kick off with exciting novice action.
Turning to the Group Two Betfred Park Stakes (2.55) on Saturday, the race offers a chance for MORE THUNDER to rebound after a disappointing mile campaign. The horse struggled to stay the mile after winning the Prix Jacques le Marois last month, but a strongly run seven‑furlong trip should suit his speed and stamina. Qirat, who was runner‑up in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, is expected to produce a hard‑galloping, end‑to‑end contest, with Witness Stand also in the mix.
Hollie’s husband, Tom Marquand, will be aboard a mount that she believes has the class to out‑finish both rivals. At longer odds, Kevin Ryan’s Volterra is an intriguing outsider. This is his first start since being gelded, and he is being thrown straight into a high‑class handicap after finishing second to Docklands at the same track in March.
The Betfred Portland Handicap (2.20) on Saturday presents a tricky puzzle, but Hollie leans toward Jack Channon’s GETREADYTORUMBLE. The four‑year‑old has performed well in both Listed and Group company this year and showed his ability in a five‑furlong sprint at Ascot in July, beating all but one rival. To win, he will need to overcome a career‑high rating, but his class gives her confidence.
She slightly favours GETREADYTORUMBLE over last year’s winner Eternal Sunshine, who will be carrying five pounds less under the claim of trainer Laura Young. Both horses have recently enjoyed a win at Hamilton, while Toca Madera, another personal favourite, is due for a big handicap victory after a series of near‑misses at Goodwood and York. Leopardstown’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (5.00) on Saturday promises a thrilling showdown, with the first three finishers from last month’s Juddmonte International set to clash again.
Item, who beat Almaqam in that dramatic duel, must prove his ability on the stiffer Leopardstown surface. Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River aims to silence his critics after a lackluster run at Doncaster. Hollie is prepared to forgive the brilliant French‑bred colt that fell short in the Derby and Eclipse, believing that if Ryan Moore can settle him better, he will reveal his true class. Almaqam, who was a whisker away from winning the International, deserves credit and can demonstrate that his near‑miss was no fluke on a track and ground that suit him.
The faster the pace, the better for Kieran Shoemark’s likable colt. Andrew Balding’s Blue Bolt could continue his golden summer in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (3.55) at Leopardstown. Unbeaten in four starts this year, the filly can secure a third Group One victory by confirming her superiority over Aidan O’Brien’s Precise, who has finished behind her in both the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Rothschild.
While O’Brien may try to control the race with Precise and True Love well drawn, Hollie still expects Blue Bolt to prevail. Last year’s winner Fallen Angel, who beat Juddmonte’s star filly in the Sun Chariot, should not be dismissed, as the ground at Leopardstown should suit her as well.