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‑grade 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 when she steps up to face the best in a Pattern race. She will contest the headline event at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes, offered at odds of 3.05. This race provides a perfect platform for her to showcase the talent that has already seen her dominate a valuable Goodwood handicap last month.
George Scott, who secured a victory in Friday’s Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, has identified an excellent opportunity for this forward‑looking daughter of Mayson. She proved far superior to her rivals in that Goodwood contest and now has a chance to add a Group‑level win to her résumé.
Her effortless cruising ability suggests she could notch her sixth win from eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen, a filly that has demonstrated solid Group‑One credentials despite an unlucky run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. While Forty Years On appeared slightly uncomfortable in the Valiant Stakes on her last outing, a well‑placed pair of cheekpieces may sharpen her concentration. In contrast, Planet Seeker seems over‑rated based on her York performance and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival.
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 dependable performances for trainer Liam Bailey this season. After a near‑miss at Southwell, he produced an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival, staying on strongly from well off the pace to finish a hard‑fought third over twelve furlongs. A longer trip should suit him well.
Weekend betting tips include backing Almekarem for a handicap win at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also attracting interest. Hollie Doyle herself highlights Arapaho Gold, unbeaten for Michael Dods, as a contender in Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes. The day’s Sky Sports Racing schedule also features a clash between Spy Chief and Catullus at Newbury, with Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton broadcasting live on Friday. In the racing roundup, Almeraq is poised for a return to Ascot on Champions Day, while Deep Havana and Pilu meet at Yarmouth, and Fairy Glen is well‑favoured in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at the same venue.
A promising prospect appears in Godolphin’s Valedictory, who was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York previously. Earlier in the season he displayed genuine class with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket.
Now, carrying a modest mark, he will be eager to prove himself again. For viewers, using Chrome will provide a more 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 showed top form over a longer distance at Chester when a poor draw and an interrupted run compromised his chances. George also enjoys a strong hand in the race, with stablemate Oliver Show bringing solid form. Oliver’s effort behind the eventual winner Inspired at Goodwood bodes well, and the debut of a visor adds an intriguing tactical element.
Langstone is another horse I am watching as he returns 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, then performed well on all‑weather before struggling on the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. He has not raced publicly since, arriving at Town Moor fresher than his rivals and carrying a slightly reduced rating of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a kinder going for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn.
After a busy campaign, she drops into handicap company carrying a workable mark of 94. I am eager to see how Sun Goddess handles a return to Group One company in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2.50) at The Curragh on Sunday, following a dominant performance in a valuable sales race at York last month. Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame traffic problems on the Knavesmire to win impressively by six lengths. The step up to seven furlongs on a firmer surface will be tougher, but her Phoenix Stakes triumph suggests she is up to the challenge.
Green Empress, who travelled well from the start in the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, beating the likes of Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, looks the main threat in that race. Starlust’s effort behind US‑trained Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York indicates 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, fresh from a return to training after an unproductive spell at stud, appears to have rediscovered the form that earned him the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint two years ago. SANDALS’ recent runs have been solid, and her quick finish in the Nunthorpe after encountering mid‑race trouble suggests she could be the horse to beat with Kieran Shoemark in the saddle.
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). His lack of experience may give Giant Sequoia, a first‑string son of Aidan O’Brien who captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes here previously, an edge.
The Frankel‑bred colt still has room for improvement and could make a significant impact at the highest level. Finally, with a flawless seven‑race unbeaten streak, the brilliant Scandinavia is set to 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 could justify his short odds in pursuit of a fifth top‑level victory.
His stable companion Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, looks a genuine danger after a recent Coronation Cup triumph and will relish the added stamina test.