Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, is gearing up for the climax of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing alongside the premier contests of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. In her preview, Doyle makes no secret of her admiration for the filly Forty Years On, a horse that has the ability to make an immediate impression when stepping up to compete at the highest level. This Sunday, Forty Years On will contest the headline race at Doncaster – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes, scheduled for 3:05 pm.
George Scott, fresh from his victory in Friday’s Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, sees a perfect opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. Forty Years On was simply too good for her rivals in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, and her connections believe she can translate that dominance onto the flat at Doncaster. The filly handles the ground with apparent ease and is poised 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 a little unsteady in her recent Valiant Stakes outing, Doyle suggests that a simple equipment change – the addition of cheekpieces – could sharpen her focus and restore her usual fluency. In contrast, Planet Seeker, another contender, seems over‑rated based on her York form and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival; Doyle feels her odds may be generous. Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap at 3:40 pm on Sunday, Doyle praises the reliability of trainer Liam Bailey, whose horses have delivered a string of solid performances this year. After a near‑miss at Southwell, Bailey’s runner impressed at York’s Ebor Festival, finishing a strong third over twelve furlongs after a long‑run finish.
The extra distance of the Mallard should suit the horse well. In the weekend’s betting highlights, Almekarem is tipped for a handicap win at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also fancied. Doyle also notes that Arapaho Gold, trained by Michael Dods, remains unbeaten and is a strong candidate in Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes. Sky Sports Racing’s schedule continues with a series of exciting match‑ups: Spy Chief versus Catullus at Newbury, plus live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday.
The racing roundup includes Almeraq’s return to Ascot for Champions Day, while at Yarmouth, Deep Havana meets Pilu, and Fairy Glen is well‑supported in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes. Another intriguing story involves Godolphin’s Valedictory, who struggled to find a rhythm over two miles at York previously but had demonstrated genuine class earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket.
The horse now has a chance to prove himself off his current rating. Doyle also highlights George Boughey’s lightly raced Asuka in the Betfred "The Classic Bookmaker" Handicap at 1:55 pm on Sunday’s Doncaster card. Dropping back to six furlongs on a large galloping track should suit Asuka, especially after a strong showing at Chester where a poor draw and a disrupted run had previously hampered his chances.
George also has a strong hand in the race with stablemate Oliver Show, who brings solid form after finishing behind the eventual winner Inspired at Goodwood. The addition of a first‑time visor could add an interesting tactical element.
Langstone is another horse to watch as she returns to a more forgiving surface in the Betfred City of Doncaster Handicap at 2:30 pm. Trained by Clive Cox, the three‑year‑old broke her maiden over the course and distance in the spring, followed by a respectable all‑weather win, though she disliked the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. After a spell away from the public eye, Langstone arrives at Town Moor fresher than her rivals and is well‑treated despite a slightly reduced rating of 92.
Zooming, a filly who won her maiden at Newmarket last autumn, should also benefit from a more suitable surface. She has been heavily campaigned this year and is now dropping into handicap company for the first time, carrying a workable mark of 94.
One of the marquee events on Sunday is the Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh (2:50 pm), where Sun Goddess will test herself at Group One level after a dominant performance in a valuable sales race at York last month. Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame traffic trouble at Doncaster but still produced a six‑length victory, showcasing her class. The Curragh test will be tougher, as she steps up to seven furlongs on a firmer track, but Doyle is confident the Phoenix Stakes winner can handle the challenge.
Green Empress, who travelled well and won the Group Two Debutante Stakes over the course and distance last month, beating rivals such as Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, is another key contender and appears to be the main danger in her division. Starlust, who finished a close second to US‑trained Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, is expected to thrive in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3:25 pm) at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, returning from a spell at stud, has rediscovered the form that earned him the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint two years ago.
SANDALS, whose recent runs have been solid, impressed with a fast finish in the Nunthorpe after encountering trouble mid‑race. If the race unfolds in her favor, she could become the one to beat with jockey Kieran Shoemark aboard. Juddmonte colt Monogram displayed class when winning over the 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 pm).
However, his lack of experience may give an edge to Giant Sequoia, a promising colt from Aidan O’Brien’s first string that captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the same venue last year. The son of the great Frankel, Giant Sequoia, still shows room for improvement and could make a significant impact at the highest level, earning Doyle’s vote for a thrilling renewal.
Finally, the unbeaten Scandinavia, with a seven‑race winning streak, is set to enhance his reputation in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger (4:35 pm) 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 the stiff Curragh track, and he is favored to claim a fifth top‑level victory. His stable companion Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, looks a genuine threat after winning this season’s Coronation Cup, and will test Scandinavia’s stamina. Overall, the weekend promises a blend of seasoned champions, rising stars, and tactical battles across both flat and handicap races, offering plenty of excitement for racing fans and punters alike.