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 high‑calibre action of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. In her preview she openly expresses her admiration for the filly Forty Years On, a horse that can instantly make a mark in top‑class company when she lines up for the headline race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3.05). George Scott, fresh from his Friday triumph in the Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, sees a prime 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 she now looks ready to dominate again. The filly travels lightly, relishes a good gallop, and could notch her sixth win in eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen, a proven Group One performer who was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. While Forty Years On appeared a little awkward in her last outing in the Valiant Stakes, a well‑placed cheekpiece could sharpen her focus.
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. Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3.40) on Sunday, there is little to criticize about Say What You See, who has benefited from a string of solid rides by trainer Liam Bailey this season.
After a near‑miss at Southwell, the horse produced an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival, staying on from well off the pace to finish a strong third over twelve furlongs – a performance that suggests he will relish an even longer trip. Weekend picks include Almekarem, backed for a handicap win at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also among the fancied runners.
Hollie Doyle also highlights Arapaho Gold, who could extend his unbeaten record for Michael Dods in Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes. On today’s Sky Sports Racing schedule, viewers can watch Spy Chief and Catullus clash at Newbury, with additional live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday. The racing round‑up notes that Almeraq is set for an Ascot return on Champions Day, while Deep Havana and Pilu meet at Yarmouth, and Fairy Glen is well‑supported in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at the same venue.
Godolphin’s Valedictory may provide a nice surprise; the horse was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York previously but had shown real class earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket. He now has something to prove after a dip in his current rating. For viewers needing a smoother video experience, a Chrome browser is recommended. George Boughey’s lightly‑run Asuka is another intriguing prospect 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 displayed top form over a longer distance at Chester despite a poor draw and an interrupted run. George also has a strong hand in that race, with stablemate Oliver Show bringing solid form after a commendable effort behind the eventual Goodwood winner Inspired. The first‑time visor on Oliver Show adds 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 (2.30) on Sunday. Trained by Clive Cox, the three‑year‑old broke her maiden over the course and distance in the spring, then performed well on all‑weather but struggled on the fast ground at the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
Having not raced publicly since, she arrives fresher than her rivals and is well‑treated off a slightly reduced rating of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a kinder going, returning to a more suitable surface for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn.
After a heavily campaigned season, she drops into handicap company with a workable mark of 94. The highlight for many will be Sun Goddess’s return to Group One level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2.50) at The Curragh on Sunday, following a dominant win in a valuable sales race at York last month. Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame trouble at Doncaster but still produced a six‑length victory, demonstrating class that should translate to the stiffer Curragh track over seven furlongs.
Green Empress, who travelled well and took the lead from the start in the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, beating Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, appears to be the main threat in her upcoming race. Starlust’s performance in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, where he finished just behind the US‑trained Bacio, suggests 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, returning from an unproductive spell at stud, seems 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 runs and flashed home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race. If the race unfolds in her favour, she could become the one to beat with 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 competition in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4.00). However, his lack of experience might give an edge to Giant Sequoia, a first‑string son of Aidan O’Brien who captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes here previously and is regarded as a colt of immense potential.
Based on that performance, the Frankel offspring still has room for improvement and could make a significant impact at the highest level, earning a strong vote for the upcoming renewal. With a seven‑race unbeaten streak, the brilliant Scandinavia is poised 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 even on a stiff track, and he could justify short odds in pursuit of a fifth top‑level victory. His stable companion Jan Brueghel, also a Doncaster St Leger winner, presents a clear danger.
Having won this season’s Coronation Cup, Jan Brueghel will relish the greater stamina test posed by the Irish St Leger.