Sky Sports Racing 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‑quality contests that make up Champions' Weekend at The Curragh. I have never hidden my admiration for Forty Years On, a filly capable of making an immediate impact when she steps into top‑class company in the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies' Stakes (3.05). Her recent performances have shown she possesses the turn of foot and stamina needed to compete at the highest level, and I expect her to be a serious contender.
Trainer George Scott, fresh from his victory in Friday's Doncaster Cup with Caballo De Mar, has found a perfect target for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. She was markedly superior to her rivals in a valuable handicap at Goodwood last month, and that dominance suggests she can translate that form to the Group level. Her ability to settle comfortably under pressure and accelerate sharply makes her a strong candidate for a sixth win in eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell's Touleen, who arrives with solid Group One credentials after a disappointing run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Touleen did look a little unbalanced in the Valiant Stakes on her last outing, so the addition of cheekpieces could help sharpen her focus. Meanwhile, Planet Seeker appears over‑rated based largely on her York performance and a respectable fourth in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood; I suspect she may struggle to match the pace set by Forty Years On.
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 season. After a near‑miss at Southwell, he produced an eye‑catching effort at York's Ebor Festival, staying on strongly from well off the pace to finish a close third over twelve furlongs. That experience should serve him well over the longer distance on the Doncaster course. Weekend picks also include Almekarem, who is backed for a handicap win at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also fancied by many punters.
In the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, Arapaho Gold is poised to continue an unbeaten run for Michael Dods, adding another exciting storyline to the weekend's racing. Today's Sky Sports Racing schedule features a clash between Spy Chief and Catullus 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 will meet at Yarmouth, and Fairy Glen is well‑favoured in the John Musker Fillies' Stakes at Yarmouth. There is also a promising prospect in Godolphin's Valedictory, who was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York last time but showed real class earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket. He now has something to prove after a recent dip in form, and a return to a more suitable distance could see him back among the leaders.
For viewers, using Chrome 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 trip at Chester when a poor draw and a disrupted run hampered his chances. George has a strong hand in that race, with stablemate Oliver Show also bringing solid form. Oliver's run behind the subsequent Goodwood winner Inspired reads well, and the addition of a visor for the first time 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 the course and distance in the spring and followed up on the all‑weather surface, though he did not relish the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
Having been off the track for a spell, he arrives fresher than his rivals, and a slightly reduced rating of 92 should give him a competitive edge. Similarly, Zooming should benefit from a more sympathetic surface for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn. She has been heavily campaigned this year and is now stepping into handicap company with a workable rating of 94, offering a realistic chance to add another victory to her record. I am eager to watch SUN GODDESS return 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 a troubled trip on the Knavesmire, yet her class shone through as she won by six lengths. This upcoming race will be a sterner test, as she steps up to seven furlongs on a firmer track, but her Phoenix Stakes win suggests she is more than capable.
In the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, Green Empress travelled well off the pace, beating the re‑opposing Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly, and Dancing Destiny, and now looks the main danger in her next start. Starlust's strong finish behind US‑trained Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York tells me 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 a fruitless spell at stud, 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 was impressed by her quick finish in the Nunthorpe after encountering trouble mid‑race.
If the conditions suit her, she could become the one to beat with Kieran Shoemark aboard. Juddmonte colt Monogram displayed class when scoring over the course and distance for Joseph O'Brien, and I believe he can step up to Group One competition in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (4.00). However, his lack of experience may give GIANT SEQUOIA an edge. Aidan O'Brien's first‑string won the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last time and remains a colt of immense potential.
Based on that performance, the son of the great Frankel still has room for improvement and could make a significant impact at the highest level, earning my vote for a thrilling renewal. With a seven‑race unbeaten streak, I am excited to see the brilliant SCANDINAVIA further 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 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 threat.
Jan Brueghel looked as good as ever when winning this season's Coronation Cup and will not shy away from this greater stamina test.