Hollie Doyle's Blog: Enthusiastic Support for Forty Years On in the Sceptre Stakes

Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle offers a preview of the final day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing alongside the high‑grade 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 impression when she steps up to compete in a Pattern race. She will contest the headline event at Doncaster on Sunday, the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3.05). Her turn of foot and composure suggest she could dominate the field.

George Scott, fresh from his victory in Friday’s Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, has identified a perfect opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson. She proved far superior to her rivals in a valuable handicap at Goodwood last month, winning with ease. That performance indicates she can handle the step up in class without difficulty. Forty Years On appears comfortable underfoot and could secure her sixth win from eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen.

Touleen brings solid Group One credentials to the race, having shown her class in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, despite a disappointing run there. The clash between these two talented fillies promises to be a highlight of the day.

In her most recent outing in the Valiant Stakes, Forty Years On looked a little unbalanced, so her connections may opt for cheekpieces to sharpen her focus. Meanwhile, Planet Seeker seems over‑rated based on her York form and a respectable fourth place in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at the Goodwood Festival. The betting market may need to reassess her chances.

Turning to the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3.40) on Sunday, it is hard to argue with the form of SAY WHAT YOU SEE. Trainer Liam Bailey has delivered a string of solid performances this year, building on a near‑miss at Southwell and an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival where the horse finished a strong third over twelve furlongs after coming from well off the pace.

The longer trip should suit the horse’s stamina. Weekend winners to watch: Almekarem is backed for a handicap triumph at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also attracting attention. Hollie Doyle highlights Arapaho Gold, who remains unbeaten for Michael Dods in Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes.

The day’s schedule on Sky Sports Racing includes Chester, Newcastle and Newbury, with Arapaho Gold featured in the Mill Reef. Other notable match‑ups include Spy Chief versus Catullus at Newbury, and the live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday. A racing round‑up notes that Almeraq is set for an Ascot return on Champions Day, while Deep Havana and Pilu will face off at Yarmouth. Godolphin’s Valedictory could provide a pleasant surprise.

The horse was a little one‑paced over two miles at York previously, after having shown genuine ability earlier in the season with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket. He now has something to prove after a modest recent performance.

For viewers, using the Chrome browser will deliver a more accessible video player experience. I am also keen on George Boughey’s lightly raced ASUKA, entered 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 confirmed his top form over a longer distance at Chester when a poor draw and an interrupted run hampered his chances. George holds a strong hand in that race, with stablemate Oliver Show adding solid form.

Oliver’s effort behind the eventual Goodwood winner Inspired last time reads well, and the first‑time visor could provide an extra edge. I am looking 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, then followed up on the all‑weather surface but disliked the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. Since then he has been off the public eye, arriving at Town Moor fresher than his rivals and carrying a slightly reduced mark of 92.

Zooming should also benefit from a kinder going for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn. She has been heavily campaigned this year and now drops into handicap company with a workable mark of 94, making her a contender. I can’t wait to watch SUN GODDESS step back into Group One company 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 trouble on The Knavesmire, yet her class shone through as she won by six lengths. The upcoming race will be tougher, as she tackles seven furlongs for the first time on a firmer track, but her Phoenix Stakes triumph suggests she is up to the challenge.

Green Empress displayed impressive cruising speed when breaking from the gates in the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, beating the re‑opposing Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny. She appears to be the main threat in that contest. The way Starlust finished behind US‑based Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York tells me he can handle another demanding race in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3.25) at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old returned from a spell at stud without success and now seems 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 outings, and I liked the way she surged home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race. If the conditions suit her, she could become the horse 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 company in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4.00). However, his lack of experience may give an edge to GIANT SEQUOIA, Aidan O’Brien’s first‑string colt that won the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last time and possesses huge 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 eager to see the brilliant SCANDINAVIA 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 one mile and six furlongs, a distance that should suit him 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 capturing this season’s Coronation Cup and will not shy away from the added stamina test. Overall, the final day of the St Leger Festival offers a blend of proven Group winners, rising stars, and seasoned campaigners, ensuring a thrilling program for racing fans across the UK and Ireland.