Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, is gearing up for the concluding day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing alongside the high‑calibre contests of Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. In her preview, Doyle makes no secret of her admiration for the mare Forty Years On, a horse that can instantly make a mark in top‑class company when she lines up for the headline event at Doncaster on Sunday – the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes, offered at odds of 3.05. George Scott, who captured Friday’s Doncaster Cup aboard Caballo De Mar, has identified a prime opportunity for this exceptionally progressive daughter of Mayson.
Forty Years On proved far superior to her rivals in a valuable Goodwood handicap last month, and her ability to travel smoothly underfoot suggests she could notch her sixth win from eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell’s Touleen. Touleen arrives with solid Group One credentials, having shown her class in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, albeit hampered by an unlucky run.
While Forty Years On appeared a little awkward in her previous outing in the Valiant Stakes, the addition of cheekpieces may sharpen her focus. In contrast, Planet Seeker seems over‑valued based on her York performance 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 the form of 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, Bailey produced an eye‑catching run at York’s Ebor Festival, staying on strongly from well off the pace to finish a closing third over twelve furlongs – a trip that should suit the horse’s stamina. Weekend tips include Almekarem, who is backed for a handicap win at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also fancied. Doyle also highlights Arapaho Gold, who can extend his unbeaten run for Michael Dods in Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes. The day’s Sky Sports Racing schedule features Chester, Newcastle and Newbury, with Arapaho Gold targeting the Mill Reef, while Spy Chief and Catullus clash at Newbury and Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton are also broadcast live on Friday.
In the racing round‑up, Almeraq is set for an Ascot return on Champions Day, and Deep Havana will meet Pilu at Yarmouth. Godolphin’s Valedictory may provide a nice race; the horse was a touch one‑paced over two miles at York last time, yet earlier in the season he demonstrated real ability with back‑to‑back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket.
He now has something to prove off his current rating. Doyle recommends 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 confirmed his top form over a longer distance at Chester when a poor draw and a disrupted run hampered his chances.
George also has a strong hand in the race, with stablemate Oliver Show contributing solid form. Oliver’s run behind the eventual winner Inspired at Goodwood reads well, and the first‑time visor adds an interesting tactical element. Langstone is another horse to watch 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 struggled on the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
Since then he has not been seen publicly, arriving at Town Moor fresher than his rivals and carrying a slightly reduced rating of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a more forgiving surface for the first time since her maiden win at Newmarket last autumn. She has been heavily campaigned this year and drops into handicap company for the first time, carrying a workable mark of 94. Looking ahead to The Curragh, Doyle is eager to see SUN GODDESS back at Group One level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2.50) on Sunday after a dominant performance in a valuable sales race at York last month.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly overcame traffic trouble on The Knavesmire, yet her class shone through as she won by six lengths. The upcoming race will be tougher, as she steps up to seven furlongs on a firmer track for the first time, but the Phoenix Stakes winner appears up to the challenge. In the Group Two Debutante Stakes last month, Green Empress travelled well off the start, beating the re‑opposing Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, and now looks the main threat in her next outing.
Starlust’s effort behind US‑trained Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York suggests he can contest another major race in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3.25) at The Curragh. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who returned from an unproductive spell at stud, 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 runs, and her flash home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid‑race was impressive.
If the circumstances fall in her favour, she could become the one to beat with Kieran Shoemark aboard. 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). However, his lack of experience may give Giant Sequoia an edge.
Aidan O’Brien’s first string captured the Group Two Futurity Stakes here last time, and the colt, a son of the legendary Frankel, still possesses ample room for improvement, earning Doyle’s vote for a thrilling 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 one mile and six furlongs, a distance that should suit him on the stiff track, and he could justify his short odds in pursuit of a fifth top‑level victory. Stable companion Jan Brueghel, another Doncaster St Leger winner, presents a clear danger.
He looked as good as ever when winning this season’s Coronation Cup and will relish the added test of stamina offered by the Irish St Leger. Overall, the final day of the St Leger Festival promises a blend of proven talent and emerging stars across both flat and handicap divisions, and Hollie Doyle’s insights highlight the key horses to watch as the season draws to an exciting close.