Thursday's Meetings Doncaster Flat 8 Races 1:50-5:50p.m. Epsom Flat 7 Races 2:00-5:22p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 9 Races 4:25-8:30p.m. Ffos Las Abandoned Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Doncaster 2.25 ... HALLASAN Appleby/Buick/Godolphin. Has improved 'enormously' since being gelded. Top one to beat...
5.22 Epsom-Autumn Dream Each Way...16-1 at the moment Disappointing beaten fav last time but she could bounce back on this track
An eight race card to start the St Leger meeting at Doncaster made complicated for punters with three nurseries, including the opener. In his Sporting Life column, Richard Fahey admits that he has targeted the first race with his filly Eartha, about which he is very positive and concludes “I think she can run very well” – surely a tip in itself. At this time of year the top two year old races tend to become more a case of form over potential but the first of the two Group 2 features at Doncaster today, the May Hill (3:00) has an unjustifiably odds-on favourite. My mate thinks he was smart backing Desert Flower at 11/8 yesterday before the stable lad went into the betting shop on Newmarket High Street and put 50p on it. It might well win but the Appleby yard only has 4 winners in its last 25 runners since 16th August; and Ballydoyle is doubly represented. I see that the money is going on the form pick January rather than Ryan Moore’s mount Ecstatic; and I would agree with the punters taking a four length Listed winner over a three length maiden winner but Moore rode both those wins, so is the latter better? Five of the ten runners have absolutely no chance but the form pick really is the Group 3 Prestige Stakes winner Anshoda who should have no trouble with the step up to the mile. I expect to be hearing my mate crowing at 3:05 if his bet comes up as he was crowing last night when it went odds-on despite me telling him it was a bad bet – a winner is still a winner even if a mug put it on. The other Group 2 on the card is the Park Hill (3:35) for fillies and mares over fourteen furlongs, sometimes referred to as the Fillies’ St Leger. This has proven to be a good race for three year olds recently but only three line up today of the ten declared. I cannot make any case for outsider Gather Ye Rosebuds, not seen on a racecourse for 110 days and with a first time hood. Similarly Ambiente Amigo steps up in trip after being well beaten in a ten furlong York handicap last time prior to which she had been third in a Listed race won easily by Mistral Star with Nakheel fourth. Last year’s winner Sumo Sam has done nothing in three starts since but she looks the likely pace angle today. She was last when favourite at Goodwood two starts back in a race won by Gather Ye Rosebuds, over whom she has race fitness. Sweet Memories tries a longer trip after failing to trouble the judge in either of her starts in 2024, a well beaten fourth in the Lancashire Oaks and stone last in the Prix de Pomone, so there is no form reason to see her coming good. There is an interesting runner from Ballydoyle as Grateful won a Group 3 over this trip at Fairyhouse but was subsequently just sixth in the Lillie Langtry, where Dancing Tango reversed the form with her and Night Sparkle was second. Night Sparkle ran last time in the Lonsdale Cup, finishing a respectable fourth having led two furlongs from home but her last win was a handicap at this distance in August 2023, so she may continue to find one or two too good at this level. Mistral Star’s form makes her a very live contender. When she was third in the twelve furlong Pinnacle Stakes, Scenic and Night Sparkle were behind. Over the same trip she won the Aphrodite at HQ with Ambiente Amigo and Nakheel behind; however, last time she was probably outclassed in the Yorkshire Oaks with a respectable fourth. The unknown quantity of this race is the thrice raced three year old Oxford Comma, winner of both her 2024 starts, most recently a novice race at this course in June. The Nathaniel filly won going away that day so the extra two furlongs look within her compass and if the good record of three year olds is to continue it will most likely be her. However, I am going with Ed Walker’s filly SCENIC. She was beaten in a three-way photo for the Listed Prix du Carrousel at Deauville over this trip before hammering a competitive field, including Nakheel, in the Galtres Stakes at York. My concern is that she has only won twice in her fourteen previous starts so I am ignoring a lot of mediocre form before her last two starts.
Donny picks to get me through the boredom at work today... 1:50 - Silver Ghost, 9/1 2:25 - An Outlaws Grace, 15/2 3:00 - January, 9/2 3:35 - Mistral Star, 9/2 4:10 - Victorious Street, 15/2 4:40 - Back in Black, 3/1 5:15 - Defence Missile, 4/1 5:50 - Champagne Prince, 9/1 Good luck if you are having a play today...
In the Group-2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes at Doncaster (15:35) over an extended 1m6f on good-to-soft ground, will take a chance with the well-bred Nakheel at a pretty decent price. Jim Crowley rides for the Owen Burrows yard. 10/1 (Wm.Hill/Ladbrokes) top price early-doors, on the ATR site. E/W best option.
Thankfully I had small stakes at 20/1 last week and £20 e/way at 12/1 with 365 on Monday... cake for tea...!
Won at 10/1 SP. After the disappointing run in France by the first selection, this was a welcome winner. Very gutsy performance by Nakheel, who ran-on gamely at the finish. Jim Crowley had to be at his strongest to get her home. Don't know how big Owen Burrows' stable is, but he certainly knows how to train winners of important races, for sure. Nice win for owner, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, too.
