ITV Racing Tips: St Leger Day Selections From Doncaster On Saturday

The St Leger meeting at Doncaster concludes with an epic day of action, which of course culminates in the big one. ITV Racing will be showing the key contests live, from the juvenile stars in the Champagne Stakes to the cavalry charge of the Portland, before the Classic itself takes centre stage. Billy Grimshaw has scoured the Donny slate and has a couple of extra recommended bets to go with his pick in the Classic...

13:50 Doncaster - Champagne Stakes

Seven furlongs at Doncaster asks a real question of two-year-olds – not just about raw pace, but whether they’ve got the rhythm, balance and patience to stretch out when the race begins to sting. For that reason, I’m backing OXAGON. He’s been a model of consistency all season, and what marks him down as different is his ability to handle pressure when races don’t go his way. At York last time, the early gallop was brutal and he was shuffled about turning in, but he never panicked. He stuck to his task, switched for daylight and came home running. That told me he’s got both the engine and the temperament for a demanding test like this.

His action is smooth and efficient, never wasting energy, and that’s exactly the sort that gets rewarded up Town Moor’s long straight. You don’t want a choppy stride here, you want one that flows and allows momentum to build, and Oxagon ticks that box. The likely shape of this race should also play into his hands. A couple of forward-goers will ensure they don’t dawdle, and if his jockey can angle him just off the pace, he’ll be the one still finding when the others are already crying enough.

There are dangers, of course. Gewan has course form and a sharp turn of foot, but he tends to burn matches early and I suspect this longer straight won’t flatter him. Cape Orator is upwardly mobile and could develop again, though I worry about him if the ground eases or the leaders go hard and he fights restraint. For me, Oxagon is the one with the clearest route to progression – he travels, he quickens, he copes with trouble, and most importantly he finishes off his races. This feels like his moment to step out of the pack and stamp himself as a colt going places.

15:00 Doncaster - Park Stakes

I’m siding with SHADOW OF LIGHT in this, another seven furlong contest. He arrives after a fairly long break, and I believe this drop back to a Group-2 after deeper tests the last thrice will revive his confidence and play to his strengths. In his two year old days he showed he handles middle distances but everyone wanted to see him sprint. Stamina doubts aplenty then, but what struck me most on his penultimate race was his staying power, sticking in stoutly over this longer trip despite being under pressure early. That shows he has the toughness to match his class and that acceleration when others are flagging. In this race, could be exactly what's needed.

His connections also give me confidence, with his trainer form with these kinds of drop-down Group spots has been good this season. Moreover, I expect the ground to be just on the softer side of good, which tends to favour those with a bit of give in their action. Seeing how Shadow Of Light moves, he looks comfortable when cruising, not scrubbing from hoof to ground and that should allow him to wind up better over the final furlong.

The danger lies with Ten Bob Tony, who tends to race prominently and could force a strong tempo; Marvelman is classy and has shown spark, especially if weight falls kind; East Hampton has form overseas that suggests he could outrun odds if he settles. But tactical speed early often hurts stamina in this trip, and I think Shadow Of Light will be travelling smoother, held up a little, then delivered late. When the leaders begin to wilt that could be when Shadow Of Light steps out of the shadows himself.