ITV Racing Tips: Get The Latest Tips On Saturday 14th September From Doncaster's St Leger Festival
It's time for the final British Classic of the season on Saturday as Doncaster has the eyes of the racing world descend on South Yorkshire for the St Leger. ITV Racing are of course in town for the final day of the Festival and we have tips across the covered cards at both Donny and Chester...
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13:50 Doncaster - Champagne Stakes
WOLF OF BADENOCH looks the one to be with here and I'd be surprised if he is not challenging for favouritism by the time we go to post. He began his career with a decisive win over this course and distance in a maiden and as impressive as that was, Hugo Palmer's charge kicked on still further with a smashing second in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, behind a very well regarded Godolphin horse. He has been well supported since markets open which is another plus.
The form was franked further by the third that day Cool Hoof Luke coming out and winning the Gimcrack at York and that form already looks to be working out, so for all that Chancellor is from the sexier connections in the Gosdens and has proven his liking for this track with a couple of wins either side of an Ascot flop, his form does not stack up to the extent of the second favourite. He did win with consummate ease last time out and is probaly above average, but I like Wolf Of Badenoch and will row in behind him as a horse for today and the future.
14:25 Doncaster - Portland Stakes
A quirky race which brings goldilocks horse who don't have the speed for five or the stamina for six to the fore, the Portland Stakes over five and a half at a fair track like Doncaster is always a real late season highlight for those who enjoy sprint racing. Albasheer fits that bill and probably should have won at Beverley last time out, just beaten in a photo by Democracy Dilemma. The issue for him is that fine effort meant another hike in the weights and I'm worried he'll get beaten by something better handicapped.
There are some alarming draw related stats for those drawn low, with in the last decade just two winners coming from single digit stalls. That was the final nail in the coffin for me in terms of backing Albasheer, and with the expected pace coming from the rapid Hiya Mate in 19 and Get It in 18 I think those drawn mid to high will fare best. Vintage Clarets makes some each-way appeal with Jamie Spencer on board but his price has gone a bit now and I'm not entirely convinced he'll stay, even with the most patient rider in the world on his back, so my pick is HOLKHAM BAY in stall 12.
He had no chance at York with the huge draw bias against him last time out but if we put a line through that run, his form figures in the previous four read 2-2-1-1. He has been having a brilliant season and with a five pound claimer booked is carrying one of the lowest weights in here. He should have a nice pace to aim at with the speed high and his rider will hopefully head over to the correct side of the track as soon as possible, so with loads now in his favour as opposed to the blow out at York he'll do each-way at double figures.
15:00 Doncaster - Park Stakes
The place to start in this race is with favourite Kinross, and the old boy will certainly have an army of fans cheering him on as he always does. I will not be involved with this cheering, however, as I'm convinced he is not the horse he was this time last year and at 2/1 he is quite frankly a rank price. I was quite keen on Lake Forest but as I am penning this piece he has been confirmed as a non-runner, but that should at least make the task easier for my fancy SHOULDVEBEENARING.
Richard Hannon's charge needs forgiving for a no-show last weekend in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, but that was a funny old race and at the prices here I'm more than happy to let that one slide. He ran a very good race considering the pace bias in the City Of York Stakes at York's Ebor meeting to place and while on the bare form he should've beaten the horse that won that day, considering how the track was riding he did well to end up where he did. I like the step up in trip and think he can at least hit the frame.
Taking Kinross out of our thoughts the obvious main danger is now Lead Artist, and in a match bet I'd be all over him. He's lightly raced and won well at Goodwood last time out over a mile, showing good speed and so this drop to seven should cause no problems. He is the most likely winner for me but Shouldvebeenaring has a squeak and is well over priced.