St Leger Festival Day 3 Tips: Three bets for Friday at Doncaster

There's a mouth-watering seven-race card at Doncaster on Friday afternoon, as day three of the St Leger festival lights up Town Moor, and we have three bets across the Flat action, which includes the Doncaster Cup and Flying Childers Stakes...

13:40 Doncaster - Cazoo Flying Scotsman Stakes

A bunch of exciting juveniles line up for the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at 13:40 on Friday, and it's a thrilling betting heat with the bookmakers going 7/2 the field, at the time of writing. Narrowly at the top of the market is Charlie Appleby's Noble Truth, who was last seen failing to land any sort of blow in the Acomb Stakes at York.

Last time out winners Hoo Ya Mal and Ribhi are next in the betting, and they have both shown significant potential and have to be considered players, but the stand out performer is the Richard Hannon-trained RAZZLE DAZZLE, who was hugely impressive last time out and can continue on an upward curve by landing victory in this event.

An excellent second at Newmarket on debut, Razzle Dazzle came on significantly for his first run, as the son of Muhaarar returned to Flat HQ and cruised to a dominant five-and-a-half length victory in a novice stakes. Quickening in terrific fashion that day, Razzle Dazzle was sent to the front from the start and duly set the tempo before unleashing a fine burst of speed to put the race to bed in a matter of a few strides.

He jinked right at the start of that event, so he can't afford to do that here now up in grade, but the manner in which he eased to victory suggested there's significantly more under the bonnet. Likely to adopt front-running tactics again, Razzle Dazzle will look to show his fine turn of foot again in this tougher event, and having shown 7f is to his liking then he can grab victory here with aplomb.

15:15 Doncaster - racehorselotto.com Mallard Handicap

Emmet Mullins will saddle a fascinating Irish contender in the Mallard Handicap at 15:15, as Sevenna Star will make the trip over from the Emerald Isle for this staying event and has to be a leading player in a competitive-looking renewal. A former winner of the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown, while under the stewardship of John Gosden, if he can get anywhere near that form then he will be tough to beat off bottom weight.

However, he was only fourth at Killarney last time out, and he maybe worth taking on with the Eve Johnson-Houghton-trained HMS PRESIDENT, who has been knocking on the door of late and can finally get his head in front here. Last seen finishing in mid-division in a hugely competitive York handicap, the four-year-old had previously finished a narrow runner-up in a Shergar Cup contest, but it was his performance three starts ago that gives him a squeak here.

Lining up over 1m 2f in the Racing League at Doncaster back in August, Hms President was lining up off a mark of 89, and he will only be 3lbs higher on Friday afternoon, as he takes his chance off 92 in the Mallard. Just edged out by Corbulo that day, Hms President was doing all his best work in the closing stages of that race, and he shaped like a step up in trip should suit, so it's worth a chance tackling the extended 1m 6f on Friday.

Ryan Moore will take the ride on board the four-year-old, who can finally notch up his first success since May this year.

15:45 Doncaster - Cazoo Handicap

Unable to make it three wins out of three in his fledgling career when second at Ffos Las time out, Asjad will look to bounce back to winning ways and is a leading contender in the Cazoo Handicap at 15:45. But, having failed to taste victory off a mark of 95 last time out, he will line up here off 96 in a tougher event, so he could prove vulnerable.

One worth taking sides with is the Mick Channon-trained CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD, who has failed to get his head in front since July 2020, but he's been slipping gradually down the handicap in recent times, and now sits 1lb lower than his last winning mark, so has to be a major player.

That aforementioned win last year came off a mark of 89 and he takes his chance off 88 here, but it was his showing at Thirsk in his last outing that suggests he could be worth following. He finished a creditable fifth at Thirsk off 89, but he was threatening to challenge for glory that day before his path was blocked off, and his race was run.

He still stayed on eye-catchingly in the closing stages of that event, so to gain a 1lb drop is generous, and if he can get more luck in running here then he has to be the one to side with at a decent price.