St Leger Festival: Preview and tips for Saturday's showpiece meeting at Doncaster

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Doncaster card, brought to you by BOYLE Sports, who have all the horse racing odds.

We begin with a mile two-year-olds’ maiden (13.10). The winner of this race automatically receives an entry for the following year’s St Leger, so it’s worth noting the winner here. There is a good number of newcomers here, making this a difficult race to really judge, but Al Jabbar and Game Character bring the best existing form. The debutants all sport impressive breeding, particularly Bombora - a son of Baaeed - who is trained by the formidable Karl Burke.

Next is the Champagne Stakes, a Group Two race for juvenile colts and geldings run over seven-furlongs (13.45). Each of the six runners is a winner already, the biggest winning margin produced by Godolphin’s Desert Castle. The form of that race has yet to prove itself, though, so it might be worth considering Rosberg, who has won at Listed level in France and who can go on any ground.

Race three is the Portland Heritage Handicap, run over an extended five furlongs (14.20). David O’Meara’s Toca Madera wasn’t too far behind Naana’s Sparkle at Goodwood last time and is on the same, competitive mark. Apollo One could be worth thinking about, one pound below his last performance, while Desert Falcon could be ready for this now. Wind surgery before his latest race appeared to have helped and he has a first-time visor on this time.

The Group Two Park Stakes follows, run over seven furlongs (14.55). William Haggas’ More Thunder is the top-rated and has been consistently good - although winless - all season. This will not be an easy race for any of the eight involved, but Volterra is worthy of a second look. He goes well on easier ground and has been gelded ahead of today, which might see him improve.

Our feature race, the mile and three-quarters St Leger Stakes for three-year-olds, is next (15.35). Derby winner Christmas Day tops the ratings, but he looks likely to need the ground to be as soft as possible to ensure a win. Enceladus is the market leader for Joseph O’Brien, with Billy Loughnane in the saddle. He has recently completed a hat-trick but this is a much tougher ask; both a Group One and a Classic up against better rivals. Pierre Bonnard won't want the ground too soft but has a proper chance, while Alderman could run to a place.

Second to last is a mile handicap (16.15). Bullet Point was good last time out but has risen in the weights since, while Moonfall could have a chance after a good run in defeat at Ascot last time. Scoville is on a very attractive mark now but is untested on ground like this, while Inspired looks overpriced, having appeared to improve up to his current mark.

The concluding race is a 10-furlong handicap (16.48). Bunyola Bay has been well below form in his latest pair of starts, which puts him at a more attractive mark but a significant improvement would be needed here. Flying Frontier, on the other hand, could win on this mark and should not be put out by the ground description. Tom Marquand in the saddle is a positive.

Doncaster selections - Saturday

13.10 - Game Character

13.45 - Rosberg

14.20 - Desert Falcon

14.55 - Volterra

15.35 - Alderman e/w

16.15 - Inspired

16.48 - Flying Frontier