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

The fourth and final day of the Pertemps St Leger Festival takes centre-stage in the racing world on Saturday as the final British Classic of the season takes place.
The scene at Doncaster Racecourse on Friday. Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty ImagesThe scene at Doncaster Racecourse on Friday. Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
The scene at Doncaster Racecourse on Friday. Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Group One event is one of seven races on the card with the opening contest at 1.15pm with the finale at 5.15pm. We have previewed all of the action with tips and analysis.

The £350,000 Group One St Leger (3.35pm) live on ITV is of course the highlight. We have previewed the contest in our runner-by-runner guide. Santiago however should be tough to beat for Aidan O’Brien. He captured the Irish Derby earlier this season and is already proven over this trip following his success in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. He should take plenty of beating and is preferred to Pyledriver who was impressive in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, a recognised St Leger trial, at York last time but has to prove he will be as effective over this longer trip.

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Hukum has impressed in two starts at Newbury and Royal Ascot this year and could give Santiago the most to think about along with the unexposed Galileo Chrome who is unbeaten in three runs this year. Recent Goodwood winner Subjectivist and Derby fifth English King also warrant a mention.

Away from the St Leger, the seven-runner £60,000 Group Two Champagne Stakes (1.50pm) has thrown up some superstars in recent years and Chindit looks a very exciting prospect for Richard Hannon. Successful on his debut at Doncaster over course and distance in July, he took the step up to Listed company in his stride at Ascot last time out. A 65,000gns purchase, he looks one of the most promising juveniles around and can win this.

Albasheer was successful by over six lengths on his debut over course and distance at Town Moor and is another to consider along with Mujbar who created a striking impression when bolting up by seven lengths at Newmarket on his latest start. Devious Company was unlucky in a big sales race at York in August, whilst Saint Lawrence, an easy winner of a Listed event at Newbury last time out, also warrants a mention.

The other big Group race of the day is the £80,000 Group Two Park Stakes (3.00pm) which sees 2015 Limato aim to become just the fourth horse to win two renewals of the seven-furlong event. The evergreen eight-year-old bolted up in a Group Three event on his return to action and could prove difficult to beat over his preffered trip.

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Wichita was a neck second in the 2000 Guineas earlier this season and has been dining at the top table in three runs since. This marks a drop back to seven furlongs, a trip he seems to enjoy and a drop in grade. Those two factors could prove crucial, whilst he is also set to be partnered on Town Moor by Frankie Dettori.

Group One winner One Master did not get the run of the race when second at York last time and has to enter calculations along with Molatham who landed the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on his first start of the season. Breathtaking Look comes into this race on the back of an easy victory in a Group Three at Deauville and is another to note.

Elsewhere, Magical Morning looks to have a good opportunity to get back to winning ways in the £40,000 mile handicap at 1.15pm in which Matthew Flinders could prove a worthy adversary.

Spanish Archer, a former winner at the track has good claims of defying top-weight in the £35,000 finale at 5.15pm over 12-furlongs in which Al Muffrih could pose a threat, whilst in the £50,000 Portland Handicap at 2.25pm, Soldier’s Minute, second in a competitive event at York last time out, heads the market.

Doncaster Saturday Selections

1:15pm: Magical Morning

1:50pm: Chindit

2:25pm: Soldier’s Minute

3:00pm: Wichita

3:35pm: Santiago

4:05pm: Lone Eagle

5:15pm: Al Muffrih

Tips and analysis via BettingExpert

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