The ITV Racing cameras head to Doncaster on Thursday for the first of three days at the St Leger Festival, and our NAP is Beguiled to win the Group 2 May Hill Stakes — the televised finale — as part of a selection for all five races.
John and Thady Gosden’s filly can take a big step forward over this longer trip. Below are our tips for every ITV race on the opening day at Town Moor, headed by two Group 2 contests.
ITV Racing Thursday Tips: Our Doncaster Selections
| Time | Race | Our Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 13:15 | Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery Handicap | Bymiddaytomorrow (EW) |
| 13:50 | Weatherbys £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes | Night In Vegas |
| 14:25 | Pertemps Network Handicap | King Of Earth |
| 15:00 | Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2) | Waardah |
| 15:35 | May Hill Stakes (Group 2) | Beguiled (NAP) |
Our NAP (strongest bet) is Beguiled in the 15:35. Tips are the author’s opinion and not guaranteed. 18+. GambleAware.org.
13:15 Doncaster – Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery Handicap: Bymiddaytomorrow (EW)
Bymiddaytomorrow is worth an each-way interest after her hat-trick bid was firmly thwarted when only seventh at York last month. Ed Walker’s filly had previously won at Ayr in July and scored under a penalty on her handicap debut at Thirsk. Thrust into a valuable contest last time, she was beaten around nine lengths by Mia Fantasia, having taken a keen hold and been made too much use of to help set the pace — but the first two from that race went on to Group and Listed company, so the form is strong. Improvement is needed, but with a good 3lb claimer who’s already won on her, the Mehmas filly can outrun her big odds.
13:50 Doncaster – Weatherbys £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes: Night In Vegas
Night In Vegas took advantage of dropping out of Group Two company to land a valuable Newmarket sprint last time, and Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt can claim another big prize here. The Lucky Vega colt won his first two starts at Ascot and Goodwood, and while beaten on his next two, those came in the Coventry Stakes and the Richmond Stakes, where he finished third. He ran out a cosy winner of the Somerville Auction latest and may have better still to come, so he’s fancied to run well again.
14:25 Doncaster – Pertemps Network Handicap: King Of Earth
King Of Earth returns to handicap company after failing to fire in a Group Three last time, and William Haggas’ colt can leave that run behind. The Kingman colt had won his two previous starts at Wolverhampton and the Curragh, and may simply have found the Group Three Strensall Stakes too classy, beating only one home. This mark is no gimme back in the handicap ranks, but his earlier Irish handicap-debut win has thrown up a couple of winners, and the extra furlong here may unlock further progression. He can make his presence felt.
15:00 Doncaster – Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2): Waardah
Waardah has gone close on both starts this term, and it might be third time lucky for Owen Burrows’ filly. The Postponed filly won last season’s Lillie Langtry at Goodwood before finding the Champion Fillies and Mares race at Ascot a step too far behind Kalpana. She’s returned in good form, making the frame in both runs this season — most recently beaten just a head into third at Goodwood. Conditions here won’t be an issue, and first-time headgear could see her back in the winners’ enclosure.
15:35 Doncaster – May Hill Stakes (Group 2): Beguiled (NAP)
Beguiled can land the televised finale for the Gosdens and take a big step forward — the NAP of our card. The Make Believe filly showed up well on her Goodwood debut in July, finishing third in a race that’s working out well, and duly improved to score readily at Newmarket last time. There could be plenty more to come, especially with this longer trip expected to suit, and her top yard — winners of this twice in recent seasons — clearly believe she can be competitive at this level. A big run wouldn’t surprise, and she can go close.
Our Thursday NAP: Beguiled
Our strongest bet of the day is Beguiled in the May Hill Stakes (15:35). A progressive, well-bred Gosden filly stepping up in trip for a Group 2, her yard has won twice in recent seasons, she’s the highlight of our Doncaster card. As always, it’s a tip based on her form and profile, not a guarantee.
Where to Bet on ITV Racing
Most of the day’s races are covered by Best Odds Guaranteed, so you’ll be paid at the SP if your selection drifts. See our guide to Best Odds Guaranteed and our full ITV Racing tips for more.
18+. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAP for ITV Racing on Thursday? Our NAP is Beguiled in the 15:35 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster — the strongest bet on our St Leger Festival opening-day card.
What are the ITV Racing tips for Thursday? Our selections are Bymiddaytomorrow (1:15, each-way), Night In Vegas (1:50), King Of Earth (2:25), Waardah (3:00) and Beguiled (3:35 NAP), all at Doncaster.
What time is the May Hill Stakes? The Group 2 May Hill Stakes, the televised finale on Thursday, is off at 3:35pm at Doncaster, live on ITV.
Which races are on ITV at the St Leger Festival on Thursday? ITV shows five races from Doncaster on Thursday, from 1:15 through to 3:35, headed by the Group 2 Park Hill and May Hill Stakes.
More racing tips: ITV Racing tips · Best Odds Guaranteed · Tom Segal Pricewise tips · Horse racing tips
Tips are the opinion of the author and are not guaranteed. Odds and selections were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. GambleAware.org · GamCare.org.uk.
Andy Clark is a British betting analyst and the founder and editor of Thatsagoal, a UK sports betting comparison site operated by Thatsagoal Media Limited. He has over 20 years of betting experience across football and horse racing, and personally tests every bookmaker account reviewed on the site.