We’re back at Town Moor on Friday for the second day of racing at the Doncaster St Leger Festival and you can find our Doncaster day 2 betting tips and predictions below.
As with day one, there is an eight-race card for punters to look forward to, with the pick of Friday’s action being shown live on ITV Racing, where the broadcaster will cover five of the day’s races.
With two Group Two races spearheading Friday’s Doncaster card, we take a look over the day two action and pick out our selections for each race throughout the afternoon.
DONCASTER ST LEGER FESTIVAL DAY TWO TIPS – AT-A-GLANCE
1:15 Doncaster – BEYLERBEYI (12/1, EW)
1:50 Doncaster – NORTHERN CHAMPION (15/2)
2:25 Doncaster – HAVANA HURRICANE (13/2)
3:00 Doncaster – SWEET WILLIAM (11/8)
3:40 Doncaster – CHILLI QUEEN (7/1)
4:10 Doncaster – CLASSIC CUVEE (3/1)
4:45 Doncaster – SWORD MAKER (8/1)
5:20 Doncaster – CITY CAPTAIN (6/1)
FRIDAY DONCASTER ST LEGER FESTIVAL TIPS – RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW
1:15 Doncaster – Betfred Mallard Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 1m6½f
BEYLERBEYI (12/1, EW) wasn’t seen to best effect when finishing fourth in the Lanark Silver Bell at Hamilton last month, but Ian Williams’ charge had been in good heart prior to that run and the Invincible Spirit gelding is taken to bounce back here.
He had earlier reeled off a hat-trick of victories at York, Newmarket and Chepstow in the space of twelve days, and at Hamilton, he fluffed the start, slowly away from the stalls, having flyjumped as the gates opened.
There was also some blood in his mouth prior to the start, but he was deemed to fit to race; that injury sustained, however, might have been enough to see him run a shade below his best, and he’s worth another chance off the same mark.
Also, he is 2-3 at this venue, and he is versatile with regards to ground conditions, while the extra yardage could unlock another level of improvement. A big run wouldn’t come as a shock, especially if he has a decent pace to chase after, and he can make his presence felt in the day two Doncaster opener.
1:50 Doncaster – Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (2yo) 7f
NORTHERN CHAMPION (15/2) showed a good attitude to win a warm race at Deauville on debut, and with that under his belt, Ed Walker’s charge can double his tally.
The Wootton Bassett colt went with plenty of zest in that debut, travelling well and taking up the running two furlongs out. He dug deep once challenged to hold off the runner-up, who has subsequently franked the form with a valuable win at Ascot next time and with the benefit of that experience to call upon, there could be better to come from him with this extra furlong likely to bring improvement.
He’ll need to prove as effective on this quicker ground given the conditions were quite testing for that debut, but assuming the ground doesn’t inconvenience he can give a good account.
2:25 Doncaster – Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 (2yo) 5f
Dropping back to five furlongs could prove a catalyst for a return to winning ways for HAVANA HURRICANE (13/2), who has shown good speed in his races, and the Havana Gold colt can go close here.
Eve Johnston Houghton’s charge has won twice this term at the minimum distance, scoring at Goodwood on debut and doubling up his tally two starts later at Ascot when taking the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes.
Although he’s been beaten on both starts since, he was only denied a short-head by Anthelia in the Newbury Super Sprint, and he did little wrong at Goodwood latest in the Richmond over an extra furlong, although he was no match for the winner.
A drop back to five furlongs looks a good move, especially with plenty of pace likely, and he should be on the premises again.
3:00 Doncaster – Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 (3yo+) 2m2f
SWEET WILLIAM (11/8) won this race twelve months ago, having finished runner-up the previous year, and John and Thady Gosden’s star can successfully defend his crown.
The Sea The Stars gelding is winless this campaign, but he’s run well in defeat on all starts, and he’s been unfortunate to bump into Trawlerman in two of those defeats. His most recent came at York in the Lonsdale Cup, where he found only the Godolphin horse too strong by a little over one length.
He did make his almost-customary slow start, and he had to be ridden vigorously away from the stalls, but he finished off his race well and was clear of the remainder without ever seriously threatening the winner.
There’s nothing of Trawlerman’s calibre in opposition this time, and back at this venue where he’s won twice, he could take plenty of beating if running up to his best.
3:40 Doncaster – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (3yo+ 0-100) 1m4f
CHILLI QUEEN (7/1) has improved for a step up in trip and while the Havana Gold filly tackles a tougher race than her previous assignments, it might be worth chancing Emma Lavelle’s charge to find the requisite improvement.
3-3 since stepping up to this yardage, she had mostly been campaigned on the all-weather, where she struck back-to-back victories at Wolverhampton and Kempton back in May; however, she showed turf held no fears when landing her hat-trick with little fuss at Ascot in July, beating Crepe Suzette by the better part of two lengths.
That runner-up has since filled the same spot in Listed company, while a couple of lower-grade winners have also come out of that race, so the form doesn’t look too bad despite her likely needing to find some improvement at this higher level off an increased mark.
She did give the impression that there was more still in her locker and having already shown progressive form in her races to date she can certainly improve again to take a hand at the finish.
4:10 Doncaster – Coopers Marquees EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (GBB Race) Cl2 (2yo) 7f
CLASSIC CUVEE (3/1) found only one too good on her debut, and with that experience under her belt, Roger Varian’s charge could go one better.
The Siyouni filly proved no match for Zanthos on that occasion, but she was clear of reopposing Al Qaysiyya and looked as if she’d come on for the run, having looked unbalanced coming out of the dip at Newmarket.
This venue might suit her better, and the form of that Newmarket debut was boosted by the third winning next time, although the winner dealt the form a blow when being turned over at short odds at Leicester on Tuesday past.
Nevertheless, that debut ought to have taught her plenty, and she can improve for the experience to get off the mark at the second attempt.
4:45 Doncaster – Tanbry Construction ‘Confined’ Nursery Handicap (For Horses With No More Than One Win) Cl4 (2yo 0-85) 6f
SWORD MAKER (8/1) fluffed his lines at the start at Ripon when last seen, and the Pinatubo colt is given another chance based on his earlier impressive victory at Redcar in July.
Saeed bin Suroor’s charge had looked in need of the experience on debut at Newmarket, perhaps also failing to see out seven furlongs in what has turned out to be a pretty hot race. Dropped to six furlongs for his next outing, he put that experience to good use to readily see off Naawi, where he still raced a little green late on but had plenty in hand over his rivals.
He was slow away from the stalls in a four-runner race at Ripon when last seen, never able to get involved; but he’s likely better than he was able to show there, and he steps into handicap company off what could prove a lenient mar,k assuming he can break on better terms this time around.
5:20 Doncaster – Danum Homes Excellence In Build Apprentice Handicap Cl4 (3yo+ 0-85) 6f
CITY CAPTAIN (6/1) has been in good form this term, winning three of his four starts earlier in the campaign before a short break; the Aclaim gelding returned with a solid fourth to Aberama Gold at Southwell last month and a repeat could see Harriet Bethell’s charge in the mix.
Earlier wins all came at this trip at Pontefract, Carlisle and Hamilton respectively on a range of ground conditions, although all three were also at a much lower grade than this. However, his last outing came in this grade during week six of the Racing League, and he was beaten less than one length, finishing off the race well, having been held up.
He is up 3lbs for that run as he returns to turf, but the form of his earlier Hamilton win has thrown up a pair of subsequent dual-winners, and there could be further improvement to come from this lightly-raced three-year-old who remains unexposed on turf.
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