Hi all,
Breanski managed to get into the places yesterday but sadly Broughton’s Gold just missed out finishing 5th in his races.
The feature race on Day 3 of the St Leger Festival is the Group 2 Doncaster Cup at 3:15. I’m running behind schedule this morning so today’s post just concentrates on the races where I have selections.
Doncaster St Leger Fesival – Day 3
1.40 – bet365 Mallard Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6 ½ f
Alfaatik returned from a 455-day lay off to win at York three weeks ago. Even from a 5lb higher mark the unexposed 4-year-old will be tough to beat.
Sleeping Lion, trained by James Fanshawe, was a recent eyecatcher looks to be coming to the boil at the right time. Runner-up at Newcastle two starts back. He ran just as well when 3rd of 10 at Ascot last time Not for the first time I think 2m just stretches his stamina and a slight drop back in trip could help. His best performance on RPR’s came when winning the Mallard Handicap at Doncaster last September. That success came over the St Leger distance of 1m 6 ½ f. And a strongly run race over that trip looks to be his optimum trip. As does good to firm going, as his best turf RPR’s have now come on good to firm going. Hopefully the going will be quick enough today and he’s my selection against the likely favourite.
1pt win – Sleeping Lion – 5/1 @ Bet365
2:10 – bet365 Handicap (Class 2) – 6 ½ f
The record of three-years-oldin the race is an unappealing 1 winner from 23 runners 2 placed in the past 11 years which puts me off the well fancied Sunset Breeze and Musicality. Of the pair my preference is for the latter. Today’s extra furlong will suit, as does a galloping track, as he showed when winning at Newmarket 14-days ago. Up 7lb for that success apart from the 3-year-old stat he’s high on the shortlist.
Ghalyoon returned from 399-day lay off to finish 2nd off 11 here over 7f. It was an encouraging effort by the lightly raced 5-year-old who was having just his fourth career start. The slight drop in distance and a strongly run race should suit and he’s a big player.
Chiefofchiefs came from off the pace to win the Silver Wokingham at Royal Ascot, off 5lb lower, and ran another respectable race back at the same venue when 4th of 19 in the International Stakes over 7f last time. Remains on a competitive mark but trainer Charlie Fellowes has gone 34-days and 41 runners since his last winner.
Edgewood form figures since returning to action are 131. The 4-year-old is up 7lb for the latest of those wins at Hamilton. His improved performances have come on good to soft/soft but if he’s as effective on quicker ground is firmly in the mix.
Tranchee comes into the race in excellent form and has finished runner-up on his last two starts at Newbury and latterly Haydock 7-days ago. Today’s slightly shorter trip should suit and if he’s as effective on quicker ground looks set to go well again. Vulnerable to any unexposed types in the race but Ray Dawson takes off a handy 5lb and he’s got each way claims once more.
Verdict: I wouldn’t put you off the likely favourite Ghalyoon who remains capable of better. Musicality is a 3-year-old going the right way and should be thereabouts. Tranchee is an each-way player off the same mark as last week.
1pt each way – Tranchee – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John