St Leger Festival: Preview and tips for opening day at Doncaster

The four-day Pertemps St Leger Festival gets underway at Doncaster Racecourse on Wednesday with the track set to welcome more than 20,000 spectators throughout the week.
Action from last year's St Leger Festival. Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesAction from last year's St Leger Festival. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Action from last year's St Leger Festival. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

The highlight of the meeting is the final British Classic of the season, the Pertemps St Leger which takes centre-stage on Saturday.

Wednesday’s action features a seven-race card that includes the £50,000 Group Three Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes at 3.15pm. The opening contest is at 1.10pm with the finale at 4.15pm. We have previewed the card with tips and analysis.

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As alluded to, the Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes is the highlight on day one of the St Leger Festival. The seven-furlong event is live on ITV and has attracted a competitive field of 15 runners. Cloak Of Spirits was an excellent second to Love in the 1000 Guineas earlier this summer and was last seen finishing third in Group Three company at Deauville. Royal Ascot winner Onassis recorded a smooth victory in a Listed event at Chantilly and cannot be discounted.

Godolphin’s Althiqa boasts plenty of smart form, including when scoring at Deauville in Listed company in July and looks sure to go close here, whilst Gypsy Whisper is targeting a hat-trick having scored twice over Sandown this summer. Listed scorer Mubtasimah looks sure to be suited by the return to turf and is another to consider along with Jubiloso who was third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, but disappointed on his return to action in the Group Two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal Meeting in June.

A fascinating runner is Bounce The Blues who has her first start for Andrew Balding having won her last two starts in Ireland for John Feane. That included a 20/1 success in a Listed event at Naas and she looks a fascinating runner.

The £30,000 Listed Scarbrough Stakes (2.10pm) is another fascinating event which features nine runners who all have a chance of winning. Moss Gill was an excellent third to Battaash in the Nunthorpe at York last time out and has to head the shortlist.

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However, there are plenty of dangers headed by Acklam Express who is chasing a hat-trick for Nigel Tinkler. He showed a terrific attitude when stepped up to Listed company to win at York last time out and looks an exciting prospect. Dakota Gold captured the Beverley Bullet last month in which both Makanah (fourth) and Tarboosh (fifth) were behind him. Michael Dods’ charge has since finished a good second at York in Listed company last weekend and is of interesting if able to overcome the quick turnaround.

Urban Beat has run a number of fine races in defeat this term, which included a gutsy second at Navan in Listed company last time out. This race could really suit and Frankie Dettori has been booked. However, he may be better suited by softer ground.

Wise Words has his first start of the season, almost a year after scoring at Leicester, but is capable of further progress, whilst Rocket Action looks to back up a good second in Listed company at Deauville on his latest start.

Doncaster Selections:

1.10pm Latest Generation

1.40pm Mayaas

2.10pm Moss Gill

2.40pm Late Arrival

3.15pm Althiqa

3.45pm Derevo

4.15pm Line Of Reason

Tips and analysis via BettingExpert