St Leger Festival Preview And Betting Tips - Day Two
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St Leger Festival Preview And Betting Tips - Day Two

It's day two of the St Leger Meeting at Doncaster (1.10pm-4.15pm) on Thursday and things go up a notch. There are Group 2 contests in the shape of the May Hill Stakes (2.10pm) and Park Hill Stakes (3.15pm) for the fillies as well as a valuable Sales races and the return of last year's Classic hero, Logician, in the opener. The Racing Post marks your card with their betting preview and tips for Thursday’s day two action

 


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1.10 - Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Conditions Stakes (1m2f)

There's just a trio of runners for this Conditions race but, nonetheless, a real bonus starting point for day two as we get to see last year's St Leger winner LOGICIAN resume his career. The unbeaten son of Frankel won all five starts last year, culminating in a track record when quickening clear of his would-be Classic rivals for a smooth success here.

He has been absent for a year but John Gosden should have him spot on for this return mission. Assuming he's the same horse that graced this Yorkshire turf last year, he should prove too strong for his older rivals.

They are the Charlie Appleby-trained Mythical Magic and Sir Michael Stoute's contender Zaaki. The latter was a dual Group 3 winner in 2019 at up to 1m1f. He has been well held in three runs this season.

Mythical Magic, meanwhile, landed a Group 2 win (1m) at Meydan in early 2019 and twice finished second in the grade back in Dubai in the spring of this year. He was disappointing in one start at Newmarket in a Listed event back in June (7/2 favourite) and will go beyond the bare mile for the first time.

All things considered, it will be a major upset if Logician isn't best on the day, despite the drop in trip.

Selection: Logician @ SP

Next Best: Zaaki @ SP

 

1.40 - British Stallion Studs EBF 'Carrie Red' Fillies' Nursery (6½f)

Richard Hannon's two-year-olds have typically been getting stronger the longer the season goes on and, despite top-weight, THANK YOU NEXT earns the call in this nursery under Pat Dobbs.

The No Nay Never filly went close in a good nursery at Glorious Goodwood before a determined next-time-out win at Newmarket (7f, good to firm). Since that she was tried in a Group 3 back at Goodwood and ran commendably on ground that was a lot softer than she probably wanted it. The winner Isabella Giles was far too good that day but the Hannon filly was involved in the scrap for minor money and can harbour strong claims with her sights now lowered.

Richard Fahey's Credible is going the right way and should have a say in the finish having beaten a next-time-out winner in opening her account at Hamilton (6f, good to soft) last month. A slight drop in trip should also suit her stablemate Ventura Diamond.

C&D maiden winner Nazuna for in-form trainer Roger Varian is also shortlisted while Sky Angel has an excellent chance after finishing second in a Newmarket fillies' nursery last month over this trip. She had Ventura Diamond behind in fourth, while the second and fifth home both won their next starts.

Selection: Thank You Next @ 12/1

Next Best: Sky Angel @ 7/1

 

2.10 - bet365 May Hill Stakes (Fillies' Group 2, 1m)

Star Of Emaraaty sprung a 66/1 shock in landing the Sweet Solera at Newmarket last month, closing up nicely on the outside to pick off co-favourite Dubai Fountain. There appeared to be no fluke in the win and Mark Johnston's runner-up has since been well held in the same grade at Sandown, giving her plenty to work on now.

Kevin Ryan's winner now comes into this Group 2 as the top-rated performer by way of that success at Headquarters 33 days ago, but can she repeat the dose over this longer trip with expectation levels significantly increased?

She may well need to go deeper into the well this time regardless as there are some talented and unexposed rivals in opposition - including ZABEEL QUEEN and Indigo Girl. Both were first-time-out winners and hail from strong yards.

It is just 11 days since John Gosden's Indigo Girl powered home for a decisive Yarmouth (1m, soft) success under Rab Havlin. She was strong through the line but what the form amounts to remains to be seen. The Dubawi filly also wore a hood (retained) on that first outing and that's a mild concern.

By contrast, Zabeel Queen had to work that bit harder for her Ascot (7f, good to firm) score in late July. Andrea Atzeni had to urge her along for a while but, once the penny dropped, she surged up the rail with a winning run and showed good willingness to go past rivals in doing so. Ultimately, she won with plenty to spare and is looking very much like she will improve upped to a mile.

With her trainer in such fine form and Atzeni a valued ally on this track, she gets the nod to take this step up in class in her stride.

Joseph O'Brien's Ubuntu and recent C&D winner Lilac Road for William Haggas are considered as valid rivals to the selection. The latter posted a good time when turning over a Gosden hotpot and could have a big role to play.

Selection: Zabeel Queen @ 15/8

Next Best: Lilac Road @ 6/1

 

2.40 - Weatherbys Racing Bank 200,000 2-Y-O Stakes (6½f)

The manner in which CAIRN ISLAND rallied to hold off Perotto at York last month bodes well for Kevin Ryan's charge. He's not looked short on speed in winning over 6f in his last two starts but that Knavesmire success left the impression this longer trip will be right up his street and his partner in the saddle Andrea Atzeni knows exactly how to play things around this circuit.

Stablemate Uncle Jumbo isn't excluded with any degree of certainty, while Roger Varian is another trainer with multiple strong chances via Line Of Departure and Dark Lion.

Collinsbay looked the best horse in the race despite finishing second at Ascot (7f, good to firm) in July on his third start. The Royal runner tanked into the race and, perhaps with his time over, Ryan Moore might have held him together a little longer as they gave Star Cactus a target for the final furlong and were headed close home. Still, the runner-up will be more streetwise here and can likely mount a serious challenge in the closing stages of this contest with further progress anticipated.

Selection: Cairn Island @ 9/1

Next Best: Collinsbay @ 11/1

3.15 - bet365 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (Group 2, 1m6½f)

Having improved on a Listed success at Salisbury (1m2f, firm) last month by finishing closest to Love in the Yorkshire Oaks, (1m4f, good) Alpinista will arrive at Doncaster with excellent credentials ahead of the Park Hill Stakes over the St Leger course and distance.

She didn't lay a blow on the impressive York winner but she did pick off a useful sort in One Voice for second spot. This longer trip should be in her favour but this still looks likely to be her toughest assignment thus far in terms of landing the win. Sir Mark Prescott will clearly be hoping there is more to come over this longer distance.

Connections of MONICA SHERIFF will surely have taken lots of encouragement from her reappearance fourth in last month's Ebor at York (1m6f, soft). That was her first run for 301 days and while it ended a five-race winning sequence, it was very encouraging to see her doing her best work at the finish behind the impressive Fujaira Prince.

She's had 19 days to get over that run and William Haggas will be expecting a step forward. Proven over the distance and with conditions no concern, this lightly-raced Lawman filly may well have more to offer and looks ideally placed for this step up in class.

Joseph O'Brien sends over Pista, a daughter of American Pharaoh, that has quickly progressed to be winning at Listed level in Ireland on only her third start. She's got plenty of untapped potential.

Frankie Dettori, meanwhile, partners Snow in the day two feature for Ballydoyle. After a tame showing in the Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood she has something to prove now but it wouldn't be a shock if Aidan O'Brien gets her to rebound.

Roger Varian's Believe In Love has won her last four starts in handicaps and is worth a tilt upped in grade, while Sir Michael Stoute's Vivionn isn't without a chance despite needing to improve for this longer distance.

Selection: Monica Sheriff @ 11/2

Next Best: Snow @ 8/1

 

3.45 - Price Promise At bet365 Handicap (7f)

Having been strongly supported in the market for his handicap bow at York last month, COLD FRONT rather sealed his own fate with a tardy start leaving him out the back. All of his previous form had come when racing prominently, including an impressive Haydock maiden win in July.

Tom Marquand will be determined to get out of the traps alertly this time. The Lope De Vega colt is now fitted with a first-time tongue-tie and gets a second chance to prove his credentials.

The hat-trick-seeking Broughtons Gold is up 4lb in the ratings in a tougher field but remains open to further progress and joins Jumaira Bay on the shortlist for a trainer bidding to win this prize for the third time in four years.

Eastern World is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time here and might well improve for Godolphin. He has shown plenty of ability in both handicaps since gaining success in a maiden at Newmarket in June and it might be that dropping back to this distance is a help for William Buick's mount.

Selection: Cold Front @ 6/1

Next Best: Eastern World @ 11/2

 

4.15 - Jaguar Land Rover Doncaster JCT600 Handicap (6f)

The manner of his Polytrack win at Kempton last month suggests that a 7lb higher mark and the switch to turf won't prevent Fresh from having a leading say in this for James Fanshawe and he's a very obvious danger to all concerned.

Call Me Ginger has shaped nicely on more than one occasion this season and could be one to arrive late in the day with a challenge while it's certainly worth keeping a close eye on Fighting Irish in his first start since joining David O'Meara. He's not won in three years but certainly lurks on the sort of mark from which he will be dangerous if a change of scenery has perked him up.

TENAX looks somewhat unfortunate to only finish third at Beverley (5f, good) last month and Nigel Tinker's charge can be competitive in this strong race back up in distance from the same mark.

This track should suit him and the forecast conditions are ideal, while Faye McManoman's claim will be a help in what is a fiercely competitive finale.

Selection: Tenax @ SP

Next Best: Call Me Ginger @ SP

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