Have done a detailed preview of the ST Leger tomorrow at doncaster for anyone who is interested. See at the bottom of this preview for today's other 2 selections.
Doncaster 15:50 Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes (Group 1)
This year's renewal of the final classic race of the season looks an interesting one, where plenty seem to be in with a chance & several have something to prove one way or another. One thing's for sure that come 15:50 Tomorrow, everyone who loves racing will be watching & will have their opinion on who the winner should be. The ever thriving Godolphin team took this race last year with 25/1 shot Encke & they return this year with 3 contenders LIBERTARIAN, SECRET NUMBER & CAP O'RUSHES who will all be aiming to replicate last year's success for the same owners. The O'brien team had to settle for second last year as Odds on favourite Camelot came up short, they saddle LEADING LIGHT who is seeking a 5 timer & FOUNDRY who is ridden by Ryan Moore both are bound to be well supported. Elsewhere John Gosden enters the improving EXCESS KNOWLEDGE who was last seen when a close second in the Gordan Stakes (Group 3). Epsom Oaks winner TALENT is also likely to have her share of supporters despite her disappointing effort last time out in the Irish Oaks. The Consistent GALILEO ROCK may also be one for consideration. All in all this years race looks to have plenty of interesting runners & like so many of the big races could prove a hard nut for punters to crack.
See below for a more detailed look through each of the runners, where i have given each a rating from out of 10.
CAP O'RUSHES - One of the three Godolphin entries, who won the group 3 Gordan stakes at Goodwood at the end of July but then was a disappointing 6th of 7 runners last time out at York over the same trip of 12f in a group 2 event & before those two runs was a Moderate 4th in the Irish Derby so there is no doubt that the horse has some ability at this level & the fact that this colt is entered today suggests that he perhaps does need further to get really competitive. Does have winning form on tomorrow's forecast ground on Good to soft but overall form looks patchy & Looks the stable (C Appelby) second string behind LIBERTARIAN. Overall Rating = 5
EXCESS KNOWLEDGE - This John Gosden trained colt has only had the two runs this season & has performed with promise on both of those. Firstly back in July ran a decent 3rd in a listed event over 10f & last time out finished 2nd behind Cap O'Rushes in the Gordon stakes at Goodwood but was tried at that trip for the first time & the way he ran on well in the final furlong suggests that today's further trip of 15f should suit, that run last time out came on ground good to soft so tomorrow's further easing ground shouldn't pose a problem. James Doyle a very positive booking & will no doubt enhance this colts support in the market. Looks more progressive than some of these & also less exposed, Doesn't look one to dismiss easily.
Overall Rating = 8
FOUNDRY - Comes into this for only his third ever racecourse start & in fairness looks as if he is possibly the O'Brien stable's second string here. Was a very decisive winner of 7f maiden in november last year & was then waited with until racing in a York group 2 event last month where he finished a very respectable 2nd behind the well regarded Telescope. The fact he won his maiden on soft ground is a definite positive & That run last time out showed he is no mug, still unexposed but having said that it looks as though he would have to improve a fair bit for this step up in trip to get seriously involved in this company. Overall Rating = 6
GALILEO ROCK - Shows solid place form at group 1 level & no more so than when finishing 3rd in the Derby at Epsom & then backing that up with a solid second in the Irish Derby behind the very consistent group 1 performer Trading Leather. That run in the Irish Derby looks particularly interesting as he ran on really well that day showing that the step in trip here ought to suit. Has not encountered ground worse than good when running at this level but did win his maiden last year on ground good to soft, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I think if handling the step up in trip as he looks he will & if replicating his recent form at this level could see him be a big player here & looks to have solid place claims. Overall Rating = 9
GREAT HALL - Big step up in class here for this colt who was last seen winning a class 2 handicap at Haydock over 14 furlongs & while that was a decent win he would surely need to improve a lot to compete at this level. Unraced on ground worse than good & all in all looks as though he may be a little out of his depth here. Big outsider & unless dramatic improvement he certainly isn't one for any real confidence.
Overall Rating = 2
HAVANA BEAT - This colt has consistently run at group 2 & 3 level this season so far for Andrew Balding's yard but is yet to really threaten in a race of that type. His best performance to date is probably when finishing 3rd of 8 in a group 3 at Newmarket over 13f & while he ran on well that day which suggest today's step in up trip could see him do better, he looks as though he would have to bring a career best to figure in this one. His Only run so far that came on ground softer than good was last time out which saw him finish last of 7 in the Gordan Stakes at Glorious Goodwood so doesn't look one for maximum confidence.
Overall Rating = 4
LEADING LIGHT - Comes into the race looking for a 5 timer having won the last 4 of his 5 career starts. Looked a decent improver when winning his first attempt at group 3 level at the Curragh back in may over 10f, followed that up nicely when upped to 2 miles with a decent win in another group 3 event at Ascot in June, That win is a real positive when you think about today's trip. Has won on varied ground including heavy so shouldn't be any problems on that front. Certainly looks the sort who could keep improving further & if continuing her ascent this O'Brien trained colt may have enough to get competitive in this company. Will no doubt be popular in the market & not one too dismiss lightly. Overall Rating = 7
LIBERTARIAN - On the facts & figures this colt looks like Godolphins biggest player here & is expected to run well by many. Didn't look himself last time out in the Irish Derby & never figured, but the ground was perhaps too fast for him that day. If he is forgiven that performance his second in the Derby at Epsom looks particularly impressive, he stayed on very well that day which is a good indication that he may be well suited by today's extra 3 furlongs. Before those two runs he did beat the Irish Derby winner Trading leather over 10f at york so there is no doubt that this horse is one of class & deserves his place in this line up. Won his maiden on ground good to soft so should be fine in that respect. If repeating the sort of display he showed in the Epsom Derby then he has the ability to surely go close here. Overall rating = 9
RALSTON ROAD - Has ran three races at group level this season including at group 1 but he has failed to really get involved in any of those & Looks as if he could be outclassed here once again today. He was an average 8th of 15 over 16f at Ascot in the group 3 race that was taken by Leading Light which is probably his best form in relation to today's race. Has run on a variety of grounds but still looks as though he would have to improve by a large quantity to get seriously involved in this. Overall rating = 2
SECRET NUMBER - Has been running in both group 2 & 3 events so far this season & has ran only ok in them in all honesty & his best form has come when he has been raced over in Dubai on the synthetic surface. He did shape a decent third last time out in a group 2 behind the impressive Telescope but didn't do a great deal in behind. The fact that he is entered he probably suggests he may be suited by this trip but in all honesty that is something that is taken without an real hard evidence. Others looks much better off in this one. Overall Rating = 4
TALENT - Was a disappointment last time out when finishing last in the Irish Oaks & never really threatened to get involved, the ground may have been too quick for him that day. Before that run he looked every bit a top class group 1 performer when winning the Epsom oaks in fine style, running on very well that day to suggest that the step up in trip today shouldn't be a problem. That Epsom Oaks win came on ground good to soft which is similar conditions as should be faced for this one so that is a big plus. If putting that poor performance last time behind him & continuing the improvement shown in the Epsom Oaks he could well bounce back a get involved at business end here. Not one to dismiss & could potentially be a good EW bet at likely bigger odds than a few. Overall Rating = 8
CHIRPY'S VERDICT
It really does look an intriguing renewal, with the unexposed sorts of EXCESS KNOWLEDGE & LEADING LIGHT expected to continue their improvement & go well. It could pay though to side with the consistent performer GALILEO ROCK who could be a very good EW bet while the price allows. LIBERTARIAN & TALENT are also two who could have a big say if bouncing back from poor results in Ireland & reproducing their impressive Epsom form.
I have to say that these views are based on my own opinions upon studying the form & watching previous runs. I hope that people find this helpful/interesting & would like to hear any feedback people might have, just write to me on twitter. Should be a good race & GOOD LUCK with whoever you go for.
Saturday's Selections -
Doncaster -
14:05 OUTSTRIP WIN 7/4 = WON
Just a 4 runner group 2 affair to kick things off here on the final day of the Doncaster meeting & in my mind the facts & figures are quite clear. The Grey Gatsby & Treaty of Paris finished 1 & 2 in a recent group 3 affair where as Cable Bay finished 4th of 7 in a group 2 event, leaving the selection OUTSTRIP who was narrowly beaten into 2nd in a group 2 event at glorious goodwood on only his second run & he looks a decent prospect for the thriving Godolphin team. His close second last time out not only came at group 2 level but came on good to soft ground which is significant considering today's forecast ground, in addition this the pair that finished 1 & 2 last time out have not raced on ground worse than good, with the other runner cable bay having run on soft ground last time but failed to land a serious blow. Sometimes races throw out all form & logic by producing something that goes against the facts & figures but hopefully that is not the case in this race here today & i would like to think that OUTSTRIP is capable of continuing his improvement by adding a success at group level to his CV on just his third outing.
Chester -
14:55 CUBANITA 9/2 EW = PLACED (2/8)
Admittedly in this one the favourite Cameron Highland looks a decent prospect & for some he will be hard to get away from, however he has to carry top weight here after a recent success where as CUBANITA sits pretty at the foot of the weights, receiving a handy looking 9lb from the above mentioned early favourite. CUBANITA has shown some impressive form in her only 2 runs this season & looks well treated, Especially when you look at her last run when finishing a very close 3rd at cork over today's trip but in a better race (group 3, today listed class), she stayed on really well that day on soft ground so there should be no problems on that front. Prior to that good performance last time out she was an ok 5th in a group 2 event on good ground over 10f & had she raced the extra two furlongs that day she would have gone closer i'm sure. 12f looks her best trip & this filly looks to be racing under pleasing conditions today all things considered, at a price of 9/2 she looks well worth the EW money & on paper she looks to have the credentials to play a big part in this one.
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