It’s St Leger day at Doncaster where the exciting Logican looks the one to beat. Elsewhere on the card Amomentofmadness bids for a second Portland Handicap off a four-pound lower mark, Shine So Bright looks the one to beat in the Park Stakes and Threat is the class act in the Champagne Stakes.
Doncaster
Portland Handicap
Bielsa has won all three starts by a combined 1 length and this can often be the sign of a good horse that just does enough. Kevin Ryan does well with his handicappers and a mark of 92 could be lenient.
Declan Carroll’s Justanotherbottle landed a deserved victory when last in action and although he’s been placed off two-pounds higher I think he’ll struggle to win of his revised mark.
Amomentofmadness took this contest twelve months ago off a four-pound higher mark. Obviously, he hasn’t been in this same form this campaign but showed plenty spark at York and with William Buick back in the plate, he may land back to back Portland’s.
Of the remainder, it’s noteworthy that “crack” apprentice Kieren Fallon rides the lightly-raced Oxted. He was sixth in the Hackwood and ran a fine race in a competitive handicap at Newmarket. He’s a very progressive type and must enter calculations.
Selection: Amomentofmadness
Park Stakes
Shine So Bright and James Doyle wins from Laurens at York
Shine So Bright heads the market for this Group 2 contest after beating the ever-popular Laurens in the City of York Stakes on his first run after a break. That’s the best form on offer and should be up to taking this.
The very-lightly raced Turjomaan has won three of his four starts although he was disqualified after his first victory. His only defeat proper came in a Group 3 at Goodwood behind Duke of Hazzard. I think he’ll run well here but may not be good enough to trouble Shine So Bright.
The likeable Sir Dancealot won the Lennox earlier in the season and this previous course and distance winner shouldn’t be underestimated for a yard beginning to hit some form.
Selection: Shine So Bright
Champagne Stakes
Just the five here and it can be trimmed down to three with live chances of winning. The one they all need to beat on form is Threat. He was well fancied at Royal Ascot and came up just short behind Arizona in the Coventry. He followed this up with a runner-up finish in the Richmond and deservedly won the Gimcrack last time out. this is to drawer form and should win.
The well-bred Juan Elcano won on debut and then just lost out in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in July. we haven’t seen him since and I think he’ll improve for the run.
The once-raced Royal Crusade won nicely on debut at Newmarket and is obviously open to lots of improvement so could be anything.
Selection: Threat
Sir Ron Priestley winning at Haydock in July 2019
St Leger Stakes
The unbeaten Logician only had his first run in May but has progressed quickly from winning his maiden to staying on strongly to take the Great Voltigeur. He’s a classy sort and is the one they all need to beat.
Sir Dragonet has always been talked out as a Leger horse, especially after running away with the Chester Vase. He’s Derby fifth reads well but was disappointing in the Royal Whip at the Curragh. He needs to put that run behind him but has good form.
Mark Johnston’s Sir Ron Priestley continues to win and although he’s got 8-pounds to fins with the principals, you never know what might happen in the last classic of the season.
Selection: Sir Ron Priestley – E/W
Chester
Stand Cup Stakes
Only six-pounds separate the five runners on ratings but the race would appear to be between Ben Vrackie and Manuela De Vega. John Gosden’s Ben Vrackie has to give the bones of a stone away to his closest rival which could prove tough even though he ran very well to finish seventh in the Ebor last time out.
Manuela De Vega brings strong Group form into the race and with the drop in class and weight allowance, I think he can win this contest.
Of the others, the Queen’s Sextant shouldn’t be underestimated but needs to improve.
Selection: Manuela De Vega
Chelmsford
Elsenham Handicap
This is a very open handicap with any number of these holding leading claims. The recent course and distance winning War Glory just shades favouritism and off just a three-pound higher mark he should go close in a bid for back to back victories.
Firmament wasn’t beaten far behind War Glory last time out and off one-pound lower he should run well again.
Another with strong claims is Piece Of History for the Godolphin team. He wasn’t seen much racing but off a career-low mark, he could spring a surprise.
Zap may be one of the outsiders but he’s starting to look like a well-handicapped horse and will be better for this drop back in trip
Selection: Zap – E/W
