As most of you will know, I am a @unibetracing ambassdor and I will be writing daily blogs during the Doncaster St Leger Fesitval. Below are my thoughts on the horses I have heading to post on Day 2
Nine runners on day two of Doncaster's St Leger meeting including SIX in the valuable Sales Race
1:50 - Nursery
K Club (Tom Marquand)
I think she’ll be much better off in this Nursery rather than the Conditions race at Chester last time where she had to carry a penalty and this track will be more to her liking too. On ratings she is the one they all have to beat and I can see her running a big race on this more conventional course. We’ve done absolutely nothing with her at home since her latest run so she should still be a fresh horse.
2:25 – G2 May Hill Stakes
Star Terms (Andrea Atzeni)
I like this filly a lot and I’m pleased we’ve managed to retain the services of Andrea Atzeni who was on board at Newmarket when she won last time (giving weight). This is obviously a rise in grade but she’s getting better with racing and I think the step up to a mile will bring out even more improvement. She won’t be far away.
Sweet Pearl (Oisin Murphy)
She won nicely in the end at Kempton last time when needing every yard of the trip and I have no doubt, in time, she’ll be even better over further. The ground will be perfect and she’s by no means the stable second string. A fast pace will suit and I can easily see her running a huge race.
3:35 – Weatherbys 2-y-o Sales Stakes
Aim Power (David Egan)
We ran just two in this race last year but are going mob handed with six runners flying the flag for the team. This filly was very unlucky at Goodwood last time when getting boxed in and just couldn’t get out in time but still rallied well to finish third, and she bumped into a smart horse the time before that. We’ve always thought an awful lot of her and she has the right profile to win a race like this and should go very well under David Egan who has ridden her before.
Good Luck Fox (Oisin Murphy)
The likely fast pace will really suit him as he can be quite keen in his races and this sort of contest could really play to his strengths. I was very pleased with his win at Sandown last month and, if getting the trip, he has a massive each way shout in a typically wide-open renewal.
Critical Data (Hollie Doyle)
He’s very experienced and yet to finish out of the money in all seven starts. The step back down in trip won’t be a problem as there will be a good gallop and he’ll definitely be staying on. He’s drawn right against the stand side rail which is sometimes the best place to be and it will be interesting to see how he fares on this good to soft turf, as he’s only raced on faster.
Mordred (James Doyle)
He got the job done at Chester last time and I think that will have helped him mentally. He’s another of mine that wants a decent pace as he stays well and is getting better with racing but giving weight all round won’t be easy.
Dirty Rascal (Tom Marquand)
He’s a tough colt who is yet to finish out of the first two and I really liked his attitude at Windsor last time. It will be hard to dictate again here, and give weight, but he’s very consistent and Tom Marquand knows him well.
Glory (Harry Bentley)
I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see this colt run a decent race under Harry Bentley who has a 36% strike rate for us this season, including winning the Super Sprint on Ginger Nut. This horse is yet to live up to his name but has been knocking at the door and I think he may even improve for any cut in the ground.
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