Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle previews the final day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster - live on Sky Sports Racing – alongside top-quality action on Champions’ Weekend at The Curragh. I've made no secret of my admiration for FORTY YEARS ON who can make an instant impact in Pattern company when she contests the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday, the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes (3.05). George Scott, who won Friday's Doncaster Cup with Caballo De Mar, has found a great opportunity for this most progressive daughter of Mayson who was much too good for her rivals in a valuable handicap at Goodwood last month.
She enjoys ease underfoot and can win for the sixth time in eight starts at the possible expense of Shadwell's Touleen, who brings solid Group One form to the race after her luckless run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She did look a bit awkward in the Valiant Stakes last time so the cheekpieces may just sharpen her focus, while Planet Seeker looks over-priced on the strength of her York form and her creditable fourth in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at The Goodwood Festival. It's hard to fault SAY WHAT YOU SEE in the Betfred Mallard Handicap (3.40) on Sunday following a string of rock-solid races for his trainer Liam Bailey this year.
He built on a near miss at Southwell with an eye-catching run at York's Ebor Festival, staying on from a long way back to finish a closing third over 12 furlongs and should appreciate this longer trip. There's probably a nice race in Godolphin's Valedictory who was a little one-paced over two miles at York last time, having looked the real deal earlier in the season with back-to-back wins at Goodwood and Newmarket. He has something to prove off his current mark, however.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player I like George Boughey's lightly raced ASUKA in the Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' Handicap (1.55) on Sunday's Doncaster card. Dropping back to six furlongs on such a big galloping track shouldn't be an issue for the Night Of Thunder gelding who confirmed himself in top form over further at Chester last time when a poor draw and an interrupted run put paid to his chances. George has a strong hand in the race with stable mate Oliver Show also bringing some strong form to the table.
His run behind subsequent winner Inspired at Goodwood last time reads well and the first-time visor is an interesting angle. I'm looking forward to seeing LANGSTONE back on an easier surface in the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap (2.30) on Sunday. Clive Cox's three-year-old broke his maiden over course and distance in the spring before following up on the All-Weather but didn't enjoy the fast ground in the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
He hasn't been seen in public since so he arrives on Town Moor much fresher than his rivals and remains well treated off a slightly reduced mark of 92. Zooming should also appreciate a more sympathetic surface for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn. She has been highly tried this year and drops into handicap company for the first time off what looks a workable mark of 94.
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