Doncaster Saturday Preview

Udontdodou - 12/1

The first race of the day is the William Hill Portland Handicap, a tricky race to kick off St Leger day, but UDONTDODOU can be the one to beat.

He returned to winning ways at Windsor last time out, when he beat Silent Echo by a neck. Often held up for a late run, he also beat Open Wide and Dougan who he comes up again here.

Has won seven times from 24 starts and can hopefully build on his success in the Sky Bet Windsor Sprint Series Finale. Has great raw pace and the drop back to 5f should be no problem for Richard Guest’s gelding. Good chance.

Mustashry - 14/1

The second race of the day is the Alan Wood Plumbing and Heating Park Stakes, a Group 2 contest over 7 furlongs.

MUSTASHRY was only beaten half-a-length by the seriously consistent Lord Glitters at York last month. Leading in the final furlong, he found nothing in the final 100 yards when headed, so the drop back to 7f should bring him back to his best.

In-form Jim Crowley won in these colours in Wednesday’s opener, and should go close once more.

Too Darn Hot - 1/2

TOO DARN HOT can prove too darn good for them in the third race of the day – the Champagne Stakes, another Group 2 over 7 furlongs.

This seriously contested Class 1 event has some great depth, with Goodwood winner Dark Vision and York victor Phoenix of Spain also entered. But, John Gosden’s 2yo looks a class apart and is already a short price for next year’s Derby. He won 1m maiden at Sandown on debut and followed that up in the Solario stakes.

He sets the standard with an RPR of 132. Dark Vision – recently purchased by Godolphin ran on really well to win the Vintage at Glorious Goodwood, but may find the favourite just a little too good.

Kew Gardens - 9/4

KEW GARDENS spearheads a five strong team from Aiden O’Brien’s yard. With all the attributes of a St Leger type, he comes into this race off the back of a good 3rd in the Great Voltigeur at York’s Ebor Festival.

Prior to that, he won the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris and the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot in good style, and will be hard to beat with Ballydoyle looking to dominate the field.

He is high class, and will surely serve it up to the favourite, Lah Ti Dar. 

Indian Viceroy

After the celebrations are over for the St Leger victor, the fifth race of the day is a Nursery handicap.

A small field go to post, and INDIAN VICEROY can complete a hat-trick of wins. Hughie Morrison’s 2yo colt, handled a tough track at Epsom last time out when beating Richard Hannon trained Water Diviner by ½ length in another small field.

Son of Kodiac, he gets 6lbs from Mark Johnston’s The Trader, and will surely be in the mix. William Buick – who rides Old Persian in the big one, takes the ride here.

Ostilio

Simon Crisford is enjoying a great season, and he can strike here with OSTILIO in the P J Towey Construction Ltd Handicap. This 3yo colt has been mightily successful this campaign with a Royal Ascot win to his name (Britannia).

He just fell short at Glorious Goodwood last time, but can return to winning ways in this mile contest. Conditions no problem, and has Doncaster magician Andrea Atzeni in the saddle.

Dubawi Prince

The St Leger festival closes with the Cliff Stud Rearing Winners Handicap, and lightly-raced DUBAWI PRINCE can continue his fine improvement this season.

At the foot of the weights, Roger Varian’s 4yo son of Dubawi is already a course winner which could prove decisive. He returned from a long absence when winning at Newmarket last month over this distance, and has good form claims in the book. Should go close in another small field.