Horse Racing: Doncaster, Chester & Leopardstown preview - Saturday

Day 4 of the Doncaster festival with the highlight on the card being the last of the English classics, the St Leger at 3.35.

Saturday also sees competitive action from Chester and over in Ireland, we have the Group 1 Irish Champion stakes at Leopardstown.

Doncaster

13:50
7f Champagne Stakes (Group 2)

Unbeaten in 2 starts Chindit looks to hold obvious claims once more. The Richard Hannon trained runner was a ready winner of listed event at Ascot 49 back in July and that form looks rock solid with the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th all winning next time.

Jim Crowley prefers Albasheer over Mujbar from the Al Maktoum runners and it`s no surprise really following the former’s impressive debut victory. That ready 6 ½ length success was here over CD and with more likely to come he looks to hold every chance in this much stronger event.

Saint Lawrence finished behind Chindit at Ascot and despite winning a listed event since under a change of tactics he potentially lacks the scope for further improvement of the market leaders.

Selection: Chindit

14.25
5 1/2f Portland Handicap (Class 2)

Previous winner in 2018 A Momentofmadness also went close in the race last year when finishing 2^nd. He’s now down to a mark 4lbs below what he raced of last year and after a couple of below-par efforts this season there was much more to like about his 3^rd place finish at the Goodwood Festival.

Soldiers Minute looks to hold obvious claims and rarely runs a bad race in these handicaps but that does make him tough to win with. Danzeno didn`t have much in luck in running last time York and is another to consider in a wide-open event.

Selection: A Momentofmadness (Each Way)

15.00
7f Park Stakes (Group 2)

Despite his advancing years, Limato proved he had plenty to offer still at the top level when successful in a Group 3 at Newmarket last time. That race did play to his strengths though and he could just be vulnerable giving weight all around in this stronger looking race.

One Master didn’t really have the run of the race when going off a short price favourite for a Group 2 at York. The William Haggas trained runner is probably better assed on his earlier efforts this season when not being beaten far in couple of group 1s and when successful at Goodwood in a lower grade.

Aidan O’Brien is represented by Wichita. The 3-year old receives weight from all his rivals despite being top rated on official figures. This 7f trip could just be what he’s been waiting for after struggling to get home over a mile before being outpaced over 6f on his 2 recent starts.

A reproduction of his early-season form when finishing 2^nd in the Guineas will make him hard to beat on these terms.

Selection: Wichita (Next Best)

15.35
1m 6f St Leger Stakes (Group 1)

Hukum looked more than ready for the step up to this level when a comfortable winner of the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer stakes on his latest start. The Owen Burrows runner looks the one open to most improvement still and looks a leading contender.

Pyledriver was successful at both Royal Ascot and the York Ebor meeting both those efforts give him leading claims but he has to prove himself over a trip this far and can travel strongly in his races.

Galileo Chrome is unbeaten this season in 3 starts and looks but that last success whilst impressive was only a listed event and needs to progress once more.

Santiago has taken his form to another level since being stepped up in distance winning both the Queens Vase and Irish Derby. He tried to put it up to Stradivarius last time in the Goodwood Cup and just was wanted for stamina in the final stages so the drop to the St Leger trip should be perfect.

Frankie Dettori takes the mount on this occasion and he is taken to give trainer Aidan O`Brien his 7^th victory in the race.

Selection: Santiago (NAP)

Chester

14.05
1m 4f Stand Cup Stakes (Listed)

This looks a good opportunity for the consistent Alignak to get back to winning ways. He should find this easier than the group 3 contest he ran well in last time and conditions also look more suitable on this occasion.

Hereby is 2 from 3 here at Chester and she has the potential to get her own way on the front end. That improves her chances but is more than likely to find something too strong at this level. Morando and Universal Order are 2 others to consider in a trappy event.

Selection: Alignak

14.40
1m 2f Handicap (Class 2)

Andrew Balding`s handicap runners always have to be respected here at Chester and Be More looks to hold good claims at what looks a fair price.

The previous course winner wasn’t seen at her best at Goodwood recently but that effort can easily be forgiven she is given another chance over this trip.

Prejudice looks the main danger based on his 2^nd place finish to a subsequent group winner at Newcastle last time.

Selection: Be More

Leopardstown

16.10
Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

It looks hard to oppose triple group 1 winner Ghaiyyath here. The Charlie Appleby runner had Magical well held in the International stakes at York and had previously had the measure of another of the O’Brien runners Japan at Sandown.

French raider Sottsass looks an interesting runner on the best of his group 1 winning form.

Selection: Ghaiyyath