Oli Bell previews Saturday's feature races and takes Crystal Ocean to give Sir Michael Stoute another St Leger triumph.
Bell's Best Bets:
I’m really looking forward to another Classic weekend on ITV, with a new start time for The Opening Show ahead of live action from Doncaster and Chester.
I’ll be joined in the studio by Francesca Cumani, Jason Weaver and Matt Chapman from 9.30am on ITV4 before the afternoon’s coverage starts on ITV’s main channel at 1.30pm.
The St Leger is the fifth and final Classic of the summer and this year’s looks to be a really good renewal, with five or six live chances.
Lots of connections will be going to Doncaster hopeful of winning the prestigious race that rounds off what has been a memorable summer for ITV.
But who am I backing for glory in our seven televised races? Take a look at who I’m tipping, as well as a runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3 forecast for the afternoon’s showcase:
1350 Doncaster, William Hill Portland Stakes, 5f 143yds
I’m going big early this week, with my bet of the week in the opening race. I really like the look of Hakam and I thought he ran well at Ascot last time out when he was just touched off by Lightning Charlie. He finished ahead of the talented Jordan Sport on that day in July, in what was a very impressive performance and an excellent piece of form.
Trainer Michael Appleby is trying cheekpieces with Hakam for the first time, which will hopefully switch him on earlier, while Lewis Edmunds is a talented young rider and takes off a valuable three pounds.
People may argue that the conditions could easily change before Saturday, but the rain hasn’t arrived just yet. If it really does belt down, slow ground would make the race a bit of an unknown. However, the first few days haven’t been overly-taxing.
The weather gods have been kind to Hakam in the run up and I think he’s an excellent each way bet. Keep an eye on Captain Colby who won this race last year, but hasn’t shown a lot this season. It wouldn’t be too big a surprise if he bounces back at a course he likes.
1405 Chester, 32Red.com Casino Nursery Handicap, 5f 15yds
I think that Porchy Party from stall one has an excellent draw, has early pace and will be able to get a flyer. Mark Johnston’s Viscount Loftus alongside him could be the best placed to get the better of him and has won twice from his three starts. However, Porchy Party is worth backing each way and should go pretty close.
1425 Doncaster, Alan Wood Plumbing and Heating Park Stakes, 7f 6y
I’m going for Aclaim in this one, who is likely to head the market for good reason. He brings Group One form into the race, having finished second to Brando in the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last month.
Home Of The Brave makes a convincing case, but I don’t think the front runner will get an easy time up top with Spirit Of Valor also in the field. Although Hugo Palmer’s five-year-old ran really well last time out at Goodwood, finishing second to Saturday’s familiar rival Breton Rock, he will be pestered for the lead here and that will hamper his chances to a point.
Home Of The Brave has the talent to reverse the form and finish ahead of Breton Rock, but I don’t think he will have quite enough to beat the impressive Aclaim.
1440 Chester, 32Red.com Stand Cup Stakes, 1m 4f 63yds
Duretto will be very hard to beat in this one. He finished third behind Western Hymn and US Army Ranger in May’s Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes in his only run of the year so far. For all that he hasn’t been seen since May – which could be a worry – Andrew Balding’s horses are running well, demonstrated by a nice win at Kempton this week with Munstead Star. Ultimately, Duretto is the best horse in the race.
1500 Doncaster, Howcroft Industrial Supplies Champagne Stakes, 7f 6yds
My second best bet of the day is Dream Today, who I thought was really impressive when winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at York last month – a race that’s worth following. He beat 16 rivals that day, passing the post one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Gabr in second. It was a very professional display and that form was franked by third-placed Laugh A Minute winning at Doncaster on Thursday.
Oisin Murphy’s mount has already been well-backed this week, probably on the back of that York form being boosted. Red Mist just failed to beat rival Hey Garman in August and should reverse that here, but looks like he has got a bit to learn.
Dream Today might just be more professional. You would expect him to improve further, so is there more to come from him? The way he won a race that is always good to follow makes him an attractive bet.
Charlie Appleby’s Mythical Magic has won twice already, so you have to respect him. But when you’re dealing with good young horses, Dream Today offers the best value for me in this.
1515 Chester, 32Red.com Handicap, 7f 127yds
I think Ice Slice is worth an each-way bet in our final trip of the day from Chester. It’s a good little race, Ice Slice has won over course and distance and is reasonably well-berthed in stall six. James Eustace had a win earlier in the week thanks to Buskin River at Brighton and Ice Slice is a likeable horse with a good attitude. The six-year-old will be pitching in there and will hopefully give you a run for your money.
1535 Doncaster, The William Hill St Leger Stakes, 1m 6f 115yds
Runner-By-Runner: (Sky Bet are paying FOUR places in the St Leger)
1. Capri. Winning the Irish Derby and beating Cracksman is impressive form to bring to the race, but it’s possible he was flattered by that victory. It looks as if the step up in trip will suit.
2. Count Octave. Has a bit to find to genuinely challenge in this, but has shown steady progression this season.
3. Crystal Ocean. An emphatic winner at Goodwood in the Gordon Stakes, but will he stay? If he does, he will be a big player and hard to beat.
4. Defoe. Roger Varian’s three-year-old has had a really progressive year having been winning handicaps off a rating of 88 at the start of the season. He looked good at Newbury last time out, but how strong is that form?
5. Douglas Macarthur. He was fourth last time out in York’s Great Voltigeur and that form needs to be dramatically improved on. There’s a question mark over stamina.
6. Raheen House. This will be a first ride in the St Leger for Adam Kirby and he’s got a decent enough chance following his horse’s success last time out at Newmarket. However, Brian Meehan’s hope may lack the class of some of the others.
7. Rekindling. He ran really well under a penalty behind Order Of St George at the Curragh in August so underestimate him at your peril.
8. Stradivarius. The mount of James Doyle as Frankie Dettori has chosen stablemate Coronet, which may tell its own story. This horse ran well at Goodwood, beating Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup so brings Group One form into this race.
9. The Anvil. Likely to make this a stamina test, but hard to see him lasting in there at the finish.
10. Venice Beach. He ran okay last time out when second to Cracksman at York, but probably hasn’t quite built on his early season promise and needs to improve.
11. Coronet. Frankie has chosen to ride her and she gave Enable something to think about in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks last month. Clearly a big player.
Verdict: I’m of the opinion that CRYSTAL OCEAN will stay and therefore I think he’s the most likely winner of this year’s St Leger. Rekindling has been underestimated and can chase him home. I thought that run behind Order Of St George was very good. I’m going with Coronet in third as Frankie has chosen her and we have to respect that.