Man On The Spot: Doncaster day one | St Leger meeting free betting preview & tips
Man On The Spot marks your card for day one of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and in turn the free-to-play Sporting Life Pick 7.
2.20 - Irish Stallion Farms EBF Conditions Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 2)
A disappointing turnout for what is a quite valuable prize. The tough Demons Rock has won his last four and will probably start favourite. He had John Kirkup almost five lengths behind last time at York on the same terms but that only tells half the story. Michael Dods’ charge was hampered leaving the stalls and trapped behind a wall of horses at the furlong pole when full of running. This is a stiffer test and genuine soft ground can be a real leveller so it’s not impossible that the form will be reversed. SHABAABY is the least exposed of these and bolted up in soft going at Newmarket last month. He’d finished third behind a couple of subsequent Group 3 winners on his debut at Salisbury and looks a nice prospect. Beatbox Rhythm had every chance at this trip in the Acomb at York so is no forlorn hope.
2.50 - Owlerton Greyhound Stadium Nursery (Class 2)
Crownthorpe has been hit with an 11lb rise for winning easily at Sandown but should still confirm that form with fourth Lethal Lunch as he’s improved for the step up to 7f. The former’s trainer also has Guzman and Inviolable Spirit entered while Richard Hannon runs the hat-trick seeking Rum Runner and Toomer, who could be on a fair mark. Ventura Knight rattled up a hat-trick in June and July but has not been in the same form in his last two starts and Silvestre De Sousa deserts him here in favour of NOBLEMAN’S NEST. Simon Crisford’s colt was unlucky here on debut but made no mistake next time at Newmarket. He was much too keen when well beaten in the Gimcrack at York on his latest start but may be able to get back on track today.
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3.20 - Pepsi Max Scarbrough Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)
Forecast conditions have again taken their toll on the line-up for this Listed race which has been won by some smart sprinters in recent years. Final Venture finished ahead of stable companion Desert Law and Go On Go On Go On when a staying-on second in the Beverley Bullet 11 days ago but, on a line through Desert Law, may struggle to hold off the mare THESME. Though she’s unproven on ground this soft, Nigel Tinkler’s five-year-old was second in this last year on good to soft. Frankie Dettori (pictured) takes the ride. Encore d'Or is hard to fancy on these terms while though three-year-olds have won this in the last three years, Adam Kirby prefers Go On Go On Go On to maiden winner Razzmatazz.
3.50 - Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes (Str) (Class 5)
This is restricted to horses rated 70 or lower and doesn’t tend to attract progressive sorts. The market is a good guide, however, with only previous winner starting at double-figure odds. Recent activity in the saddle is definitely a plus and Brian Harding was still race-riding over jumps last winter. He rides OFF ART for Tim Easterby, who has won on the straight course here in the past. He also went close last time at Redcar having tumbled 15lb down the handicap in the last 12 months. Jamie Mackay’s mount Poetic Force was just beaten last time at Salisbury and looks the pick of the three-year-olds, though has yet to win on Turf. Thello hasn’t raced over a trip this short in more than two year’s however, and Haraz is now 0-25. Character Onesie has just crept into the race having been dropped another pound since his latest run at Epsom but he’s hard to win with.
4.20 - William Hill Get The App On Google Play Handicap (Class 2)
LAHORE (NAP) was given plenty to do when sent to Deauville for a Group 3, where he lost his unbeaten record. This will be his first run beyond 6f but his dam won a Group 1 over a mile in Italy and he’s by a sire whose progeny tend to improve with experience so the trip shouldn’t be a problem and he could be well treated on a mark of 87. Night Circus only found one too good on his belated reappearance at Newmarket and Hyde Park arrives off the back of a win at Yarmouth, though soft ground would be a worry. Bengal Lancer is improving fast but Important Mission has been doing his winning on Polytrack. Six Strings has been running well against older horses so is preferred to Pillar Of Society and High Acclaim of the remainder.
4.50 - Sports ID - Strength In Sport Conditions Stakes (Class 2)
Another small field but all five runners probably have some sort of chance. Mirage Dancer won here on debut last year and has been taking on top-flight opposition this season. He was third in the Great Voltigeur at York last month and should appreciate the drop back to 1m2f. Best Of Days won the Royal Lodge last year but has struggled in the main this season. Mount Logan is a consistent sort in Listed grade and won this last year but there are going concerns this time, though he was ahead of Red Verdon when third at Newmarket in July. SUMBAL is the only one guaranteed to relish the soft going. He hasn’t raced in almost a year but is a genuine Group 2 performer at his best so it may be worth taking a gamble on his fitness.
5.20 - 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Handicap (Class 4)
MUATADEL is in peak form having only gone down by half-a-length off his new mark at Ripon last week. He’s already won twice here this year, including on soft ground, and may be the one to beat again. Discreet Hero won on soft going at Yarmouth last month so is a likely danger while Venturous is finally been shown some mercy by the handicapper and is eased in grade. Fumbo Jumbo has place claims again but patience has worn thin with Bogart and this is a better race than the one won by Penny Dreadful at Catterick when Foxtrot Knight, Crosse Fire and Bronze Beau were behind. Suwaan may also struggle in this grade but Somewhere Secret makes a quick reappearance after a better run in the mud at Haydock last Friday.
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