Simon Holt looks ahead to day three of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, where he's backing Talaayeb to see off Al Jazi in the Sceptre Stakes.
In what looks a sub-standard Group Two Doncaster Cup on Friday, SHEIKHZAYEDROAD is taken to raise his game as he bids to follow-up last year's win in a stronger race.
Unbeaten in two visits to Town Moor and probably best going left handed, David Simcock's eight-year-old emerged best by a nose in a sustained duel with Quest For More 12 months ago and, on official ratings, is the pick of the weights here receiving 3lb from his Lonsdale Cup conqueror Montaly (High Jinx fifth, Thomas Hobson seventh).
It is quite possible that Sheikhzayedroad has lost a yard of speed and that's how it looked on the Knavesmire and earlier in the season when sixth in the Gold Cup and seventh to Stradivarius (Desert Skyline third, She Is No Lady fifth, Pallasator sixth, High Jinx 12th) in the Goodwood Cup, but I am hoping that a return to this course and distance with some ease in the ground could result in an improved effort.
While the penalised Montaly remains in the form of his life this season, and should be thereabouts again, a penalty for his York win could make life tough, in particular a 15lb concession to the three-year-old Desert Skyline.
David Elsworth's three-year-old has run some excellent races this season and, in finishing third at Goodwood and second to Marmelo over a mile and seven furlongs at Deauville last time, he has shaped as if a stiff test of stamina such as this will suit him.
Earlier, TALAAYEB can confirm the most favourable impression of last month's Sky Bet City Of York Stakes victory by following up in the Group Three Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes.
The daughter of Dansili was rated Classic class earlier in the season, finishing a fine fourth behind Winter in the 1000 Guineas only to flop badly on her next start over a mile and a quarter at Newbury.
Given a break subsequently and dropped back to this distance of seven furlongs, she beat 17 rivals at York and showed great determination to hold off experienced older horses Toscanini and Suedois (winner since) in the final strides.
One suspects that there could be further improvement for that run, especially as she may have hit the front plenty early enough that day.
The consistent Eternally and soft-ground loving Tomyris, no match for the smart winner when second and third respectively to Al Jazi in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood last time, look sure to feature prominently again while On Her Toes and Pirouette appear closely matched having fought out a tight finish over a mile at Ascot in late July.
In the William Hill Mallard Handicap, I can't resist a small interest in SEAMOUR who can run off a 2lb lower mark than when beaten by Wall Of Fire in a better renewal 12 months ago.
It is certainly true to say that Brian Ellison's talented handicapper has been below that form this season but the booking of Adam Kirby looks interesting and, as with the Doncaster Cup selection Sheikhzayedroad, perhaps a return to this course might inspire him.
At his best, there is little doubt that Seamour could be very competitive in this company especially considering he has twice been placed in listed company, but he is difficult to win with and must be produced for a late challenge.
