St Leger Festival 11-14 September Handicap

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 1m 38.77s

(1)

Moqtarreb¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Varian| OR: 85

1/1

One of a couple in this contest making their handicap debut. Second at 50-1 on seasonal return to the exciting Velorum and he is the unknown quantity in this field. Trainer/jockey combo are also operating at a fine level currently.

Form: 05-2

(2)

Artistic Rifles¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: C Hills| OR: 83| CD

11/4

Got off the mark at the first attempt at this trip over C&D two weeks ago. That was probably a better race than this. Although he is slightly more exposed than a few of these, he should take the beating.

Form: 9951-31

(5)

Irreverent³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

7/1

Makes handicap debut today off a mark of 82. Won at the fourth time of asking on seasonal return at Wetherby in April, and now steps up to 1m after racing exclusively at 7f.

Form: 420-1

(4)

Ginger Fox¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 77

5/1

Turned in his best effort to date this season when recently finishing runner-up to the well fancied Migration at Newmarket (1m; good to firm). That was his first run over 1m and he should be involved once more after being raised just 2lb.

Form: 212-402

(3)

Conaglen¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: J D Bethell| OR: 75

16/1

Has finished runner-up and then won on the AW at Newcastle this year. Disappointed on turf again last time though in a good handicap at York (7f; good to firm). Makes debut over 1m today, but can't be trusted until showing more on grass.

Form: 2810

Forecasts

Moqtarreb (1/1), Artistic Rifles (11/4), Ginger Fox (5/1), Irreverent (7/1), Conaglen (16/1)

While the unexposed and well-bred profile of Moqtarreb is very appealing, especially since he is likely to be the one to take out of the race going forward whether he wins or comes second, it seems wise to stick with C&D scorer ARTISTIC RIFLES. He stayed on well over a 1m to pip Brian Epstein by a head at this venue two weeks ago, and that contest looked quite a competitive one at the time. Ginger Fox was beaten just a length by Migration at Newmarket on his first go at this trip and holds each-way claims once again for his trainer who has a 21% strike-rate at Doncaster.