St Leger Festival: Clondaw Warrior primed for Doncaster Cup battle
Published:
David Metcalf | Updated September 9, 2016
2016 Doncaster Cup tips: Clondaw Warrior to deliver
Top Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins does well with his stayers on the level, so Clondaw Warrior looks to hold major claims of providing him with another big race winner in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup (15:40).
The nine-year-old won the Ascot Stakes last season before going on to finish a fine 3/4 length runner-up to Pallasator in this contest.
Clondaw Warrior comes into this year’s renewal on the back of two excellent efforts, finishing third in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot before finding only Da Big Hoss 1 3/4 lengths too good in the American St Leger at Arlington.
Those efforts suggests he is as good as ever and, with Ryan Moore in the saddle, the gelding looks the one to beat.
St Michel not to be underestimated
St Michel has an ultra-progressive profile and is a fascinating contender, especially since Mizzou withdrew from the Doncaster Cup on Thursday.
The three-year-old is a typical improver from the Sir Mark Prescott yard, who has now won four of his last seven starts, finishing runner-up on the other occasions.
In the last of those at Goodwood, he travelled powerfully throughout before wandering when hitting the front and rallying strongly to beat Oreintal Fox by 1 1/2 lengths.
St Michel was value for much more than the winning margin, and it looks significant that Prescott has decided to pitch the son of Sea The Stars into Group company rather than stick to handicaps as he is not a handler that goes tilting at windmills.
Quest For More sure to go well
Quest For More scored in good style last time out and looks sure to make a bold bid to follow-up.
The gelding progressed well throughout last season, landing the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle before running a blinder to finish a neck runner-up in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup.
Roger Charlton’s six-year-old also ran well to finish sixth in this year’s renewal of the latter before beating Pallasator in emphatic fashion in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York three weeks ago.
Quest For More was given an enterprising front running ride by George Baker and found plenty at the business end of affairs to score by 3 1/2 lengths.
That form reads well in the context of this contest, and makes Quest For More a leading candidate if once gain allowed an easy lead.
Related
If it’s more betting opportunities from the St Leger Festival you’re after, then check out Coral’s Doncaster horse racing page.
Coral’s top tip: Clondaw Warrior looks worth a wager to go one better than last year and land the spoils under Ryan Moore. Quest For More and St Michel are feared most.
