Doncaster St Leger Festival: Thunder Snow and Rivet appeal in Champagne Stakes
Published:
David Metcalf | September 9, 2016
Thunder Snow to strike in Champagne Stakes
Owners Godolphin have an excellent record in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes and Thunder Snow looks decent value to further enhance it with victory in this year’s renewal of the 7f contest at Doncaster (14:00).
The “Boys in Blue” have won four of the last seven runnings, and Thunder Snow’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor has been responsible for two of those winners – saddling Poet’s Voice to victory in 2009 and Saamidd in 2010.
In Thunder Snow, he has a colt who impressed when making a winning debut at Leicester and has since run two solid races in Group 2 company.
After keeping on nicely to finish sixth of 18 to Caravaggio from a poor draw in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, the son of Helmet ran a blinder to finish runner-up to War Decree in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Form set a clear standard
Thunder Snow raced prominently in the latter and stuck to the task well to go down by 1 3/4 lengths.
The third home Boynton had previously won both his starts, including a Group 2 at Newmarket, in the manner of an exciting prospect and the form sets a clear standard in this contest.
With the stable in good form, and James Doyle in the saddle, this looks a nice opportunity for Thunder Snow to get back on the scoresheet.
Rivet the main danger
Rivet scored in tremendous style last time out and looks a big player for red-hot trainer William Haggas.
The colt shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on debut and showed the benefit of that experience when storming clear to land a 13-runner maiden at York by 3 1/4 lengths.
It was a most taking performance and one which suggested Rivet was an above average performer well worth a crack at this level.
However, what he actually beat is questionable as the fourth home has since come out and flopped in a weak class 5 maiden at Lingfield.
That makes Rivet worth taking on at the odds on offer, for all that he remains an exciting prospect open to any amount of improvement.
Related
There’s more St Leger Festival betting tips on Coral news’ dedicated page.
Coral’s top tip: Thunder Snow has the strongest form in the book, so looks value to turn over Rivet and enhance Goldophin’s excellent record in the race.
