Doncaster St Leger Festival: Mubtasim and Poet’s Word among Thursday tips
Published:
David Metcalf | September 7, 2016
Poet’s Word odds worth a wager
Poet’s Word scored in terrific style last time out, so should make light of a rise in the weights to follow-up in the 1m 2f handicap on day two of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival (16:15).
The Sir Michael Stoute trained colt shaped with plenty of promise in his first two starts before opening his account in good style at Nottingham back in May.
After travelling sweetly on the heels of the leaders, Poet’s Word was produced by jockey Ryan Moore to take up the running a furlong from home, and only had to be driven out to draw clear and beat the now 113-rated Muntahaa by 2 1/4 lengths in a race which has thrown-up a whole host of subsequent winners.
Pattern performer in the making
Poet’s Word went on to finish an excellent fourth on handicap debut at Epsom when looking unsuited by the track and not getting the clearest of runs, before easily landing a competitive 14-runner contest at Goodwood last month.
The three-year-old travelled strongly throughout in the latter before staying on powerfully to win going away at the line by 1 1/4 lengths.
Although now 10lb higher in the weights, a revised rating of 98 should not be beyond Poet’s Word, judged on his victory over Mutahaa, and he looks a potential pattern race performer masquerading as a handicapper.
Mubtasim a bet to bounce back
Mubtasim disappointed last time out, but looks worth another chance to confirm previous promise in the valuable 6f Weatherbys Hamilton 300,000 2-y-o Stakes (15:40).
William Haggas’ colt blew the start completely when eighth of 10 to Blue Point in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York, but was not given a hard time once it was clear he would not be winning.
Prior to that, the son of Arcano had won his first two starts in the manner of a very exciting prospect.
After scoring cosily on debut at Yarmouth, Mubtasim put in a devastating performance when forging clear to beat Town Charter by 4 1/2 lengths at Haydock.
The way in which he quickened smartly to out the race to bed suggested he had a huge engine. Mubtasim remains with potential and is well-treated by the conditions of this race.
Intense Style each-way value in finale
Intense Style looks nicely treated on the pick of his form, so is decent each-way value in the 6f handicap that brings proceedings to a close (18:00).
This Les Eyre trained gelding was last successful over course and distance back in June when landing a class 3 contest by 1/2 a length off a mark of 88.
Intense Style backed that up with a fine third to Hoof It in a class 2 contest at Doncaster off 91, before running a blinder to be third to the thriving Orion’s Bow in the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton.
The form of those races read well in the context of this class 3 contest, and Instense Style is now able to race off a mark just 2lb higher than when last victorious.
It gives the four-year-old every chance from a handicapping perspective in a race which should be run at a strong gallop, and that will play to his strengths.
Doncaster tips for Thursday, September 8th
13.55: Rosabelle
14.30: Blending
15.05: Abingdon
15.40: Mubtasim (NB)
16.15: Poet’s Word (NAP)
16.50: The Anvil
18.00: Intense Style (E/W)
Related
If you’re after more Doncaster tips from the St Leger Festival, check out Coral’s dedicated page inside the horse racing section.
