St Leger Festival Day Three Betting Tips: Can Spanish Mission bring the Doncaster Cup home?
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Odds and preview for Friday’s action at Doncaster
It’s Gentleman’s Day on Friday at Doncaster, as the Doncaster Cup takes centre-stage on the penultimate day of the St Leger Festival.
We’ve got seven races on the card, including the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes and the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes.
Before it gets started, we’ve run the rule over the pick of the day’s action.
Doncaster
13:10 British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap
13:40 Mallard Handicap
14:10 bet365 Handicap
14:40 Bombardier Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2)
15:15 Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2)
15:45 Flying Scotsman Stakes (Listed)
16:15 Gary Reid Memorial Maiden Stakes
William Haggas’ Sacred leads the way after finishing second to Miss Amulet in the Lowther last month, though The Lir Jet and Steel Bull will be pushing hard.
The Lir Jet looked like a star in the making during his winning run in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was then second to Ventura Tormenta – who also runs here – in the Prix Robert Papin, before placing in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. He’s dropping back in trip here, which should suit him well.
Steel Bull came seventh in the Phoenix Stakes, though he hit his head in the stalls and broke two teeth. He had won the Molecomb Stakes over this trip at Goodwood, which Coral ambassador Jim Crowley thinks is a much better reflection of his quality.
The Doncaster Cup looks very hard to call, with last year’s winner Stradivarius being saved for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Nayef Road was also a surprise absentee from the final declarations.
That means Spanish Mission could be the one to beat, if he can handle the rise in trip. He had enough to beat Nayef Road last term but had underwhelmed for much of this year. However, the four-year-old may have turned the corner with a Listed victory at Chester last time out.
After winning all six of his starts this year, Sir Mark Prescott’s Revolver takes a big step up here, while Eagles by Day has decent form at Group level.
Wil One Ruler rule them all? He looks a handy prospect, having shaped well behind Etonian on his debut, then going on to win at Sandown among a 16-strong field.
Spycatcher looked very strong when finishing second to Gear Up in the Acomb, and though he’s still a maiden, he looks close to a breakthrough. Laneqash could also pose a threat after his debut win at Ascot.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
