Saturday 14th September 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
St Leger Festival
1.50: Betfred Champagne Stakes: It’s Group 2 action in the Champagne Stakes that gets us underway this Saturday on St Leger Day at Doncaster, over a distance of seven furlongs. I like Wolf Of Badenoch here for the team of Hugo Palmer and Jamie Spencer. He was a winner on debut before finishing an impressive second behind Aomori City in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in July, with that rival likely to be very smart. That’s the best form on offer here and if he runs up to that level again he should be bang there for a yard who have been doing well as of late. Wolf Of Badenoch – 7/2 (Win) (NB)
2.25: Betfred Portland: Next up it’s the extremely competitive Portland Handicap which is contested over five and a half furlongs. This is as tough as it comes from a punting perspective, however, I’ve decided to take a chance on Vintage Clarets for Richard Fahey who’s another ride for Jamie Spencer. He was fifth in the race last year and hasn’t been too far away on his last two outings in competitive handicaps at both Ascot and York. He looks well-handicapped and if he gets some luck in the run can go well off a mark which is a pound lower than his last winning one. Vintage Clarets – 10/1 (Each-Way) (7 places – Sky Bet)
3.00: Betfred Park Stakes: The third race of the afternoon is the Group 2 Park Stakes that’s ridden over seven furlongs. I’m siding with the old boy here in Kinross for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. He’s not actually that old, being a seven-year-old, however, it does feel like he’s been around forever given his already illustrious CV. He’s not quite found his top-level of form so far this term, however, after three runs he should be spot on for this. I don’t think that the opposition is overly strong and if he’s anywhere near his best he should be going very close in a race of this nature. Kinross – 9/4 (Win) (NAP)
3.40: Betfred St Leger Stakes: It’s the big one at 3.40 which is the final classic of the season in the Group 1 St Leger Stakes over a mile and six and a half furlongs. It’s far from a vintage renewal of the contest, however, I’ve come down on Jan Brueghel for Aidan O’Brien and Sean Levey. He’s only had the three starts to date but he’s won all three and gives the impression that there is a considerable amount of improvement still to come from him. His most recent success came when winning the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last month and considering how he kept on that day he should relish this further step up in trip. If he continues to progress, he’s the one for me. Jan Brueghel – 4/1 (Win)
4.15: PJ Towey Construction Handicap: My final selection of the day comes in the 4.15 which is a Class 2 handicap that’s ridden over a mile and two furlongs. This is another competitive affair of which I’m taking a chance on one at a big price, and that comes in the form of Aerion Power for Sir Michael Stoute and Joe Leavy who takes off three pounds. His form is patchy, to say the least, however, he’s got form at this track and will effectively contest this race off a two-pound lower mark than his last winning one taking his rider’s claim into consideration. This also isn’t as deep as the previous handicaps contested and if he returns to his best form he can go well at a nice price. Aerion Power – 12/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Sky Bet, Paddy Power)
