Friday 12th September 2025
ST LEGER FESTIVAL SELECTIONS (DAY 2)
4.45 Doncaster: PEEL PARK – 8/1 (Each-Way) (5 places)
I’ll be waiting until the final two races on day two of the St Leger Meeting for my selections, the first of which is the 4.45, and this is a Class 4 nursery handicap over six furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Peel Park here for the team of Roger Varian and Ray Dawson. He contested some hot novice events before getting his head in front at Yarmouth in comfortable style, beating the well-backed High Approval in the process. I’d be willing to forgive his no-show at York on handicap debut when upped to seven furlongs; he’s dropped back down to six here, and these are calmer waters, as that York outing was a Class 2 event, whereas he’ll contest Class 4 company here. There should be more to come from him, and he’s a decent price here.
5.20: Doncaster: KNEBWORTH – 6/1 (Each-Way) & WOODSTOCK – 8/1 (Each-Way) (5 places)
I’ve got two selections in the finale at Doncaster, which is the 5.20 and a Class 4 handicap that’s contested over six furlongs. The first of my two picks here is the Richard Hughes trained Knebworth, who’s the mount of seven-pound claimer Donagh Murphy. He returned to form last time out at Lingfield, when finishing three-quarters of a length second of nine, and that run came within Class 3 company. He’s been left on the same mark here, which is effectively seven pounds lower given the rider’s claim, and he’s also a pound lower than his last winning mark. He won’t mind soft ground, should it arise, given his last success came on heavy, and I think he looks solid.
I also like the chances of Woodstock here for Ruth Carr, who’s the mount of Warren Fentiman, who takes off three pounds. He’s another who returned to form on his most recent start, as in his case, he finished a head second of twelve at Ripon last month. He’s been raised two pounds for that run; however, Fentiman’s claim negates that and effectively makes him a pound lower here. He remains well-handicapped and below his last winning mark, and I can see him going close again here.
