Saturday 12th September 2026
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday blog, where we continue on at Doncaster with the third day of the St Leger Meeting on Leger Day itself. The first of four bets for me on Saturday runs at 1.45, and this is the Group 2 Champagne Stakes over seven furlongs. I’ve come down on BREACHER here for the team of William Muir & Chris Grassick, who’s the mount of Lewis Edmunds. He’s very highly regarded by his trainer, and posted an impressive effort on debut at Salisbury in June, winning by two and a half lengths. He then took a big step forward to finish a length third of eight in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown last month, keeping to his task well whilst still looking as though he was learning on the job. He should continue to progress, and he could represent a bit of value here. Desert Castle will likely be sent off a short-priced favourite for Charlie Appleby and Billy Loughnane; he won by three and a half lengths on debut at Newmarket last month, and could be very smart for his powerhouse connections.
Selection: Breacher – (7/1) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Desert Castle (Evs)
1.45 Doncaster
Next up is the 2.20, and possibly the most competitive race of the week, in the Portland Handicap, which is a Heritage Handicap over five and a half furlongs. I’m nailing my colours to a horse that comes into the contest in great form, and that’s TWILIGHT CALLS for Richard Spencer and Saffie Osbourne. Saffie is unbeaten on this very likeable eight-year-old, who has found his form again this summer, winning three times from four starts, including a success at Glorious Goodwood last time out. He’s up a further four pounds for that success; however, that’s by no means a career-high mark, and he’s actually won off today’s mark previously. I think that he’s solid, and if he gets some luck in the run, he can be bang on the premises once again.
You could put a whole host of these on the shortlist. Apollo One is very well-handicapped under Silvestre De Sousa; he ran well at York last time out when finishing fourth, and despite not winning for a long time, he can be involved once again at the business end. David O’Meaa’s Toca Madera has knocked at the door a few times this term, including a Goodwood last time out when finishing second; he’s a player again here off the same mark.
Selection: Twilight Calls – (13/2) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Apollo One (7/1), Toca Madera (10/1)
2.20 Doncaster
We’re back up in grade at 2.55 with the Group 2 Betfred Park Stakes, which is contested over seven furlongs. This is my strongest fancy of the day, and it comes in the form of MORE THUNDER, who represents William Haggas and is the mount of Tom Marquand. He was highly progressive last term, winning the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket before taking his form to the next level when winning the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury by over two lengths. He’s yet to get his head in front this term; however, he posted a couple of big efforts in Group 1 company at the start of the season, finishing excellent seconds in both the Lockinge Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes. He perhaps hasn’t seen out the mile in his last two starts, suggesting that this drop back down to seven is what he’s after, and if he’s anywhere near his best, he should take a lot of beating in this.
You’d be foolish to rule Qirat here for Ralph Beckett and Silvestre De Sousa; he got the better of the re-opposing Never So Brave earlier in the campaign at York, and ran a very solid race at Goodwood last time out when finishing second in the Celebration Mile behind the smart Zavateri. That level of form would be enough to make him of interest in this assignment.
Selection: More Thunder – (5/4) (Win) (NAP)
Shortlist: Qirat (13/2)
2.55 Doncaster
The big one comes up at 3.35, which is none other than the final classic of the season in the Group 1 Betfred St Leger Stakes over a mile and six and a half furlongs. It’s probably not a vintage renewal this time around; however, it’s still intriguing nonetheless. I think the race revolves around the front three in the betting, with the latter of the field having a lot to find on official ratings. Of said three, I’m with ENCELADUS for Joseph O’Brien and Billy Loughnane. He’s been a rapid improver this term, winning all three starts, with success in a competitive Royal Ascot handicap on his penultimate start, before taking Group 3 honours at Glorious Goodwood last time out. He kept on strongly that day over a mile and four furlongs, suggesting that this further distance should suit, and his turn of foot could prove deadly at the business end here.
Pierre Bonnard hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this term for Aidan O’Brien; however, he’s posted several good efforts in defeat, including in his last two starts where he’s placed in both the Irish Derby and the Great Voltigeur at York. The step up in trip could unlock further improvement, and he’s likely to be involved again. O’Brien also sends Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day here, and he’s another who’s likely to benefit from the distance. He’s very solid; however, he has a couple of lengths to find with Pierre Bonnard from York.
Selection: Enceladus – (9/4) (Win) (NB)
Shortlist: Pierre Bonnard (10/3), Christmas Day (5/2)
3.35 Doncaster
