It's Day Three of the St Leger Festival At Doncaster on Saturday 13th September.
Saturday sees the running of the Oldest Classic in the UK, the St Leger with a strong field of 7 going to post for the final Classic of the season with Aidan O'Brien sporting a strong hand. We've gone through all the live races from Doncaster and Chester and picked out our tips and selections for the Afternoon.
Hawksbill 15/2
Put in a good effort behind Sir Paul Ramsey at Haydock over a mile, just being beaten by a nose. The form of that run looking strong with the 4th coming out and winning well since.
Sent to Chester off a revised mark of 97 last time out at Chester, the tight speed favouring track over 7.5 furlongs just caught Hawksbill out for a bit of speed and he settled for a close 2nd.
Only raised 1lbs in the weights for that, he still looks well treated off a mark of 98, back up to a full mile and a straight track, it should play to his strengths more. Can go well again.
Gewan 7/4
Beat what looked a really smart field in the Acomb Stakes at York during the Ebor festival with a brilliant display.
Arrives here a perfect two from two and move up slightly in grade but looks very much the one to beat despite facing softer than good conditions for the first time.
Travels kindly so should sit close to the pace before kicking for home late under P J McDonald.
Hamish 11/10
A valiant old servant for William Haggas, Hamish is now 9 years old but has showed he still retains ability and the desire in the twilight of his career, winning on his only start this season back in June at Goodwood.
Has won at Chester before and has been given a decent break before coming back to the track again.
Faces Military Academy on slightly worse terms but has a nice draw of stall 2 and should handle the course better than his main rival.
Air Force One 6/1
It’s hard not to like the chances of Air Force One at the top of the market as he lines up off the same mark that saw him beaten by only a neck at York 6 days ago.
This intermediate trip of 5.5 furlongs looks absolutely ideal for him and his two recent efforts over the trip at York are Standout pieces of form in the field.
Should be bang in the mix again if handily the quick turn around and carries a lovely low racing weight of 8st9lbs.
Zoffee 8/1
Thrives at this venue and came a very creditable 4th in this race last year, stating on well from the rear but finding the soft ground a little too taxing.
Has only been seen twice this campaign, finishing 3rd in the Chester Cup before a poor showing at Royal Ascot.
Has been given some time off since then but now steps back down in trip and to his favoured venue. Is weighted to run another big race around the Roodee.
Shadow Of Light 7/4
Not everything has gone right for the Charlie Appleby trained 3 year old this season. He looked a smart juvenile last campaign but has failed to really get going this season.
He didn’t quite stay the mile in the 2000 Guineas but ran well to be 3rd before being tried as a sprinter in the Commonwealth Cup when sent off a warm favourite but only managing a poor 5th.
Stepped up in trip to 7 furlongs when last seen and looked more at home but just found the soft ground in France ebbing his stamina away, seeing finish a close 4th. Back on slightly better ground off a break, he’ll go better here.
Carmers 9/2
At the prices and some firms going 3 places on this, it looks a safer option to be siding with Queen’s Vase winner Carmers rather than trying o split the Aidan O’Brien pair at the top of the market.
A winner at the Royal meeting over the St Leger trip back in June, finishing well ahead of Scandinavia, he then finished ahead of Lambourn in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Will relish the return back to 14 furlongs and has finished ahead of both of the market principles already. Can get in the extended frame on offer.
Below we've complied the best bookmaker Free Bet offers for the 4 day St Leger Festival at Doncaster for this week.
Other specific tips available include:
