By Carl Harris
The four day St Leger festival is, in my view, a bit short of being top quality. I say that as someone who grew up in South Yorkshire and I thought it was great, but the races are just a bit below the quality we see at York and Goodwood. The St Leger has got better in recent years, having seen some small fields it is about time. Today Doncaster kicks off it’s 2009 St Leger Festival.
Wednesday’s Doncaster Card…
2:00 Wilkinson Frenchgate Nursery Handicap (2yo, Class 3, 7f, 13 runners)
2:35 Sainsbury’s Frenchgate Conditions Stakes (2yo, Class 2, 6f, 9 runners)
3:10 Debenhams Frenchgate Conditions Stakes (3-5yo, Class 2, 1m 2f 60y, 6 runners)
3:45 Dfs Scarbrough Stakes (listed) (2yo+, Class 1, 5f, 10 runners)
4:20 New Look Frenchgate Handicap (3yo, Class 2, 7f, 10 runners)
4:50 Evans Frenchgate Handicap (div 1) (3yo+, Class 4, 5f, 13 runners)
5:25 Evans Frenchgate Handicap (div 2) (3yo+, Class 4, 5f, 13 runners)
Just one pattern race today, the listed Scarbrough Stakes, in which I go for a NAP Bet.
Four Days at Doncaster starts on Wednesday!
3.45 Doncaster- Dandy Man, Win (NAP)
Dandy Man (3.45) tasted victory last time out, having being dropped in grade. For the past two seasons Godolphin ran him in the very best sprint races in which he ran well but just came up short and the message seems to have hit home as we see him out in a listed contest today. In this grade I think he is a very good horse and in the context of today’s race I think he will win readily. Frankie Dettori hardly had to move last time out, such was the ease of his victory, which in fairness was against lesser opposition. That said Peace Offering is no mug who he readily got the better of at Leicester but though this is a tougher task, I see only one winner.
3.10 Doncaster- Twice Over, Win
Twice Over (3.10) runs here after running in the Coral Eclipse, behind Sea The Stars, hailing from the Henry Cecil Yard. I backed many Cecil horses at Doncaster in my youth and did very well in so doing. A substantial drop in grade should be just what the doctor ordered for the Observatory colt who has run at group one level on his last three starts. He should have too much class for the field and my only hope is that we get a decent price. Tom Queally has had a great season and can enjoy another good win aboard Twice Over for Henry Cecil today.
Carl Harris’ Best Bets for Wednesday 9th September
3.10 Doncaster- Twice Over, Win
3.45 Doncaster- Dandy Man, Win (NAP)
