It’s an incredible weekend of racing in England, Ireland and France. Doncaster hosts the final Classic of the season, the Betfred St Leger, on Saturday while the Irish Champions Festival – over two days at Leopardstown and The Curragh – sees Group One action come thick and fast.
At Longchamp on Sunday, meanwhile, the trials are being staged for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
After a fruitful summer with winners at Glorious Goodwood and York, we have asked our lead columnist ED CHAMBERLIN, STEVE RYDER (Robin Goodfellow), CHRIS BAKER (Wizard of Odds) and racing correspondent DOMINIC KING to come up with their best selections.
FRIDAY
KING: This is the warm-up, gentlemen. No messing about! Give me your naps, please.
CHAMBERLIN: You’re in some mood! I’ll do as I’m told: I’m going to shock you and pick one at my local course. TABITI (355, Salisbury) will win oblige in the rearranged Dick Poole Fillies Stakes.
Doncaster Racecourse hosts the final Classic of the season, the Betfred St Leger, on Saturday
Magnum Force is expected to catch the eye in Doncaster on Friday after impressing in York
RYDER: I’m going with MAGNUM FORCE (Doncaster, 300); Trained in Ireland by Ger Lyons and will be ridden Colin Keane, they are a combination to respect. He caught the eye when a neck second at York last month despite being drawn on the wrong side of the track.
BAKER: Since finishing a close second in this race last year, the admirably consistent SWEET WILLIAM (Doncaster, 335) has recorded form figures of 33132 and is yet to finish out of the first three in his eleven starts to date. He deserves to win a big race.
KING: The horse I’m sure we all want to see come home first is Jonquil (Doncaster, 225) for the soon to be retired Sir Michael Stoute but I’m most keen on DILIGENTLY (Doncaster, 520) who won a big pot at the Ebor Festival for trainer Clive Cox. He’s very good.
SATURDAY
KING: If a certain Danish brewer did race programming… How good is the action? I actually wish I could clone myself so I could be in two places at once.
CHAMBERLIN: Two Dominic Kings? What a terrifying thought that would be!
KING: Double the fun, double the winners. I’m going straight in with ECONOMICS (325 Leopardstown). William Haggas’s nerves have been bubbling for a week. He’s loved this horse all season and we will see why in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Ed Chamberlin is fascinated by the inclusion of You Got to Me’s at the Betfred St Lager
CHAMBERLIN: What a result that would be. I’m concentrating on Doncaster for Saturday. I have a strong feeling for VINTAGE CLARETS in the Portland Handicap but it sounds like I’m about to be met by firm opposition!
BAKER: SHAGRAAN (Doncaster, 225) has been in fine form and won in good style at Haydock. At a bigger price, the consistent APOLLO ONE looks a good each-way bet, with the booking of jockey Christophe Soumillon catching the eye.
RYDER: I’m keeping it simple. JANCIS (LEOPARDSTOWN, 250) is an unbeaten filly who has stayed on strongly over 7f at the track shaping like this step up to a mile in a cracking edition of the Matron Stakes will suit.
CHAMBERLIN: What do we think about the Betfred St Leger? YOU GOT TO ME’s inclusion (Doncaster, 335) has added a fascinating dynamic to it all.
RYDER: It has but I like ILLINOIS. He won on his only start over 1m6f at Royal Ascot in the Queen’s Vase, finished a neck behind his classy stablemate Los Angeles in the Great Voltiguer last month and will appreciate the step back up in trip.
BAKER: The unbeaten JAN BRUEGHEL, winner of the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time out, is the one for me. He is sure to be suited by another step up in trip, can land an eighth St Leger for master trainer Aidan O’Brien.
KING: Great minds think alike, Chris. I’m also with JAN BRUEGHEL. He’s got loads of improvement in him and has a great profile. What else do you like on the card?
BAKER: Karl Burke’s POET MASTER (Doncaster, 300): has won five of his seven career starts and was really impressive when running away with a Group Two contest at the Curragh in July. He won over today’s course and distance last season and this race looks ideal for him.
Ghostwriter (right) looks good in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and The Curragh
CHAMBERLIN: The Champagne Stakes (Doncaster, 150) is an intriguing contest. BAY CITY ROLLER – who, before you say it, I am not old enough to remember – can give a bold sight.
KING: I like the each-way angle to that race: I’m backing WOLF OF BADENOCH – he was eye-catching at Goodwood in July and this more conventional track will suit him. They think a lot of him at Hugo Palmer’s yard.
RYDER: Talking of each-way plays, GHOSTWRITER (Leopardstown, 325) looks good in the Irish Champion Stakes. He’s been a model of consistency this summer and taken City Of Troy on in his last two runs. He’s got a lot of ability and will win a big one somewhere.
SUNDAY
CHAMBERLIN: The show keeps rolling on, doesn’t it? There will be times when you won’t know where to look.
BAKER: BRADSELL has won both starts since returning from a serious injury, including the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. His form is rock solid, he’s won twice at Group One level and I’m confident he will add a third top level success in the Flying Five (CURRAGH, 300).
Dominic King is backing Raqiya to runaway with the Sceptre Stakes in Doncaster on Sunday
RYDER: Sorry, my friend, but I am taking you on with BELIEVING. Has the benefit of a course and distance victory in July in comparison to Bradsell who was drawn on the better part of the track at York in the Nunthorpe Stakes last time.
CHAMBERLIN: This is my nap of the weekend, Steve! I really do think she will beat Bradsell – sorry, Chris!
KING: I want Opera Singer to win the Prix Vermille at Longchamp but I’m going for RAQIYA (DONCASTER, 315) to runaway with the Sceptre Stakes. Connections were talking about her favourably at Goodwood last time, when she won with the help of a steward’s enquiry. I don’t think she will need assistance this time.
