The final classic meeting of the flat racing season at Doncaster is upon us, marking the near end of the flat season.
For many, this meeting signals the transition towards the National Hunt season, with the Cheltenham Festival talking starting to come out of the woodwork.
However, before we turn our attention to jumps racing, we have three days of top-class action at Doncaster, including the prestigious St Leger Stakes, the oldest of the British classics.
This three-day festival offers plenty of betting opportunities, with my tips on the best horses to follow and insights into the leading horse racing bookmakers who can help you make your winning bets.
✨ St. Leger Festival Day One Betting Tips
Read on for an in-depth look into Andrew’s day one betting tips for the Doncaster St Leger Festival.
- Doncaster 2:25 Cubrun 4/1
- Doncaster 3:35 Minstral Star 5/1
- Doncaster 4:40 Back In Black 7/2
Doncaster 2:25 – Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (6½f)
Just over a length separated Camille Pissarro and CUBRUN in their meeting in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes, with the latter gaining my support.
He came into the Gimcrack with a perfect 2-for-2 record over 5f and seemed to handle the 6f well, as he was finishing strong.
Armed with a 4lb pull in the weights against Camille Pissarro, who was sent off at 3/1 that day, and with the extra half-furlong, it seems likely that Caburn will have more to offer here.
An Outlaw’s Grace is another who should appreciate the extra half-furlong and is not out of contention.
- Selection: Cabrun 4/1
- Danger: An Outlaw’s Grace 10/1
- Current Betting: Camille Pissarro 11/4, Cubrun 4/1, Intrusively 5/1, King Of Bears 8/1, An Outlaw’s Grace 10/1, Hallasan 12/1, Cairdeas 16/1, 18/1 bar.
Doncaster 3:35 – Group 2 Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (1m6½f)
A stamina-sapping trip is in store for these 10 fillies, many of whom are trying this distance for the first time. The one I believe will appreciate it the most is the Yorkshire Oaks fourth, MINSTRAL STAR.
She is 2-for-4 over 1m4f, and her strong, staying-on fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks suggests that this distance is well worth a try.
Her running style indicates she won’t have any issues with the trip, and if this extra distance can eke out more improvement, Mistral Star may have enough in reserve to fend off the challenges of Night Sparkle and Grateful.
- Selection: Minstral Star 5/1
- Danger: Greatful 13/2
- Current Betting: Night Sparkle 7/2, Minstral Star 5/1, Scenic 11/2, Greatful 13/2, Oxford Comma 8/1, Sumo Sam 8/1, Nakheel 10/1, 12/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on Minstral Star at talkSPORT BET 🏇
Doncaster 4:40 – Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Racecourse Nursery Handicap (7f)
Spell Master and Qaseem are closely matched based on their meeting at York, and a pull in the weights in favour of Spell Master should keep them close once again. However, they may have to settle for a supporting role today.
BACK IN BLACK was nothing short of visually impressive when winning his maiden at York last time out, though things nearly went wrong when he clipped heels 2f out and almost went to the ground.
The fact that he was able to recover and finish as strongly as he did shows me there’s a lot more in the tank. This Nursery will undoubtedly test him, but he should be more than capable of being right there at the finish.
- Selection: Back In Black 7/2
- Danger: Thunder Wonder 5/1
- Current Betting: Spell Master 10/3, Back In Black 7/2, Qaseem 4/1, Thunder Wonder 5/1, Jorge Alvares 11/2, Yaroogh 6/1, Valsharah 22/1.
🏇 Bet on Back In Black with VBET 🏇
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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