Doncaster St Leger Meeting - Friday 9th September

The Flying Childers Stakes looks set for another cracking renewal, and although there are lots of big stables with Requinto, Burwaaz, Lilbourne Lad and Angels Will Fall all representing powerful yards, I think it will come down to two horses, depending on the ground. If it comes up good, My Propellor will be difficult to beat, following up her impressive maiden win with a listed win at York. However my value option is KOHALA for the David Barron yard. A model of consistency, and the form from her Queen Mary 4th is absolutely rock solid. She sets the standard.

Few of interest in this one, with no real obvious stand out pick. Eternal Heart ran a good race behind Motrice at Goodwood two weeks ago, and Will Buick has kept the ride on the Mark Johnston colt, which is of interest. Precision Break won this race off a 1lb lower mark, but faces five more rivals than last year, and may struggle for fitness on only his second run of the season. The Fallon factor sways us with BOURNE, who looked an out and out potential stayer when second in the Old Newton Cup. He stayed on strongly, has that man Fallon on board, and has a low weight to carry, and the Luca Cumani gelding may hold the key.

Absolute banker of the meeting runs in the Doncaster Cup and that is my trusty OPINION POLL, whom I napped last time out in the Goodwood Cup, and should once more be too strong against a much inferior field. Trip of 2m 2f should suit the Godolphin animal moreso than anyone else, and his form is absolutely rock solid. The more rain the better, and that will only effect the winning distance. Cue a flying dismount for the Doncaster locals!

Toughest race on the card is the May Hill Stakes, a fillies group two, with some promising juveniles. Samitar sets the obvious benchmark, winning the Albany and then being an arguabley unlucky runner up at Newmarket next time out. Regal Realm looked highly progressive from her recent group three win, and has some promising entries. As does John Gosden's Fallen For You, whose maiden form has worked out well, and the daughter of Dansili is entered in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket. Hard to stray from SAMITAR however, who should relish the conditions and sets the best standard.

Another horse with a seemingly bright future is the Sheikh Hamdan horse EKTIHAAM, and although it pains me to side for a horse with Richard Hills on board, he looks to be potentially a superstar. Entered in the Royal Lodge, Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy, he made easy work of Harvard n' Yale in his maiden, who is another extremely well bred colt, and then won a Newmarket maiden next time out. Even Richard Hills can get this one home chaps!

BELOW ZERO looks a colt who has sneaked his way ahead of the handicapper, and although carries a 6lb penalty for a recent victory, looks well in. After finishing third in the second leg of the Betfair Summer Double, he was punted off the boards with Fran Berry on in the September Handicap at Leopardstown, winning very cosily. The big danger looks to be the Easterby gelding Grissom seeking the hatrick, but again we put our faithin King Kieren!

Final race of the card, tough classified stakes, a race where three year olds have an excellent record, Godolphin's Willing Foe building on the record last year. Two stand outs come in the Mashaaref for Richard Hills and Roger Varian, a son of Cape Cross who is fairly unexposed, and Beaten Up for William Haggas and Richard Hughes, an unbeaten gelding aiming to build upon a solid maiden win in April at Ripon. Hard to pick between the two but based on BEATEN UP's maiden form, we shall side with Yorkshireman William Haggas in the lucky last.

1.25 Kohala

1.55 Bourne

2.25 Opinion Poll (Nap)

3.00 Samitar

3.35 Ektihaam (Nb)

4.10 Below Zero

4.40 Beaten Up

Irish Derby, Pretty Polly Stakes and Northumberland Plate

A horse that we shall remain faithful to as he seeks his redemption is CARLTON HOUSE, famously owned by Her Majesty the Queen, who was an unlucky third in the Epsom Derby and now goes across to the Curragh for the Irish equivalent.

He was terribly unlucky in his build up to the Derby and during the race itself. It seemed as if everything that could go wrong did go wrong. He suffered a setback at home the week before the race, severly affecting his preparation, and was then hampered in the race, before losing a shoe in running. While each incident in isolation may not have been critical there is little doubt that there would have been some cumulative effect.

He will face a largely similar field to that at Epsom, with Native Khan, Memphis Tennesee, Treasure Beach and Seville all reopposing. It could be a slightly substandard Irish Derby, and Carlton House has the class, the form and the connections that should see him comfortably home.

Another British raider seeking success across the Irish Sea this weekend is MIDDAY who bids to win the Pretty Polly Stakes. Henry Cecil's star five year old mare has looked at her outstanding best in her two runs this season, and seems to be progressing with every race. She followed her Middleton Stakes win with a narrow defeat in the Coronation Cup at Epsom to St Nicholas Abbey, who is now ante post favourite for the King George at Ascot.

She looks to have the best form is the race and should be at peak fitness.The obvious danger is the multiple Group One winning dual Oaks heroine Snow Fairy. Snow Fairy is undoubtedly a class act but she is likely to come on for the run and will be aimed primarily at International targets in the Autumn.

In Saturday’s big race at Newcastle, the Northumberland Plate, Europe’s richest two mile handicap, I like to look for horses with proven recent form at the distance. The first of to catch the eye is last years winner, the outstanding OVERTURN, who is seeking to becoming the first back to back winner since Tug of War's exploits in 1977/1978.

Donald McCain's star performer has excelled on the flat, and his front running techniques are incredibly effective, as ably demonstrated once more last time out when winning the Chester Cup. Although he is up 17lb in the handicap, he looks to have a great chance, and Henry Brooke will take 5lb off for his claim too.

Another horse who looks to have a fantastic chance is the current ante post favourite ACTIVATE. The son of Motivator looked all class when winning a two mile handicap on firm ground at Haydock and he could be a step or two ahead of the handicapper. The ground is expected to be good-to-soft, and that should pose no problems. He should come on for his last run, and has been heavily backed in the past week, indicating the yard feel he has an outstanding chance. Just for good measure, one of my personal favourite jockeys, Hayley Turner, is on board.

3.05 Newcastle (Sat) Activate (Ew) & Overturn

3.35 Curragh (Sat) Midday

3.50 Curragh (Sun) Carlton House (Nap)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner