Showdown for fillies in the Sceptre at Doncaster
The closing day of the Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster brings a high-quality renewal of the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes, where Touleen and Forty Years On are expected to provide the headline act.
Owen Burrows’ Touleen heads the official ranks for the contest and will be partnered by David Probert. The filly has demonstrated top-class ability on her day but arrives having failed to find the frame on her two most recent starts at this level. Connections have fitted cheekpieces for this assignment as they search for a first stakes success; earlier in the season Touleen was narrowly beaten by Precise in the Coronation Stakes, an effort that underlined her ability over the mile division.
Her most obvious danger is George Scott’s Forty Years On, a filly on a clear upward curve after successive wins. The most recent of those victories came over course and distance and the manner of that performance marks her out as a serious contender in what is expected to be a deeper heat than her previous assignments.
Beyond the principals, the race contains a number of fillies with legitimate each-way appeals. Darnation and The Prettiest Star offer solid form credentials, while Magic Basma — a 102-rated filly — looks to recapture the promise shown when she won on debut, her only victory from thirteen starts to date.
Handicap action across the card
The afternoon also features a strong renewal of the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap (2.30), where Wechaad carries the colours for the Roger Varian yard. Wechaad, a previous winner over the course and distance, has posted a string of respectable efforts and will be expected to be popular with supporters who favour proven track form.
Top weight in the handicap is Military Code, representing Godolphin and set to be ridden by Toby Moore, who takes off a handy seven pounds. The colt showed improvement on his most recent outing when tried in a hood and arrives having been eased a pound in the weights. Others to note in the line-up include Langstone, Zooming and last-time scorer Lion Of Mali.
Afternoon handicaps and other highlights
The Betfred Mallard Handicap (3.40) presents an open contest and features Valedictory, trained by John and Thady Gosden. A consistent summer performer, Valedictory has two wins from six starts this season and will wear a visor in an attempt to sharpen his latest effort at York.
Say What You See, trained by Liam Bailey and to be ridden by Billy Garritty, arrives on the back of another encouraging run at York and is considered among the more progressive contenders. Ernst Blofeld and the lightly raced All In You are others who could play a part in what is expected to be a competitive sprinting test.
The earlier Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap (1.55) also merits attention, with Asuka prominent in the betting for the George Boughey stable and apprentice Billy Loughnane. Completely Random, who finished fourth in the Stewards’ Cup, is another of the more notable names on the card, having been penalised 2lbs to a mark of 104 for that performance.
Racing elsewhere
At Bath, the Grade-closing features include the Loud Hire Production Services Bath Summer Sprint Series Final Handicap (3.50), where Dark Sun and Geemann line up, while Boilermaker heads the Loud Hire Staging Hire Bath Summer Stayers’ Series Final Handicap (3.15).
On the continent, attention falls on ParisLongchamp where Rayevka is among the principal attractions for the Prix du Petit Couvert. The afternoon also includes the Prix du Pin and the Prix du Prince d’Orange, the latter set to feature Daryzan and Phineas among its entries.
With several competitive handicaps and the Group 3 Sceptre providing the focal point, the final day at Doncaster promises a full card for festivalgoers and punters alike as the St Leger meeting draws to a close.
This article may have been prepared in whole or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
