ITV Racing Tips: Havana Grey to be dealt some Heartache at Doncaster
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There are a number of cracking-looking races on day three of the St. Leger Festival with two Group 2 renewals, and a Group 3 to look forward to.
Can Montaly add the Doncaster Cup to his burgeoning list of victories? And who will win in the clash between Heartache and Havana Grey in the Flying Childers Stakes?
These are the big questions presented to us on Friday. Now let’s try and find some answers.
The Wainwrights Flying Childers Stakes is arguably the star attraction on day three at Doncaster.
This Group 2 renewal will see Clive Cox’s Heartache clash with Karl Burke’s star flyer, Havana Grey.
Cox’s two-year-old is back in action after suffering an injury in France back in July. She was a big winner at Royal Ascot the month previous.
Connections had been waiting for Friday’s forecast to declare her. But with the course looking like being good to soft, the Queen Mary winner has been included.
There’s currently little to separate her and Havana Grey in the betting.
Understandably so given, the latter’s pedigree. Burke’s two-year-old was second in a Group 1 in Deauville last time out, as well as winning at Goodwood in a Group 2 in August.
However, if the rain stays away, we’re backing the superstar Heartache – with Ryan Moore aboard – to take the glory.
This year’s renewal of the Doncaster Cup looks a fascinating prospect with any one of six inclusions in with a chance.
All eyes will be on Montaly to see if he can keep up his recent excellent form. But that’s what we think will be his downfall here.
Having already won the Chester Cup, as well as the Lonsdale Cup at York last time out, it’s difficult to oppose the six-year-old. But we’re going to anyway.
Desert Skyline lies just behind in the betting and we reckon that’s where the value might lie.
Saddler’s Rock was the last three-year-old to win this race in 2011 and David Elsworth’s stayer can emulate his success here.
This chestnut gelding is improving all the time.
After a second place in a Group 3 at Newmarket in July, he followed by third in a Group 1 at Goodwood in early August.
He then second again in a Group 2 in Deauville three weeks ago.
We think the Doncaster Cup is where the younger, fresher legs might just get the better of the under-pressure Montaly.
Like with any Lively Longshot, we’ve looked down the field to spot a bit of value and we think we’ve found some in the Sceptre Stakes.
This Group 3 renewal looks wide open with Eternally ridden by Frankie Dettori leading the betting.
However, it’s Roger Varian’s Tomyris that has piqued our interest.
Since her Listed win at York back in May, the three-year-old has run very well in Group 1 and Group 2 company respectively
Under Andrea Atenzi, this progressive bay filly could spring a bit of a surprise and is at least worth an each-way punt.
13:50 Doncaster – Tomyris e/w
14:25 Doncaster – Heartache
15:00 Doncaster – Byron Flyer
15:35 Doncaster – Desert Skyline
16:05 Doncaster – Ghaiyyath
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
