St Leger Festival Tips: Time to get Pilastered at Doncaster?
Published:
The build-up to Saturday’s Classic continues at Doncaster this afternoon, with the second day of racing from the St Leger Festival.
After giving yesterday a miss, Ed Chamberlin and co. will be live on ITV4 from 1:30pm to cover the first four races of the day.
The Park Hill Stakes should prove the highlight at 3:00pm, although there are three other competitive looking races to enjoy as well.
We’ve covered them all in our ITV Racing Tips.
Roger Varian filly Pilaster is going for the four-timer in the Park Hill after battling her way to victory in the Lillie Langtry Stakes last time out.
The three-year-old edged Maid Up to land the Group 2 prize at Glorious Goodwood.
That piece of form looks even better now given the runner-up’s subsequent entry into Saturday’s St Leger.
The daughter of Nathaniel will take on a handy looking field over 1m 6f, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the unexposed star, who has tasted defeat just once – on debut.
Accordance ran into the smart-looking Antonia De Vega when runner-up at Goodwood last month.
The filly was beaten just over a length that day and finished ahead of fancied types, including Aim Power and Posted.
Mark Johnston’s charge looks as though she has more to give, and her pedigree suggests she should be well-suited to the 1m distance on offer here.
The booking of top jockey Frankie Dettori only improves her chances.
It could be worth taking a chance on Rathbone in the final race of the day on ITV.
Kevin Ryan’s colt has yet to actually enter the winners’ enclosure in four career starts. But he has managed to place each time.
His last effort at York almost brought that run to end, only to be edged by the uber-consistent Ginger Nut in a competitive handicap at York.
He should be on the premises once again for a trainer enjoying a pretty decent season.
ITV Racing Tips:
1:50 Doncaster – Winter Light
2:25 Doncaster – Accordance
3:00 Doncaster – Pilaster
3:35 Doncaster – Rathbone
All Odds and Markets correct as of date and publication
