Holly Doyle is back in action with Albathier in the Portland Handicap on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing, before heading to Ireland on Sunday to take on old friend Bradsell at Curragh.
Albasheer goes out for a reward on Leger Day
Albasia Archie Watson has been a huge help to Saxon Gate Stables and the team this season and deserves another big award. Betfred Portland Handicap (2.25) Live from Doncaster on Saturday on Sky Sports Racing.
We were really unlucky not to win the Listed Beverley Bullet last month. It was a close race at the finish and it was disappointing to miss out on what would have been his greatest achievement to date.
Our enigmatic six-year-old, who was successful in the valuable Ascot Handicap in July, has the qualities to be rewarded in this famous cavalry charge despite his heavy weight (if he is in the running!).
Holly rides Albasheer at Doncaster
Ideally, I would have preferred to be drawn closer to the more popular horses, but the race is set to be a hot sprint so stall 6 should be fine. He likes to come home at a strong pace and should have no trouble with the ground or the 5.5f trip.
Town Moor is getting a lot better for Folgaria.
The Group 2 Betfred Park Stakes (3.00) at Doncaster on Saturday looks like a good opportunity for Marco Botti’s filly. Poland Even though she is banished as an outsider, she tries to get back on the right path.
Things haven’t been great for her since winning the Fred Darling Race at Newbury in the spring, but she has put in a lot of effort since running the French Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The ground at Newbury was too fast when she ran in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes last month, but the ground conditions at Town Moor look much more favourable for her.
Moneymaker Rathgar, ready for success
Lasgar Jack Channon had a profitable run, winning a Racing League Handicap at Yarmouth and finishing second at Chefstow.
With that level of form, I expect a good ride in the PJ Towey Construction Handicap (4.15) at Doncaster on Saturday at a galloping 10f. He is clearly versatile on the ground and carries a relatively light weight.
Rathgar has recently scored in the Racing League.
Also crawling into the bottom of the weight is: Eldrick Jones at Cepac 25th Anniversary Handicap (5.25). Roger Fell and Sean Murray’s five-year-old made a name for himself in the All-Weather at Newcastle but has also performed well on turf, finishing second in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old.
I’m itching to go back to Bradsell
I was itching to meet the Nunthorpe hero again. Bradsell A person who returns to action Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes (3.35) At the Curragh on Sunday.
Hollie Doyle celebrates at Bradsell.
He has since smashed the Group 1 Sprint at York and has followed up with a fine performance at Archie Watson’s Upper Lambourn Base, setting the bar in Ireland with a top rating of 118.
Bradsell was as fit as ever at Knavesmire in his second race since returning from an 11-month injury break and we couldn’t be more pleased with his third Group 1 win ahead of him. I’m quite pleased with the high draw from stall 14 and with the ground expected to be good, there’s no excuse.
Classmates, drop the key to St. Lawrence
A return to handicap form could be key to Wokingham’s title triumph last year. St. Lawrence I teamed up with him in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap (1.50) at the Curragh.
Archie Watson’s six-year-old ran well in Group Company in France without a head in front and although he should carry 10st, he is a fair scorer for his quality. Like Bradsell, he also has a high draw which could be an advantage.
Can’t get out of Illinois
Aidan O’Brien knows what it takes to win the Betfred St Leger (3.40) on Saturday and can add a stunning eighth success to his CV as he heads into the favourite at Doncaster on Saturday. Illinois.
His credentials are relatively strong, having won the Queen’s Bay at Royal Ascot and having suffered two solid defeats in the Grand Prix de Paris and the Great Voltigeur at York.
Illinois is Hollie’s choice for the St Leger.
His win at Queen’s Bay proved he enjoys the leger trip and with Aidan’s first jockey Ryan Moore on duty in Ireland, it presents Wayne Rodan with an excellent opportunity to win the world’s oldest classic.
My good friend Shawn Levy also has a big chance at Jan Brueghel at Ballydoyle. He comes into the race with an undefeated record. He obviously needs to step up after winning the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but anything could happen at this stage.
Trueshan, Cadran’s defense
Trushan He ran a fine race in his bid to win the Doncaster Cup for the second time in a row on Friday, finishing second behind long-time rival Sweet William.
I decided to run and he pricked up his ears and relaxed beautifully in front of me. He had a great rhythm and when I started to build up my pace, I felt really confident.
I thought I could catch Sweet William on the stretch at the top of the straight, but he actually got there very easily and brought the upset to us.
Trushan is feeling as good as ever and, if Alan King is happy with him, could be in line for next month’s Group 1 Prix du Cadran in France, where he won brilliantly 12 months ago.
Holly Doyle speaks to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
Watch every race at the Betfred St Leger Festival live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th September.
