Saturday is St Leger day at Doncaster, which is all set to be a great occasion, and we’ve also got some cracking racing from Ireland at Leopardstown after on ITV. I’ve picked five for you to put together as you enjoy this feast of high-class action on the telly.
13:50 at Doncaster: Chindit
Albasheer won very nicely at the track on his first start and the form had been franked by the 4th Lost In Space, who has won a couple of races since.
The dam of this horse is from the family of Nashwan, so it is a good pedigree, and looked so when streaming away from the field on fast ground. The time was slow but when you look at his last 3 furlong split it is more impressive.
Chindit was very impressive at Ascot on very fast ground and the form of his win at Ascot is impressive reading. 2nd, 3rd & 4th have all won since including a couple at listed level. Chindit gets the vote.
14:25 at Doncaster: A Momentofmadness
I love these sprint handicaps as they have lots of horses in here who have run against each one other multiple times. A Momentofmadness was 2nd to the Group 1 winner Oxted last year off a 4lb higher mark. So, with a good run last time at Goodwood, one would have to think this fella has to have a very strong chance here again.
Danzeno is another who I think is coming in to form. He ran a great race last time at Haydock and prior to that had run well against Glen Shiel at Newmarket.
Jawwaal didn’t last over further at York but is back to 5 furlongs here and can be dangerous. However, A Momentofmadness to win.
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15:00 at Doncaster: Wichita
Some old reliables in here and Limato definitely fits into that category, as does One Master. Limato won this race back in 2015 and looked every bit as good when winning the Criterion at Newmarket last time.
I think nowadays 7 furlongs looks to suit him best and I can see this fella run well here. One Master is an admirably consistent filly who has run in some really good races and has always acquitted herself well. She does look slightly better on softer ground though.
I find it interesting that Aidan O’Brien is running Wichita in this. He’s a fella who was third in the St James Palace at Royal Ascot to subsequent Group 1 winner Palace Pier and second in the 2000 Guineas to Kameko. When you look through his form you can’t help but think this is better than all these other horses. If he can run to the level he showed in June this year I think he will win this.
15:35 at Doncaster – Pyledriver
Santiago was a winner at Royal Ascot and a week later won the Irish Derby. That shows you what a tough horse he is.
He loved the trip at Ascot and probably deserves to be favourite for this. He got beaten by specialist stayer Stradivarius at Goodwood and there’s no disgrace in that. Hukum has done us a few favours this year and goes from strength to strength as the weeks go by.
Pyledriver is another who has done me a few favours this season and I am a huge fan of this horse. He won the Great Voltigeur at York and the King Edward at Royal Ascot.
His trainer William Muir has never won a Group 1 but it would be a great way to put that right. His son-in-law Martin Dwyer has won a couple of classics and this is a great story all round as this lad was led away unsold when they struggled to get more than £10,000 for him.
Galileo Chrome has been the subject of strong moves in the market this week for Joseph O’Brien but I am not deserting Pyledriver now. It will be scenes in the winner’s enclosure if this lad wins!
16.10 at Leopardstown – Ghaiyyath
I love Ghaiyyath and when I interviewed William Buick after he won the Juddmonte on him at York he said he was the best he has ridden. The other thing that struck me is how big he is.
He is a monster and so versatile. If he wants to avoid a tactical war with the Irish-trained horses he can easily lead. Come on Ghaiyyath!
Mick Fitzgerald’s top tips for Saturday
13:50 at Doncaster: Chindit
14:25 at Doncaster: A Momentofmadness
15:00 at Doncaster: Wichita
15:35 at Doncaster: Pyledriver
16.10 at Leopardstown: Ghaiyyath
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