*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The Group 2 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes is the feature on the opening day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
Sumo Sam, trained by Paul & Oliver Cole, is likely to head the betting for Thursday’s 15:35 as the three-year-old filly brings the best form to the table courtesy of her victory in last month’s Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.
Despite being a marathon trip over an extended 14 furlongs, the Classic generation have had the upper hand in this race in recent years and the 10-strong field is evenly split between horses aged three and four.
The latest Park Hill Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Park Hill Stakes tips
Timeform: Not a strong renewal but very much a wide-open one. CHING SHIH looked suited by the step up in trip when runner-up to a smart 3-y-o colt in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury and shades the vote back against her own sex. Sumo Sam is another who seemingly showed much-improved form when a wide-margin winner (in the mud) of the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood and further rain will enhance her claims, while One Evening his high on the shortlist given her yard’s excellent record in this.
Park Hill Stakes runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Park Hill Stakes 2023.
Ching Shih
Trainer: David Simcock Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 5
Useful filly who seemed to excel herself when second (clear of rest) to Arrest in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (13.3f, good, 20/1) 26 days ago, the emphasis on stamina serving her well. Big shout if backing that up.
*****
Divine Jewel
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Ben Curtis Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 4
Good third in a strong York listed event on return before going down narrowly to an unexposed 3-y-o in Leopardstown Group 3. Quickly back on track when runner-up in listed race at Chester and in the mix back against own sex.
***
Golden Lyra
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 3
Useful filly who ended last term with emphatic success in listed race (9.9f, heavy) at Saint-Cloud. Back to that level when 1½ lengths fourth of 10 in Prix de Pomone (Group 2) at Deauville (12.4f, soft) 26 days ago, staying on well. Considered up in trip.
****
Night Sparkle
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 9
Progressive for previous yard, winning all 3 starts on the Flat, including class 3 handicap at Newmarket (14f, good) 26 days ago. This not a strong race for the grade so no surprise if she made a big impact starting out for Andrew Balding.
****
One Evening
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: William Buick Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 1
Low-mileage filly who took another step forward when only just edged out in a listed race at York 3 weeks ago. Worth another go at this sort of trip and yard has excellent record in this (won 3 of the last 4 renewals).
****
Sumo Sam
Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 2
Nathaniel filly who seemed to excel herself when all-the-way winner of Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood (14f, heavy) 6 weeks ago. That is the best form on offer and further rain will be in her favour. Has 3 lb penalty.
****
Boogie Woogie
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 8
Useful filly who confirmed improvement when second in Group 3 at Chantilly. Heavy ground an obvious excuse at Cork since and better expected now. Bidding to give top yard first win in this race.
***
Crack Of Light
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Cieren Fallon Age: 3 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 6
Kingman filly who has made steady progress since making a winning debut at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in February, winning a listed race at France before good second in Group 2 there. Went close in Group 3 at Deauville since, shaping as if worth a try at this trip. Player.
****
Lmay
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 10
Off the mark at the third attempt in a Newbury maiden in June. Better form in defeat when highly tried after, though at the same time her limitations were exposed.
**
Shamwari
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 3 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 7
Useful filly who was off the mark at the fourth attempt at Dundalk in July. Looked sure to be involved in the finish until coming up against a wall of horses in Prix Minerve at Deauville (12.4f, good) 30 days ago. Headgear on 1st time. May do better still.
***
Thursday’s Doncaster Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s horse racing tips for the ITV action at Doncaster
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for day one of the St Leger Festival
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Doncaster St Leger Festival 2023 race times and day-by-day schedule
- When is the St Leger? Doncaster date, start time, runners and betting
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