Williiam Hill ambassador Nick Luck casts his expert eye over Saturday’s racing from Doncaster, Chester and Leopardstown, including the St Leger and Irish Champion Stakes.
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Doncaster, Saturday
POINT OF CONTACT could be the answer to the Saturday opener on Leger Day at Doncaster (1:15pm). In a field of largely exposed horses, he stands out as one still open to move forward from this mark. What’s more, he has been running well in very competitive races for improving three-year-olds, and has already shown he can handle softer ground. He looks sure to run well.
OXAGON can win the Champagne Stakes (1:50pm). These look five smart colts, but the selection made a deep impression at Sandown last time, quickening up the hill in a manner rarely seen. He also exhibited something of an easy ground action. He was quite well found in the market ahead of his promising debut in a very good race, suggesting his top stable think they have something pretty smart. Oisin Murphy is back in the saddle today.
FIVETHOUSANDTOONE can drop on a big prize in the Portland (2:25pm). He’s been pretty infuriating in the main since going off a single figure price for the Dewhurst five years ago, but he’s still more than capable, and he’s just started to show a bit of consistency at this level. His all-weather exploits tell you how well handicapped he now is on turf, and it’s my view he’s not 10 pounds worse on the green stuff. He’ll get the right set-up here, and looks potentially well drawn with plenty of pace to chase over this slightly shorter trip.
MARVELMAN might be the bet in the Park Stakes (3:00pm). I don’t mind taking on Shadow Of Light at short odds in any race, while Ten Bob Tony has been off a while since his nice win at Haydock. Meanwhile, the lightly raced selection has been quietly improving to this level, staying on for a pleasing third in the Hungerford. Easy ground seems important to him, and another small step up will see him right in the mix.
FURTHUR eventually gets the nod in the Leger (3:40pm). You can make a case for all the Ballydoyle horses, but both Scandinavia and Stay True are unlikely to have their optimum conditions, while Lambourn will need a bit of a reboot from his dull York effort. That’s possible, and the Derby winner would be the one I like best, but he’ll also surely contribute to a searching test. What I loved about Furthur at Newbury was how a change of tactics seemed to add another string to his bow. He looked very comfortable in behind, and I’m hoping for something similar today before Oisin Murphy allows him to unwind his giant stride up the long straight.
Chester, Saturday
MILITARY ACADEMY might just be value to overturn dear old Hamish at Chester (2:05pm). There’s nothing between them on the Goodwood run, the selection is three pounds better off and may yet be capable of better.
SPIRIT MIXER looks a lively one in the staying handicap (2:40pm). He’s a little higher than when winning this last year, but he’s improved a fair bit, ran another solid race at York, and will appreciate slightly softer ground. He’s handily enough drawn, and should give a pretty good account.
Leopardstown, Saturday
WHITE BIRCH can emerge from the shadows in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (5.30pm). He may have been seen only twice since producing the best bit of form available here (a drubbing of Auguste Rodin in a sparkling time), but he probably should have won both those starts this spring, when unlucky both times. A jockey full of confidence takes over under conditions that will suit perfectly, and I expect his tactical speed to put him in a good spot turning for home.
