Doncaster Betting Tips Day 3: Irish Raider Holds Aces In St Leger

The St Leger on Saturday is the final Classic of the British Flat racing season, drawing the biggest crowds, the highest prize money, and the most prestigious racing of the entire week.

Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington marks your seven-race card:

1.10 – 1m Maiden Stakes

By a top-class stallion, AL JABBAR’s pedigree (Sea The Stars) strongly suggests he will thrive over this straight one-mile trip on Doncaster’s galloping track.

The yard’s juveniles have been in exceptional form recently, making him the standout pick in this opening race.

1.45 – 7f Champagne Stakes (Group 2)

The Charlie Appleby-trained DESERT CASTLE (NAP) sets the standard here, having been the facile winner of a maiden stakes at Newmarket at the beginning of August.

He is heavily fancied in our horse racing betting to follow up over this seven-furlong trip.

2.20 – 5½f Portland Handicap

APOLLO ONE caught the eye when running on strongly at York and can be given a strong each-way shout here.

He looks primed to handle this quick 5½-furlong test after dropping down to a highly competitive mark.

2.55 – 7f Park Stakes (Group 2)

The Ralph-Beckett-trained QIRAT has been in highly consistent form all summer, posting form figures of 4-7-1-4-9-2.

Although he has a bit to find on the market principles, his odds of 8/1 in our sports betting look rather generous for this solid performer and I recommend an each-way play.

3.35 – 1m6½f St Leger Stakes (Group 1)

Given that no Epsom Derby winner has managed to follow up with a St Leger victory since 1987, I shall be sticking to my guns with my ante-post selection ENCELADUS (NB).

The Joseph O’Brien-trained runner is looking particularly interesting after an unbeaten campaign so far.

He followed up his King George Stakes victory at Royal Ascot by winning the Gordon Stakes, so will head to Town Moor with plenty of positive winds running through his sails and will arrive a fresh horse.

4.15 – 1m Handicap

William Haggas’ BULLET POINT can use his powerful cruising speed to sit close to what is expected to be a scorching pace in this one-mile affair.

I’m expecting the projected good-to-soft playing directly into his strengths at the business end of proceedings.

4.48 – 1m2f Handicap

Andrew Balding’s OLD HARROVIAN holds an intriguing each-way chance in the finale.

Admittedly he has been off the track for a massive 512 days, with his last competitive run dating back to an all-weather second-place finish in April 2025.

However, Balding is a shrewd operator, and we can generally trust his judgement on these matters – i.e., the seven-year-old must be buzzing at home.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*