ITV Racing’s cameras play host to a bumper nine races on Sunday, extending the weekend’s terrestrial coverage to broadcast more top class racing from Doncaster and the Curragh. GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier picks out his best bets across both meetings.
2.25 Curragh – Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes (Group 2)
A three-year-old has won this in each of the past five seasons, so it is worth sticking to that demographic. The third, fourth and fifth from the Irish Oaks reunite in Purple Lily, Elizabeth Jane and CAUGHT U LOOKING, but it is the last-named who is fancied to overturn that form.
Those who were midfield or in rear were benefited in that Classic with the front-runners fading significantly. Both Purple Lile and Elizabeth Jane were therefore better positioned than the selection, who was closer to the pace and fared easily the best of those described as “prominent” or “in touch with leaders”.
She only has two lengths to make up and also performed with credit in the all-age Royal Whip Stakes over this trip last time behind the classy Continuous. Colin Keane has his duties to Ger Lyons to take care of here, and Oisin Murphy is an eyecatching substitute booking.
2.40 Doncaster – Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap
GERMANIC might be a bit of a character, having got loose before his previous run at Thirsk, but evidence suggests he is talented. A mark of 95 does not look beyond him for this handicap debut.
A winner on his second career start by 11 lengths, he was only just touched off at Thirsk under a penalty despite his antics. While the winner has not done a lot for the form, the third has won on both starts since and Germanic was conceding him 7lb. Cheekpieces go on, which should help him settle, and if that brings about the requisite improvement, he should be going very close.
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3.00 Curragh – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1)
Bedtime Story is the story of this race, looking to maintain her unbeaten record having put in the most striking display of the season at Royal Ascot. She has still looked very talented in two stronger races since, dispatching her rivals twice at prohibitive odds of 1/16, but it was hard work for her last time in beating stablemate Exactly.
That race may not have been run to suit, but she is becoming opposable with the air of inevitability around her fading. Her other stable companion Lake Victoria may well be a danger, though it is British raider SIMMERING who makes most appeal.
Ollie Sangster’s filly is on the up. After having been collared late in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, an infinitely stronger race than the Chesham won by Bedtime Story, she got up late herself to win over that same course and distance in the Princess Margaret Stakes in July. However, upped to 7f, she was much more impressive in winning at Deauville last month. Her Group level form makes her the preference over Red Letter, the other non O’Brien inmate in the field, who could also be anything.
3.15 Doncaster – Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3)
This is the standout contest at Doncaster on Sunday and looks fairly competitive. Fair Angellica looks set to be quite a strong favourite though there are plenty of claims to be tabled among the 12 runners.
One of the best appears to belong to GREAT GENERATION, who seems to boast a similar profile to the favourite but slightly in reverse. Both have won in Pattern company at this trip, with Great Generation’s coming in Group 3 level and necessitating a 3lb penalty, before she was a close fourth with said penalty over 6f at York. She was outclassed at Group 1 level at that shorter sprint distance last time out, but Fair Angellica had also struggled when stepped outside of her optimum 7f too.
The selection’s win at Lingfield earlier this season is decent form and she did it well. A six-week break can bring her back to her best, and as she is the highest rated, she is entitled to be a shorter price.
ITV Racing Tips – Three Selections For St Leger Day At Doncaster
It’s Betfred St Leger day at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon as the premier stayers line up for the final Classic of the season. Our in-house tipster has a big-race selection for the Group 1 showpiece, as well as two other picks for what should be a fabulous day on Town Moor in front of the…
Fri 13 Sep 2024
3.35 Curragh – Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)
A rematch between the first two in the Nunthorpe, though BELIEVING is taken to overturn York form with Bradsell and claim a first Group 1. The two are clear on form unless Bucanero Fuerte can adapt to 5f and may well have proceedings between them again.
However, where Bradsell was ideally drawn and placed throughout the Nunthorpe, Believing was berthed widest of all and positioned towards the back. The fact she reduced the deficit to less than a length was remarkable with Ryan Moore almost working his magic to get her up.
As it is, the pair are drawn on opposite sides once again, but this time it looks like George Boughey’s filly has the plum stall in one. Only one winner has emerged from wider than stall 8 since 2016, and with Bradsell in 14, and having also disappointed in this last season, there are plentiful reasons to back a Nunthorpe reverse, not least because Believing won comfortably in Group 2 level over course and distance in July.
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