Yesterday was frustrating, but there are a few interesting horses to note on day two of the Doncaster St Leger meeting.
January ran a good race in the May Hill Stakes when finishing second at 6/1 and Night Sparkle was a tough watch in the Park Hill Stakes, so the crossbar was certainly hit on Thursday.
With this in mind, let’s hope for a bit more success today.
1:50 Doncaster – Quantum Leap @ 10/1 – 1pt EW
In the opening contest of the day, it’s worth chancing Quantum Leap to make up for last year’s disappointing effort in this race.
The New Approach gelding has run with credit all season and he was a notable eye-catcher on his last start in the Stayers Handicap at York.
Samui, the runner-up, went on to finish a good third behind ABSURBE and CAIUS CHORISTER in the Chester Stakes on his last start to help give the form some substance.
His current rating of 82 is the same mark he had when winning at Haydock in July 2023 and he could easily improve past this rating based on his debut success over the now 92-rated Aztec Empire, a horse who has good form with Sweet William.
He’s a slow starter, which is a small concern, but there’s a small thing which makes me think this has been a bit of a plan considering he ran in the 2023 renewal, so I’m willing to back him today.
3:00 Doncaster – Aesterius @ 5/1 – 1pt EW
The Flying Childers looks like a race that could see one improve past the horses at the head of the market, and Aesterius looks ready to do so
His form from the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is working out really nicely thanks to a number of horses.
Tropical Storm beat him that day, but Aesterius came from the other side of the track and he was staying on at the same rate as the now Group 1 winner Whistlejacket who finished fourth.
He was staying on behind Big Mojo at Goodwood before Mr Lightside slightly bumped him in the final half a furlong, but he put that behind him to win in France on his latest start.
I think he has some quality and is worth a play here.
3:35 Doncaster – Sweet William @ 15/8 – 2pt Win
The Doncaster Cup takes centre stage today and it’s a good opportunity for the Sweet William to get a big victory on the board.
His efforts behind Kyprios in the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup are standout and he even beat Trueshan, who reappears today, in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown.
Furthermore, Vauban came out of the Gold Cup and won the Lonsdale Cup to frank the form.
John & Thady Gosden have a strong hand in the race with Gregory towards the head of the market, but Sweet William is a more consistent horse and his form when second to Absurde in last year’s Ebor has worked out well.
5:20 Doncaster – Wheels Of Fire @ 17/2 – 1pt EW
Richard Hannon has always thought plenty of Wheels Of Fire this season, so it’s interesting to see him step into nursery company off a mark of 84.
The Mehmas colt had a confidence booster at Lingfield last month when justifying odds of 1/3 over five furlongs and the handicapper has left him alone for the effort.
Before that, he didn’t show his true potential, though his efforts showed plenty of promise.
He finished third at Goodwood in a hot maiden and the winner, Jouncy, finished second to Symbol Of Strength in the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes.
That form looks good in a race like this and I’m hoping for a big run today.
