12th September 2012

Today brings with it the start of the St Leger meeting and the final build-up to Camelot's attempt to become the first horse since Nijinsky to win the Triple Crown. Needless to say, there is some top quality racing before then and the action at Town Moor on Wednesday is perfect for whetting your appetite. Here are four selections in some of the easier races to call tomorrow.

14.00 Doncaster

A typically competitive 2yo nursery race to kick off proceedings, there are certainly a few horses with decent chances in this. William Buick has already indicated on his attheraces blog that he is excited about the prospects of Red Avenger, who is clearly suited by the 7 furlongs, fast ground and can boast a recent form boost with the 3rd horse home, Epic Battle, who was 7.25 lengths behind him, winning next time out last Saturday. However it is risky to read too much into that, as the 4th horse home, Echo Brava, who was finishing as well as Epic Battle, flopped next time out. On his merits, the likely favourite has solid claims, but there are are few other horses that catch the eye. Bonnie Lesley would certainly be in with a shout if handling the fast ground, something she hasn't encountered since her debut run at Ripon which ended with a disappointing 9th of 11. It could be that she enjoys the fast ground, but on current information she must be watched for now. Regal Dan and Bravo Youmzain are two others who stand out and should have good chances but on lines through other horses, it could be time for HIPSTER to get his head in front again. Showing that he can handle the fast ground and see out the trip last time at Newmarket, he gets a third chance to win off this mark. His run behind Glass Office took a big boost at the weekend and Beckett should have a fair idea of his chances on a line through Waterway Run. 15/2

14.30 Doncaster

It looks like it will pay to side with the unexposed types in this race. Cour Valant will rate a big chance if Bravo Youmzain performs in the first, but otherwise it looks like a race between Ribaat and UPWARD SPIRAL. The former has a hefty price tag and big race entries to justify, but feel he may just find the filly tough to beat. The step up to 6 furlongs is bound to suit the filly, and Dascombe's horses are in fine form, suggesting that the 84 day break may not be such a problem as the trainer will hopefully have got her spot on for this. 7/4

15.05 Doncaster

The day's feature race, the Scarborough Stakes, revolves around SOLE POWER. Since witnessing his Nunthorpe Stakes win in 2010, he has barely run a bad race, and it was about time he finished outside the top 3 last time out. As a result I'm sure he's been laid out for this race for some compensation, especially taking a big step down to Listed company. The booking of Murtagh is key as Sole Power's best races seem to be reserved for him these days. The return of Kingsgate Native adds interest but after 375 days off he again has to merely be watched. Of the rest, Buick is very sweet on Valbchek's chances but the drop to 5 furlongs is a major concern as stamina is something he appears to have and against a horse like Sole Power, who may as well hold the track record at Haydock with Bated Breath, he's one to avoid. At bigger prices, I fancy Excellette to run well, as long as the ground remains on the fast side of good. Although behind some of the rest of these in the King George stakes, going with firm in the description is key to this filly and she may just get it tomorrow. 2/1

16.10 Doncaster
This race can be summarised quite quickly. SWEDISH SAILOR is a fascinating prospect, with only one start to date which involved hammering Noble Mission by 5 lengths, so this colt really could be anything. Al Zarooni has also shown with a few horses this year he can judge a step up in distance, so the extra 2 furlongs shouldn't be a concern. Considering as well the weight allowance 3yo receive, and the fact they have won four of the last five renewals, bodes well for the Godolphin runner. He may not have been seen for a year, but whatever the reason was, he'll have had plenty of time to recover and prepare for this. Beaten Up will be hard to beat over the distance, especially if returning to any form, and may turn this into a real stamina test to draw out the others, but that may just mean he ends up racing Cai Shen and set the race up for the selection. Expect the price to contract, get on whilst possible at 3/1

Good luck! The Horse Whisperer