13th September 2012

The second day of the St Leger meeting brings with it a whole new set of challenges. The majority of the racing is extremely open with large field handicaps that can ultimately result in any horse winning. Nonetheless, The Horse Whisperer is here to help decipher today's racing and find some winners for the ever growing group of followers. It is at this point that I would like to thank all of you that have begun following this service, and can only hope you have been able to enjoy some of the wins already advertised on here.

13.15 Doncaster

Day 2 starts with a ridiculously wide open nursery race, similar to the first race won by Regal Dan yesterday. However, that first race has indicated that a certain string of form, behind Mary's Daughter, is working out well. Consequently, this race can be narrowed down to the top weight Indignant, PURE EXCELLENCE, Steer By The Stars and Annecdote. The first three have varying form in defeat to Mary's Daughter, however where it differs is that whilst Indignant and Pure Excellence were conceding weight to the filly, Steer By Stars was off level weights. As a result the first two are preferred, although Steer By The Stars will definitely appreciate the 6.5 furlongs and should be staying on at the end whilst other horses may be beaten. The race the other two were involved in was the race Regal Dan finished third in; a race which also highlighted future winner The Taj and Burning Blaze, who finished a length ahead of another winner yesterday, Cour Valant. It therefore does have a solid look to it, and out of the two, you have to stick with Pure Excellence. Receiving 5 pounds from Indignant in that race, Pure Excellence finished 2.5 lengths ahead, and finished much stronger. On today's terms, the horse receives 6 pounds, and combined with the added half a furlong, there seems little reason for the form to be overturned. The only potential spanner in the works is Annecdote, who arguably has the best form behind Light Up My Life and Maureen, as well as racing against countless other subsequent winners. However it looks as if Pure Excellence will cope with conditions better tomorrow and has more of a turn of foot and will be the tentative bet in this tricky opener. 16/1

13.50 Doncaster

Another hard race to call but this one has a bit more class about it. Furthermore it historically has paid to side with the 3yos, especially as only Bonnie Brae from the older horses looks competitive and she would probably appreciate a bit more cut in the ground. Of the 3yos, there are several in with a chance, including improvers such as Appealing & I'm So Glad and underperformers Gamliati and Inetrobil. However the race may ultimately come down to Regal Realm and SENTARIL. When winning at Goodwood recently, it didn't look as if the extra 3 pounds Regal Realm has to race with today would slow her down, and although finishing last of 7th last time out, she was still only 3 lengths behind Producer who she was conceding a pound too. However, Sentaril will have been laid out for this race ever since disappointing over an unsuitable soft ground, 6 furlongs under Kelly Harrison at York. The step back up to 7 furlongs, on quicker going, with Murtagh in the saddle should see the return to form of the Jersey Stakes 2nd. A race let's not forget that included Valbchek, who finished 6th behind Sole Power yesterday when 5 furlongs was far too short; saw Sovereign Debt and Red Duke go on to perform well in Group company; and had the aforementioned Producer behind, although Sentaril did receive 3 pounds that day. However with the penalty Regal Realm has to carry, this should mean Sentaril has a bit in hand. 4/1

14.20 Doncaster

The jackpot fund of the day sees another large field complicate matters but there are a few the focus will naturally fall upon. Parliament Square ran well last time out behind arguably this season's top juvenile Reckless Abandon. The form took a knock last week though with George Vancouver's run, and having to concede weight all around looks extremely tough for the O'Brien runner, especially after already losing to Hototo who now receives nearly a stone from Parliament Square. Hototo has been running extremely well this year and should enjoy the conditions and extra distance tomorrow. He rates a big threat, but the absence of regular jockey Phil Makin is a concern, especially when towards the end of the race, it may get you that extra length having someone on board who truly knows the horse. Instead the race comes down to two horses, Flyman, who Richard Fahey is rightly so very keen on, and THE GOLD CHEONGASM. Flyman has some very interesting form by beating Odooj, someone who has run well against Monday winner Cay Verde. However, the favourite has snuck in on a ridiculous weight and should take all the beating here. Finishing only 5 lengths behind the talented but sadly missed Newfangled, this filly went on to secure wins over opposition including several future winners of which one was that horse again, Mary's Daughter, who she gave 5 pounds to. Buick and Dettori, past jockeys on the selection, would love to be riding it, but aren't low enough in the weights to get on board. Although Norton has not ridden the horse before, the sheer weight she receives will make her extremely hard to pass and there is more confidence in her seeing out the extended 6 furlongs than Flyman. 11/4

14.55 Doncaster

I was hugely impressed with ESTIMATE at Royal Ascot, but not totally surprised to see her come undone at Goodwood last time out. She is a big striding horse and a genuine stayer, and the Goodwood track does not suit that type of animal. Doncaster on the other hand does, so much so that with the extra 2 pounds in hand, I can see her reversing form with Wild Coco, even without Moore in the saddle. I'm sure his Betfair column when released later this morning will further highlight her strong claims, and I can see her carrying on Sir Michael Stoute's great record in this race. They are the two to focus on in this race, although Ambivalent could make an impact on proceedings. 3/1

16.05 Doncaster

Another desperately difficult handicap to unravel, but SOHRAAB has been followed all year regularly running well of difficult top weights. His last run behind Ballista was also decent, and with that horse's recent win, Sohraab is a worthy small each way bet at 16/1.

16.35 Doncaster
The final race of the day may look like a heads up between Trade Storm and BLACK SPIRIT, but the other horses in the race certainly possess enough about them to make it an interesting contest. Receiving 10 pounds should ensure Resurge isn't left for dead as they turn for home, and Spanish Duke's form behind Danadana hints at ability. But neither of these horses has the consistency of the other two, and that is something that the Gatewood form, the central basis of Black Spirit's season, possesses. Being able to give weight to, and run so close to, a genuine Group horse in Gatewood ensures that Black Spirit stands out more for me than his market rival, especially with the fine form Clive Cox's horses have come into. Furthermore, his level of form over the 10 furlongs is better than Trade Storm's and I will be happy to take the favourite on. 3/1

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer