ONE bet, one winner last week for Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83), now his focus takes in the St Leger.
15:10 Doncaster | Channel 4
The Saint Gobain Weber Park Stakes is a 7 furlong Group 2 and of the eight runners seven look to hold claims of winning this. It looks quite open but there is one in here that I quite like.
Richard Pankhurst is favourite for this and he finally lived up to his reputation with a good win in the Hungerford Stakes last time out. There didn't appear to be any fluke to that victory and if you take that form literally he will go close even with his penalty, however I want to see him repeat that form before I fully trust him and I'm prepared to take him on today.
Toormore was a one time top class miler who looks on the decline and I think he will struggle here again. He has some serious Group 1 form to his name through the years and at his best he wins this and wins well. However I'm not interested in him as a betting proposition until he shows some of his old spark.
The one I'm going to take a chance on here is Buckstay. A hardened handicapper he has ran some top races down the years and he ran with credit when stepped up to Group level at Goodwood.
He broke slowly that day and couldn't get competitive but showed he has the talent for this level running on strongly late on. He won a decent little race on the all weather last time out where he raced prominently and if he can start on terms today I make him a solid each way bet in a race that looks wide open.
15:45 Doncaster | Channel 4
The St Leger is the final Classic of the season and though it's a decent little race it's looks at the mercy of Idaho who's form is a cut above his rivals but at odds on he's not for everyone so let's take a look and see if there is value elsewhere.
I like Idaho. I think he is a very good colt and I expect him to win this unless the going turns heavy. He was third and second in the English and Irish Derby's respectively and won the main Leger trial at York in good style. He is likely to improve for that run and should stay this trip so I wouldn't put anyone off backing him but I'm looking for some value each way.
Muntahaa won at Chester last time out and he looks like he will improve for the extra distance and the more conventional track. He still has a lot to find with the favourite however the trainer knows what it takes to win this and his jockey was bullish during the week. However he does need to improve considerably to land this and I think others interest me more.
Housesofparliment is not one of Aidan O'Briens superstars but he is gradually improving and ran a great race in the Dante behind Idaho last time out. He shapes like he'll enjoy the extra distance and is another who could place here. He is likely to run a solid race however I prefer another Ballydoyle inmate in this.
Sword Fighter is a young stayer who will relish every inch of this trip and I don't think his form leaves him with much to find to end up in the places here. He won two races in a row including the Queen Vase before running a solid race at Goodwood and looks like he needs cut in the ground to be at his best.
With rain expected before the off he will get the ground he requires and in a race where there could be plenty of pace here may the the one who stays best and I am backing him each way here.
Best Bets
15:10 Doncaster – Buckstay each way (9/1 BetVictor)
15:45 Doncaster – Sword Fighter each way (12/1 BetVictor)
