Neil Morrice Doncaster St Leger Festival Day 1 – 11 September 2025

DONCASTER ST LEGER FESTIVAL DAY 1 BEST BETS THURSDAY

DONCASTER

Race 1 No4 ROGUE TEMPTATION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey:

ROGUE TEMPTATION needed her first start at York and built on that to win at Haydock and dead heat for second behind Dandana at Ripon. Early interference might have cost her that day, and what marks the run as good is the distance back to the fourth. She’s up against some equally promising types in this fillies’ nursery, but figures to go well for a stable amongst the winners. The William Haggas-trained GWEN JOHN looks one of several dangers and is fancied to bounce back from her odds-on defeat at Carlisle. Hat-trick seeking BRISK SYMPHONY can also get into the argument, while it’s hard to ignore top weight and race favourite HALF SOVEREIGN, whose stable is on a hot streak.

Prediction: 1st ROGUE TEMPTATION, 2nd Gwen John, 3rd Brisk Symphony, 4th Half Sovereign

Race 2 No2 BRUSSELS (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey:

Wootton Bassett colt BRUSSELS sets the standard for the others to aim at in this valuable Sales race. He justified a rise in class after scoring on his Curragh debut to place in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket and the Listed Churchill Stakes at Tipperary. That form makes him a stand out on form, although he will require a certain amount of luck in running in this big field. SONG OF THE CLYDE gave Clive Cox his third straight win in the equivalent race at York and this Sergei Prokofiev colt needs respecting from his high draw. JEL PEPPER brings good form to the table and might have raced too freely at Naas. If settling he can pose a threat.

Prediction: 1st BRUSSELS, 2nd Jel Pepper, 3rd Song a of The Clyde

Race 3 BETFRED MAY HILL STAKES (Group 2)

No4 ROSE GHAIYYATH (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

After making a telling impression on her Deauville introduction, ROSE GHAIYYATH can consolidate in this jump into Group company. Under Christophe Soumillon she produced gritty determination to land the spoils and she now has the talented Billy Loughnane doing the steering over a quarter mile longer trip that should play to her strengths. MOON TARGET failed to handle the track when second in the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. She had earlier impressed on both starts for Sir Mark Prescott and with the one that beat her defecting from this she will almost certainly go off favourite. Aidan O’Brien saddles SUGAR ISLAND, who after running too free on her latest outing at the Curragh now stretches out to a mile under Christophe Soumillon, a trip that she almost certainly wants.

Prediction: 1st ROSE GHAIYYATH, 2nd Moon Target, 3rd Sugar Island

Race 4 BETFRED PARK HILL STAKES (Group 2)

No2 DANIELLE
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: James Doyle

On a belated first run of the season DANIELLE made a good fist of it to chase home Waardah in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood. Only three quarters of a length separated the pair, while it was over four lengths back to the third home, Goodie Two Shoes. The run showed that the selection needs this mile and threequarter these days, and it’s teed her up nicely for some soft ground staying targets through the autumn. Her stablemate CREPE SUZETTE went down in a photo in the mile and a half Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes at York and should also benefit from a step up in trip. She gives Clarehaven Stables a great chance of making this a third success in the race in the past five years, with a third representative QUEENS FORT looking outclassed. CONSENT finished strongly in second in a Group 3 at Deauville and won’t mind extra, while she is bred to also enjoy cut in the ground, and rates a big threat to the selection.

Prediction: 1st DANIELLE, 2nd Consent, 3rd Crepe Suzette

Race 5 No9 HOT CASH (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

HOT CASH has been waiting for the juice in the ground that should greet him in this Class2 over an extended mile and a quarter. Vital to his winning chance as well as the going is the 400 metres longer trip. He’s been crying out for it, and might be given more of a chance than has been the case on his last two outings. He works very well at home, and gives the impression he will benefit from racing handily rather than actually leading. RESPOND has been popular in the market and could be a joker in the pack granted how well the form of his Haydock maiden has worked out. He can put in an earning run on this first handicap assignment along with FIRST PRINCIPLE. The recent Windsor scorer is probably unlucky not to be unbeaten, and has a tongue tie added. Richard Fahey’s CASTLE STUART could however prove the biggest danger, as his first run for the trainer was filled with promise, whilst the form looks rock solid.

Prediction: 1st HOT CASH, 2nd Castle Stuart, 3rd Respond, 4th First Principle

Race 6 No5 REVERBORATE
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee

This is a hot nurse, but the one I keep coming back to is REVERBORATE. The Night Of Thunder colt landed some good bets at Catterick in a manner which suggested he’d gone a long way forward and looks one to follow now in a handicap. CROWN OF LIGHT is a pea out of the same pod, making the step into nurseries with form that’s been franked. Although still a maiden, MR WRITER takes the eye and can play a part in the outcome providing he settles. His trainer is going through a purple patch.

Prediction: 1st REVERBORATE, 2nd Crown Of Light, 3rd Mr Writer

Race 7 No5 CREST OF FIRE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop

CREST OF FIRE has had a few chances, but based on the standard of his work at home the grey can take away a cheque in a tricky nightcap. Godolphin’s PACIFICA PIER made a good fist of defying a penalty for his first win in a Newmarket novice and has to be respected as a warm favourite but at longer and more inviting odds DAYDREAMA can get into the shake-up, as he had a lot to do at York and will probably benefit from this slightly longer trip for Tim Easterby.

Prediction: 1st CREST OF FIRE, 2nd Pacifica Pier, 3rd Daydreama