Neil Morrice Doncaster St Leger Festival Day 2 – 11 September 2026

DONCASTER ST LEGER FESTIVAL DAY 2 BEST BETS FRIDAY

Race 1 BETFRED FLYING SCOTSMAN STAKES (Listed)

No8 FORBIDDEN FIRE (Each Way)

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Two fillies oppose seven colts in an interesting opener with FORBIDDEN FIRE taken to put one on the board for the fairer sex. The daughter of No Nay Never made the perfect start when landing a Salisbury novice by five and a half lengths, and while it’s questionable what she beat there’s no doubting it was an impressive performance. NABATI had to work to catch Tawakal at Newbury when backed as if defeat was out of the question. A winner of two of his three starts, he races as though the step up to 1400 metres won’t pose any problems. ROCK MONTREAL looked better the further he travelled when scoring at Yarmouth and should have learned plenty from it. He will also benefit from the longer trip today.

Prediction: 1st FORBIDDEN FIRE, 2nd Nabati, 3rd Rock Montreal

Race 2 BETFRED LEGER LEGENDS CLASSIFIED STAKES

No2 ANTHROPOLOGIST (Each Way)

Trainer: Michael Herrington- Jockey: Sammy Jo Bell

Although he has raced almost exclusively on the all-weather in his short time with Herrington, ANTHROPOLOGIST deserves another crack at a grass contest for which he appears well suited in this race for former jockeys. He brings three consecutive earning efforts on sand to the table and can show that he’s effective over the 1600 metres trip by turning the tables on his Newcastle conqueror NYMAN with whom he enjoys a pull in the weights. BERRY CLEVER is a consistent earner who goes well in the soft, whose connections won’t mind further rain.

Prediction: 1st ANTHROPOLOGIST, 2nd Berry Clever, 3rd Nyman

Race 3 CARLSBERG DANISH PILSNERS FLYING CHILDERS STAKES (Group 2)

No12 PERSHAADA (Nap

Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey

The ploy of running PERSHAADA in a race as competitive as the Nunthorpe backfired at York but now back in her own division this lightning fast filly can regather her mojo. She produced a telling change of gear to land Goodwood’s Molecomb Stakes and her trainer believes it’s best to put a line through the York run, as she was unsuited by the hurly burly nature of the race. Following a couple of heavy defeats at the Curragh CARRY THE FLAG belied his 150-1 odds to finish closest to the impressive Signorita Bonita in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville.if he can prove that was no fluke he’s the one that can cause most problems to the selection. FINAL OBJECTIVE learned plenty when breaking his maiden by a wide margin at Thirsk and was the one to make race of it with Arapaho Gold in the Group 2 Gimcrack at York. That’s strong form which if repeated puts him right in the picture.

Prediction: 1st PERSHAADA, 2nd Carry The Flag, 3rd Final Objective

Race 4 BETFRED HOWARD WRIGHT DONCASTER CUP (Group 2)

No8 WINDAY

Trainer: Emmet Mullins – Jockey: William Buick

The Cup has a different look to it with Irish trained WINDAY a horse with untapped potential taking a big step up the class ladder which he can surmount. Formerly based in France the Galway gelding troubled the judge in three outings over hurdles for that country’s champion trainer. Under Mullins he made an immediate impact, stretching clear in a Ffos Las novice and leaving the impression there could be a lot more to come in this huge class hike. As a value alternative EPIC POET makes some appeal even though he finished towards the back in last month’s Ebor. This strong traveller is worth trying over the Cup distance.

Prediction: 1st WINDAY, 2nd Epic Poet, 3rd Caballo De Mar

Race 5 BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF PREMIER FILLIES’ HANDICAP

No3 SILVER LAKE

Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: James Doyle

It’s proved to be a bountiful summer for SILVER LAKE who has a great chance to stretch her winning sequence to four for a Haggas stable that can do little wrong. The grey opened her account at Salisbury, followed up at Glorious Goodwood and nailed the hat-trick when heavily supported at York. She’s taken a hike in the ratings but will probably be just as effective over today’s 400 metres longer trip. RUBY WEDDING has carded both her career wins on grass and is proven at the trip. In current form she rates a danger to the selection for the Balding/Murphy combination. Another must include for exotics is SALAMANCA CITY who is a three times winner this season and twice over a mile and a half. Her trainer James Fanshawe is a dab hand at improving a three-year-old filly at this stage of the season.

Prediction: 1st SILVER LAKE, 2nd Ruby Wedding, 3rd Salamanca City

Race 6 COOPERS EBF MAIDEN FILLIES’ STAKES

No5 VICTORIA NIGHT

Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey

A disappointing turnout for this sees VICTORIA NIGHT handed a big opportunity to open her account. The Night Of Thunder filly cruised through much of her first race at Sandown before succumbing to Tall Trees up the rising ground. This course should play more to her strengths and allow her to see out the 1400 metres.

Race 7 TANBRY CONSTRUCTION NURSERY

No1 INNICHEN

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand

Luck deserted INNICHEN when after a tardy start he had too much to do at Goodwood and again at Sandown where he blew the start but finished with a flourish. The grey needs to enjoy an overdue rub of the green if he’s to make amends but granted his ability backing him is a risk worth taking. BERESFORD GAP went close to landing a gamble at Southwell on just a third start for Andrew Balding. He has scope for progression on this first handicap assignment and could have been let in lightly. SUPER TUSCAN is closely matched with HENLEY ON THAMES on York form where a neck separated them. Taking into account his rider’s 7lb claim the first named colt could turn the tables.

Prediction: 1st INNICHEN, 2nd Beresford Gap, 3rd Super Tuscan, 4th Henley On Thames

Race 8 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP

No2 ALMEKAREM (Each Way)

Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris

ALMEKAREM races without the handicapper taking full account of his good performance when second at Epsom where he finished strongly. He’s preferred to dual purpose performer AMANCIO who I fancy to outrun his long odds for trainer Faye Bramley. FANS FAVOURITE is a three times scorer on turf this season who looked to have plenty in hand at Beverley last time. He’s 4lb higher but is a young improving horse who has the champion jockey in his saddle.

Prediction: 1st ALMEKAREM, 2nd Amancio, 3rd Fans Favourite