Neil Morrice Doncaster St Leger Festival Day 3– 12 September 2026

DONCASTER ST LEGER FESTIVAL DAY 3 BEST BETS SATURDAY

Race 1 BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES

No10 ROYAL QUEST

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

Balding has excelled with the juveniles owned by Saeed Suhail and Camelot colt ROYAL QUEST could have the wherewithal to cope with his lack of previous racecourse experience and take the spoils in a low key opener, at the main expense of paper favourite AL JABBAR.

Race 2 BETFRED CHAMPAGNE STAKES (Group 2)

No3 GENTLE HURRICANE

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson

GENTLE HURRICANE impressed on his Salisbury introduction where he looked stronger the further he travelled. He handled a step up the class ladder to make the smart Haffner fight for the spoils in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. The Invincible Spirit colt didn’t help himself by racing keenly in the early stages, but if settling should give the much vaunted DESERT CASTLE plenty to think about in a race that his trainer has dominated in recent years. The latter, a son of Frankel, looked the part on his winning introduction at Newmarket and will be more streetwise. The Coolmore runner SERGEI DIAGHILEV can also get involved.

Prediction: 1st GENTLE HURRICANE, 2nd Desert Castle, 3rd Sergei Diaghilev

Race 3 BETFRED PORTLAND HANDICAP

No2 GETREADYTORUMBLE

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand

I thought at the start of the season GETREADYTORUMBLE would emerge as a proper Group class sprinter and the flagship of Jack Channon’s West Ilsley operation. That’s not happened, although there have been genuine excuses for three of the grey’s defeats. And when beaten into second off a mark of 100 at Ascot last time he again lost valuable ground before finishing strongly when the winner had flown. His family like to get their feet into the ground, and under Marquand, who knows him well, I’m expecting a big run. The application of a visor has assisted TWILIGHT CALLS to score on three of four occasions including at Glorious Goodwood. He’s 4lb higher for that but should nevertheless get into the shake up. APOLLO ONE finds hinself on a dangerous mark following a blank season so far, and as a horse that’s ready to win a saver on the chestnut is recommended. AIR FORCE ONE did us a good turn when scoring at York, and should also enjoy the make and shape of this. He’s more than capable of taking away a decent sized cheque.

Prediction: 1st GETREADYTORUMBLE, 2nd Apollo One, 3rd Twilight Calls, 4th Air Force One

Race 4 BETFRED PARK STAKES (Group 2)

No1 MORE THUNDER

Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand

MORE THUNDER deserves to pick up a Group race and this looks the perfect platform from which he can achieve it. The Night Of Thunder entire needs the cards to fall right as he’s a closer who hasn’t been helped by muddling paces in some of his races this year. That said he’s finished second in two Group 1s over a mile, while his stable can do little wrong. Sussex Stakes winner QIRAT will ensure there’s a strong pace from the get go, meaning the drop to 1400 metres could be just what the doctor ordered for the selection. NEVER SO BRAVE performs in the same ownership as More Thunder and is my idea of the flip side of the exacta. Things didn’t go to plan for him in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury but this is his optimum trip, while he is a Group 1 winner.

Prediction: 1st MORE THUNDER, 2nd Never So Brave, 3rd Qirat

Race 5 BETFRED ST LEGER (Group 1)

No4 ENCELADUS (Nap)

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

As a rapidly improving Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood winner in 2026 there’s plenty to like about ENCELADUS, who has dominated ante post exchanges for our Final Classic. In the old Niarchos silks the Sea The Stars colt has enjoyed an unbeaten campaign whilst looking the real deal with his clear cut triumph in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes. Once getting to the front he never looked like relinquishing his advantage, with the mile and a half trip proving no problem whatsoever. He’s bred to enjoy this longer trip, is effective on this ground and has title race leader Billy Loughnane in his saddle. Aidan O’Brien has assembled a four strong team to try to thwart his son, spearheaded by CHRISTMAS DAY. The Betfred Derby winner seemed to hit a flat spot before rallying when on trial for this in the Great Voltigeur. That augurs well for his ability to get a mile and threequarters, but i’m not as certain he can reverse Irish Derby and York placings with his stablemate PIERRE BONNARD. Though grabbed by Maltese Cross on the Knavesmire the last-named colt should profit from the extra yardage he encounters today. At longer odds there’s certain logic in putting HATTEEN into all combinations as he is an unexposed improver who was perhaps unlucky not to win at Goodwood, when carried across the course in the closing stages of a Class2 handicap.

Prediction: 1st ENCELADUS, 2nd Pierre Bonnard, 3rd Hatteen, 4th Christmas Day

Race 6 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP

No7 MEZCALA (Each Way)

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass

MEZCALA goes to post for this race on the straight mile with a point to prove, but if turning up on his A-game he’s capable of achieving it. The Royal Ascot winner wasn’t given the best of rides when returning to that course last month and is better than he showed. He has the ability to do well in this but needs to enjoy the rub of the green. BLUE COURVOISIER benefitted from an enterprising ride when winning at York, and having done us a good turn that day has to go into all calculations with Rossa Ryan retaining the mount. SCOVILLE has the look of a well treated horse. He experienced breathing issues after competing at Group 2 level when he was too keen for his own good, but he relaxed beautifully before arriving late for a podium finish on his latest start at Newbury. That indicates he’s a winner waiting to happen.

Prediction: 1st MEZCALA, 2nd Scoville, 3rd Blue Courvoisier

Race 7 P J TOWEY HANDICAP

No10 TOUCH THE MOON

Trainer: William Durkan – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

In the colours popularised by Arkle winner Anaglog’s Daughter back in the 80s, TOUCH THE MOON needs respecting with Saffie Osborne giving extra lustre to his chance. The recent Dundalk winner is 2lb higher but arrives with his tail up for this clash with TAWAJJAH.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)