Neil Morrice Doncaster St Leger Festival Day 4– 13 September 2026

DONCASTER ST LEGER FESTIVAL DAY 4 BEST BETS SUNDAY

Race 1 LAND OF LIGHTS FESTIVAL AT GULLIVERS HANDICAP

No12 HYPNOTISED

Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds

Favourite backers can enjoy a good start to the final day of the Leger Festival courtesy of the Juddmonte owned HYPNOTISED. A strongly made individual, he is yet to win this season but put up a good fight when second on his latest start at Newbury and is 3lb higher for that narrow defeat. He gives a resounding impression that there will be more to come.

Race 2 BETFRED THE CLASSIC BOOKMAKERS HANDICAP

No2 CRESTOFDISTINCTION (Each Way)

Trainer: Jack a Channon – Jockey: David Probert

Although he’s been out of form in two starts in 2026, CRESTOFDISTINCTION looks over priced for this 1200 metres sprint. He was 20 lengths adrift of the winner when in the ruck in a Group 2 at York back in May and has subsequently been given a long break from which he’s capable of upping his game. The fact he targeted a Group 2 tells you how much Channon thinks of him, although he nevertheless comes with risks attached.

Race 3 BETFRED CITY OF DONCASTER HANDICAP

No11 RAGING RAJ (Each Way)

Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds

Herrington hasn’t had much luck here this week and especially with ANTHROPOLOGIST whose pilot finished with a full horse under her in Friday’s Legends race. Hopefully RAGING RAJ can give the Lincolnshire trainer something to smile about by earning in this 1400 metres Class2 up the straight course. The selection went close to defying an 11lb rise for his Thirsk triumph when second to First Legion at Ascot which is very good form to bring to the table. He’s up another 1lb for that, but I expect him to be competitive.

Race 4 JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION SCEPTRE FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 3)

No8 FORTY YEARS ON (Nap)

Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Hector Crouch

The best bet of the day is FORTY YEARS ON. The daughter of Mayson is the apple of her trainer’s eye and it’s easy to understand why when you look at her record of being unbeaten in five races on turf, latterly when running away with a Class2 in easy conditions at Goodwood. She picked up a minor injury when scoring here in March last year but when returning to racecourse action this summer has looked the real deal. She weaved past rivals as if they were standing still in a Class3 at Newbury and followed it up in similarly convincing fashion last time. Cut in the ground is important to her and she should get it. Coronation Stakes runner-up TOULEEN is probably her main barrier to further success though I think THE PRETTIEST STAR also needs respecting as her run in a Group 3 at Deauville last time is better than it looks on paper.

Prediction: 1st FORTY YEARS ON, 2nd The Prettiest Star, 3rd Touleen

Race 5 BETFRED MALLARD HANDICAP

No4 TEAM PLAYER (Each Way)

Trainer: Ewan Whillans – Jockey: Greg Fairley

This long-standing part of the Leger fixture can see TEAM PLAYER putting his best foot forward. The chestnut has served two trainers well since being purchased at the Sales, and with Whillans has been ambitiously campaigned. He was too free for his own good at York last time, and while it’s easy to think the handicapper has caught up with him I’m keen to give him the chance to prove the form to be all wrong.

Race 6 I LOVE JULIE PARKES HANDICAP (Div 1)

No10 TIRIAC (Each Way)

Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Ryan Sexton

In his time with Midgley TIRIAC has to a large degree taken on the mantle of being a ‘job’ horse. As a confirmed hold up horse the soft ground specialist frequently finds trouble in running, but he recorded one of his most impressive wins as a two-year-old on this terrain, and if getting the breaks can put this race to bed.

Race 7 I LOVE JULIE PARKES HANDICAP (Div 2)

No10 TANJEN (Each Way)

Trainer: Tim Easterby- Jockey: Jake Dickson

Bottom weight TANJEN has been in good heart in recent weeks, recording a clear cut success at Hamilton and then troubling the judge at that same track and at York. She possibly would have finished closer had her pilot delayed his challenge on the Knavesmire, and has every chance of taking away another decent sized cheque, having handled a step up in grade that day.

Race 8 DUNCAN PIERCE MEMORIAL APPRENTICE HANDICAP

No12 CHARLIE MASON ( Each Way)

Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Cian Horgan

Horgan is an interesting booking for CHARLIE MASON, whose form at Grade 1 tracks like Sandown and Goodwood reads well in the context of the task in front of him today. He is a speculative advice to trouble the judge at fancy odds in the ‘lucky last’.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)